The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and to other EU member states except Ireland.[1] The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schengen area.
The Schengen Area consists of 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries that are members of EFTA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Cyprus, while an EU member state, is not yet part of the Schengen Area but, nonetheless, has a visa policy that is partially based on the Schengen acquis.[2]
Ireland has opted out of the Schengen Agreement and instead operates its own visa policy, as do certain overseas territories of Schengen member states.
Nationals of EU single market countries are not only visa-exempt but are legally entitled to enter and reside in each other's countries. However, their right to freedom of movement in each other's countries can be limited in a reserved number of situations, as prescribed by EU treaties.
See main article: Directive 2004/38/EC on the right to move and reside freely.
Since 2001, the European Union has issued a list of countries whose nationals need visas (Annex I) and a list of those who do not (Annex II). The two lists are also adopted by Cyprus, despite not being part of the Schengen Area yet.[10]
Nationals of the following countries and territories holding ordinary passports may enter the Schengen Area and Cyprus without a visa, for short stays (usually 90 days within any 180-day period):[11]
| valign=top | valign=top |
Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state or Monaco may also travel to other Schengen states, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.[26] [27] [28] Short-stay visas issued by a Schengen state are also valid for all other Schengen states unless marked otherwise.[26]
Holders of a double or multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state or Monaco may also travel to Cyprus without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, except nationals of Turkey and Azerbaijan, who still need a Cypriot visa.[10] However, visas and residence permits issued by Cyprus are not valid for travel to the Schengen Area.[29]
Individuals of any nationality who are family members of EU single market nationals and are in possession of a residence card indicating their status are exempt from the requirement to hold a visa when entering the EU single market when they are accompanying their EU single market family member or are seeking to join them.[30]
Currently the local border traffic regulation agreements exist with Belarus (with Latvia since 2011), Moldova (with Romania since 2010), Russia (with Norway since 2012,[36] with Latvia since 2013 and Poland 2012-2016) and Ukraine (with Hungary and Slovakia since 2008, Poland since 2009 and Romania since 2015). Agreement between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is pending ratification but is applied on provisional basis.[37]
There are no common visa lists for holders of diplomatic and official passports. States may still maintain different policies on these.[25]
In general, a passenger who transits through one single airport in the Schengen Area and Cyprus while remaining airside in the international transit area less than one day will not require a visa (transit privilege). This only applies if the transfer is possible without leaving the international transit area, which depends on the connecting flight and airport layout.[44]
However, on 5 April 2010, common visa requirements for airport transit were introduced by the European Union.[45] Nationals of the following 12 countries are required to hold an airport transit visa (ATV) when transiting through any airport in the Schengen Area or Cyprus, even if they remain airside:[46]
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Additionally, individual Schengen countries can impose airport transit visa requirements for nationals of other countries in urgent cases of mass influx of illegal immigrants.[48] For example, nationals of Syria need ATVs for many but not all Schengen countries.
Schengen visas can be issued by any member state of the Schengen Area. Travellers must apply to the embassy or consulate of the country which they intend to visit. In cases of travellers visiting multiple countries in the Schengen Area, travellers must apply to their main destination's embassy or consulate.[50] If the main destination cannot be determined, the traveller should apply for the visa at the embassy of the Schengen member state of first entry. Often, external service providers are contracted by certain diplomatic missions to process, collect and return visa applications.
Schengen visa applications may not be submitted more than six months prior to the proposed date of entry into the Schengen Area.[51] All countries' embassies may require applicants to provide biometric identifiers (ten fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of the visa application process to be stored on the Visa Information System (VIS). Biometric identifiers are not collected from children under the age of 12.[52] Travellers applying for a Schengen visa for the first time must apply in person and are subject to an interview by the consular officers. If biometric identifiers have been provided within the past 59 months, the applicant may not be required to provide biometric identifiers again. Providing that the visa application is admissible and there are no issues with the application, a decision must be given within 15 calendar days of the date on which the application was lodged.[53]
The standard application fee for a Schengen visa is EUR 90. There is a reduced fee of EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12, and no fee for children under age 6, for applicants intending to undertake study, educational training or scientific research, and for applicants under age 25 representing non-profit organisations. In some cases the visa fee may be waived for children under age 18, for holders of diplomatic and service passports, and for applicants under age 25 participating in events by non-profit organisations, and may be waived or reduced in order to 'promote cultural or sporting interests, interests in the field of foreign policy, development policy and other areas of vital public interest, or for humanitarian reasons or because of international obligations'. If the applicant's country of nationality is considered not to be cooperating on the readmission of irregular migrants, the visa fee may be increased up to EUR 180, except for children under age 12. If a visa application is submitted to an external service provider, an additional service fee up to EUR 120 may be required.[54]
Schengen visas are valid for any country in the Schengen Area unless marked otherwise.[26] Cyprus also accepts double and multiple-entry Schengen visas, for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, except for nationals of Turkey and Azerbaijan.[10] However, visas issued by Cyprus are not valid for travel to the Schengen Area.[29]
The Schengen Convention and Schengen Borders Code permit member states to require third-country nationals to report their presence to a police station within 3 working days of crossing an internal border.[55] This requirement varies by country and can usually be performed by hotels instead.
Since the global loosening of COVID-19 lockdown rules and the rebound in travel demand, Schengen nation embassies have come under immense criticism for long visa processing times and unavailability of visa appointments.[56] [57] The general lack of competition for visa outsourcing contracts, which are dominated by companies such as VFS Global, BLS International and TLScontact, has also been blamed for the poor service.[58]
This has partly spurred the EU to further digitalise the process. It is planning to introduce a unified online visa application platform at the EU and Schengen level, replacing the separated national platforms. The platform will be built by eu-LISA and is scheduled to be introduced in 2026. A transition period for all member states to migrate to the single platform is scheduled to last until 2031.[59] The European Parliament voted on 18 October 2023 to introduce the digital application system and for cryptographically signed visas. In almost all cases, applications for Schengen visas will be made through a single website.[60]
The EU has concluded visa facilitation agreements with several countries, which allow facilitated procedures for issuing visas for both EU citizens and nationals of partner countries. The facilitated procedures include faster visa processing times, reduced or no fees, and reduced list of supporting documents.[61] These agreements are also linked to readmission agreements that allow the return of people irregularly residing in the EU.[62]
| Visa facilitation agreements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Entry into force | Notes | |
| 1 January 2014 | |||
| 1 September 2014 | |||
| 1 July 2020 | Suspended for Belarusian government officials from 12 November 2021 | ||
| 1 December 2014 | Amended from 7 October 2021 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Visa waiver from 15 December 2010 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Visa waiver from 15 December 2010 | ||
| 1 March 2011 | Visa waiver from 28 March 2017 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Amended from 1 July 2013, visa waiver from 28 April 2014 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Visa waiver from 19 December 2009 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Visa waiver from 19 December 2009 | ||
| 1 June 2007 | Fully suspended from 9 September 2022 | ||
| 1 January 2008 | Visa waiver from 19 December 2009 | ||
| 1 July 2013 | Visa waiver from 11 June 2017 | ||
In exceptional cases, single-entry Schengen visas valid for up to 15 days may be issued on arrival at the border. These visas are reserved for individuals who can prove that they were unable to apply for a visa in advance due to time constraints arising out of 'unforeseeable' and 'imperative' reasons as long as they fulfil the regular criteria for the issuing of a Schengen visa.[63] However, if the individual requesting a Schengen visa at the border falls within a category of people for which it is necessary to consult one or more of the central authorities of other Schengen states, they may only be issued a visa at the border in exceptional cases on humanitarian grounds, on grounds of national interest or on account of international obligations (such as the death or sudden serious illness of a close relative or of another close person).[64] People trying this way to travel to the Schengen Area can be denied boarding by the airline because of the carrier's responsibility, which penalises airlines if they carry passengers who do not have the correct documentation.
In exceptional cases, Schengen states may issue visas with limited territorial validity (LTV), either specifically naming the state(s) for which it is valid or, inversely, the state(s) for which it is not valid. According to the Schengen Visa Code, member states may issue LTV visas when a consulate deems it justifiable to overcome the three-month limitation in six months, when a member state considers it necessary due to pressing circumstances to derogate from entry conditions as set by Schengen Borders Code, to overcome objections of other member states, or in cases of urgency.[65]
Schengen visas are only issued on travel documents of UN member states, Kosovo, Palestine, Taiwan, Vatican City, the Order of Malta, and certain international organisations (Council of Europe, EU, NATO, Red Cross, UN).[66] [67] [68] Belgium and France also accept the passport of Somaliland.[69] Passports of Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus, South Ossetia, Transnistria and Western Sahara are not accepted.[70]
Most Schengen visas, including visas with limited territorial validity, were issued at consulates of Schengen states located in the countries listed below.[71] Visas issued in a country were not necessarily for nationals of that country.
| Location of consulates | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | ||
| 459,198 | 10.6% | 604,926 | 10.2% | 514,655 | 3.2% | 635,663 | 2.6% | 4,055,698 | 1.5% | 3,632,492 | 1.6% | 3,827,191 | 1.4% | ||
| 1,043,591 | 5.5% | 80,048 | 9.3% | 24,320 | 8.7% | 202,384 | 4.8% | 2,847,214 | 3.8% | 2,708,477 | 3.7% | 2,447,309 | 3.3% | ||
| 881,257 | 16.1% | 647,691 | 15.7% | 221,125 | 16.9% | 198,312 | 12.7% | 813,498 | 9.7% | 800,706 | 8.5% | 905,021 | 6.5% | ||
| 811,642 | 15.8% | 541,440 | 18.3% | 98,036 | 23.3% | 138,670 | 16.9% | 1,013,839 | 10.8% | 975,858 | 9.4% | 837,542 | 8.6% | ||
| 437,795 | 23.8% | 283,020 | 29.7% | 103,660 | 27.6% | 135,868 | 23.6% | 545,903 | 21.0% | 530,758 | 18.4% | 514,860 | 15.4% | ||
| 158,121 | 3.4% | 118,557 | 1.9% | 57,500 | 1.1% | 134,834 | 0.3% | 643,669 | 0.3% | 677,173 | 0.3% | 710,723 | 0.3% | ||
| 399,223 | 6.0% | 333,636 | 5.2% | 161,955 | 4.3% | 43,063 | 8.4% | 368,188 | 5.7% | 327,747 | 7.7% | 312,016 | 5.5% | ||
| 300,906 | 35.6% | 192,639 | 48.2% | 84,336 | 32.0% | 87,676 | 38.0% | 376,151 | 43.3% | 385,930 | 45.7% | 503,794 | 35.7% | ||
| 379,848 | 5.7% | 261,173 | 4.2% | 66,007 | 5.0% | 70,878 | 8.1% | 259,788 | 4.4% | 267,937 | 1.5% | 259,509 | 1.4% | ||
| 252,090 | 6.7% | 189,600 | 8.2% | 27,826 | 13.3% | 70,484 | 8.0% | 323,112 | 3.9% | 319,974 | 3.4% | 293,522 | 3.1% | ||
| 5,329 | 13.0% | 28,747 | 2.7% | 188,810 | 2.7% | 94,594 | 5.1% | 186,036 | 5.8% | 182,522 | 4.7% | 694,714 | 3.7% | ||
| 192,949 | 4.8% | 155,580 | 5.3% | 22,903 | 6.1% | 31,646 | 6.3% | 217,170 | 3.3% | 215,305 | 2.4% | 201,546 | 2.1% | ||
| 195,810 | 5.5% | 125,330 | 5.1% | 25,654 | 5.2% | 44,837 | 3.2% | 221,921 | 2.4% | 205,581 | 1.8% | 195,996 | 1.4% | ||
| 187,846 | 5.9% | 143,671 | 5.1% | 75,150 | 2.7% | 59,796 | 5.0% | 172,132 | 8.3% | 159,937 | 8.3% | 157,850 | 7.1% | ||
| 177,213 | 22.8% | 143,553 | 22.7% | 58,303 | 22.1% | 32,802 | 20.6% | 182,468 | 18.8% | 176,409 | 18.1% | 169,680 | 16.7% | ||
| 122,882 | 24.0% | 112,718 | 30.3% | 44,721 | 24.8% | 49,796 | 29.0% | 181,228 | 24.9% | 186,566 | 18.6% | 171,685 | 16.8% | ||
| 166,923 | 6.7% | 138,371 | 5.0% | 51,027 | 3.3% | 16,739 | 8.2% | 153,428 | 5.9% | 165,575 | 4.9% | 158,341 | 4.7% | ||
| 111,084 | 30.3% | 100,170 | 25.2% | 20,509 | 20.1% | 25,892 | 36.2% | 148,780 | 33.5% | 190,478 | 29.7% | 209,531 | 19.6% | ||
| 139,519 | 25.2% | 133,888 | 18.9% | 45,513 | 17.0% | 33,456 | 21.6% | 159,919 | 19.1% | 148,649 | 20.3% | 139,070 | 18.1% | ||
| 169,502 | 3.8% | 112,946 | 4.2% | 29,786 | 4.5% | 28,115 | 3.8% | 164,120 | 3.0% | 154,510 | 2.0% | 136,977 | 1.1% | ||
| 144,129 | 9.0% | 96,590 | 8.2% | 18,077 | 11.0% | 29,516 | 10.0% | 160,417 | 7.0% | 149,636 | 4.8% | 147,480 | 3.7% | ||
| 95,001 | 18.3% | 80,285 | 18.5% | 41,446 | 21.3% | 26,342 | 24.4% | 136,439 | 13.6% | 135,407 | 12.2% | 137,615 | 9.2% | ||
| 105,460 | 12.7% | 108,049 | 11.2% | 39,600 | 11.0% | 20,076 | 21.5% | 88,448 | 18.8% | 71,257 | 21.6% | 72,756 | 19.6% | ||
| 90,918 | 12.1% | 71,924 | 8.7% | 2,104 | 5.3% | 10,494 | 12.8% | 122,137 | 11.7% | 114,036 | 9.5% | 93,870 | 10.4% | ||
| 87,387 | 14.8% | 70,060 | 11.2% | 41,527 | 4.7% | 14,088 | 10.6% | 86,504 | 8.0% | 83,085 | 8.0% | 76,488 | 8.5% | ||
| Total | 8,595,561 | 16.0% | 6,080,113 | 17.9% | 2,450,163 | 13.4% | 2,519,835 | 13.6% | 15,151,431 | 10.0% | 14,378,969 | 9.7% | 14,765,207 | 8.2% | |
| Issuing state | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | Visas issued | Refusal rate | ||
| 196,691 | 14.3% | 127,044 | 15.9% | 40,178 | 9.9% | 42,502 | 5.6% | 312,836 | 5.1% | 287,035 | 6.2% | 290,323 | 4.7% | ||
| 166,454 | 26.5% | 117,269 | 28.4% | 34,902 | 20.4% | 35,910 | 23.6% | 190,771 | 19.6% | 174,511 | 17.5% | 185,864 | 16.6% | ||
| 30,161 | 20.0% | ||||||||||||||
| 114,610 | 17.4% | 100,683 | 14.4% | 200,456 | 3.3% | 167,498 | 5.5% | 700,889 | 5.3% | 631,581 | 4.7% | 595,319 | 4.5% | ||
| 79,885 | 21.2% | 56,509 | 18.9% | 19,511 | 21.1% | 27,079 | 11.8% | 148,267 | 8.9% | 149,898 | 7.1% | 141,452 | 6.3% | ||
| 8,801 | 33.1% | 18,117 | 20.0% | 38,389 | 5.4% | 24,969 | 1.5% | 143,647 | 1.4% | 125,513 | 1.6% | 136,394 | 1.2% | ||
| 72,973 | 18.5% | 144,885 | 9.7% | 55,882 | 4.7% | 132,936 | 3.7% | 877,759 | 1.9% | 754,410 | 1.8% | 816,789 | 1.1% | ||
| 2,175,644 | 16.7% | 1,431,749 | 22.2% | 481,618 | 21.1% | 553,539 | 18.5% | 3,294,696 | 16.2% | 3,348,711 | 15.8% | 3,164,751 | 13.7% | ||
| 1,246,078 | 14.3% | 869,465 | 16.2% | 286,531 | 15.9% | 353,581 | 14.1% | 1,958,003 | 9.8% | 1,869,597 | 9.1% | 1,892,662 | 7.6% | ||
| 530,435 | 14.7% | 396,432 | 12.5% | 274,836 | 6.3% | 98,279 | 8.4% | 835,865 | 4.5% | 813,272 | 4.9% | 989,595 | 3.9% | ||
| 183,356 | 15.1% | 122,737 | 15.1% | 66,397 | 4.8% | 39,947 | 9.1% | 217,220 | 7.9% | 211,031 | 7.8% | 249,834 | 5.3% | ||
| 21,253 | 2.2% | 7,412 | 1.9% | 2,410 | 9.7% | 3,115 | 4.0% | 18,020 | 1.2% | 8,856 | 1.7% | 7,154 | 1.0% | ||
| 974,540 | 12.0% | 632,453 | 12.7% | 191,876 | 9.8% | 259,869 | 11.5% | 1,895,964 | 7.7% | 1,708,258 | 7.4% | 1,708,538 | 7.7% | ||
| 16,689 | 11.7% | 19,030 | 9.5% | 16,182 | 3.5% | 29,630 | 2.7% | 163,339 | 2.4% | 157,711 | 2.1% | 164,306 | 1.5% | ||
| 26,552 | 12.8% | 24,138 | 7.8% | 23,998 | 2.8% | 65,216 | 2.1% | 354,373 | 1.3% | 346,626 | 1.3% | 407,001 | 1.2% | ||
| 9,291 | 12.7% | 6,018 | 10.5% | 2,296 | 1.2% | 2,439 | 5.2% | 11,270 | 3.9% | 10,475 | 3.7% | 9,642 | 3.7% | ||
| 20,311 | 37.6% | 13,801 | 36.4% | 3,577 | 16.2% | 4,664 | 27.8% | 27,773 | 19.7% | 25,123 | 20.8% | 27,924 | 25.5% | ||
| 544,401 | 17.3% | 335,015 | 17.4% | 117,946 | 13.5% | 138,497 | 16.8% | 632,246 | 13.3% | 585,458 | 13.2% | 553,058 | 10.2% | ||
| 92,361 | 15.9% | 57,744 | 20.3% | 7,886 | 26.2% | 18,045 | 16.2% | 168,561 | 5.6% | 149,086 | 9.5% | 184,906 | 5.7% | ||
| 106,517 | 14.8% | 74,900 | 11.6% | 39,915 | 5.6% | 98,891 | 4.8% | 438,510 | 3.6% | 509,938 | 3.2% | 790,809 | 3.9% | ||
| 174,540 | 16.0% | 123,534 | 18.1% | 40,709 | 12.1% | 39,653 | 30.0% | 236,920 | 20.3% | 222,337 | 16.6% | 224,151 | 14.9% | ||
| 11,808 | 12.9% | 11,026 | 9.7% | 3,806 | 2.7% | 4,192 | 4.0% | 23,671 | 6.1% | 25,680 | 4.2% | 40,773 | 2.1% | ||
| 16,724 | 15.6% | 13,915 | 18.1% | 5,616 | 7.6% | 4,574 | 14.8% | 25,068 | 10.1% | 23,771 | 10.0% | 26,776 | 8.5% | ||
| 1,107,942 | 18.5% | 920,773 | 19.8% | 380,930 | 15.5% | 265,112 | 17.4% | 1,675,736 | 10.3% | 1,508,567 | 9.5% | 1,461,244 | 8.4% | ||
| 128,680 | 23.1% | 94,691 | 29.0% | 15,061 | 30.6% | 27,369 | 23.0% | 236,290 | 12.5% | 216,234 | 12.0% | 216,396 | 10.2% | ||
| 538,864 | 10.7% | 360,773 | 12.0% | 99,255 | 13.0% | 82,329 | 10.8% | 563,737 | 7.8% | 515,290 | 7.4% | 479,546 | 7.2% | ||
| Total | 8,595,561 | 16.0% | 6,080,113 | 17.9% | 2,450,163 | 13.4% | 2,519,835 | 13.6% | 15,151,431 | 10.0% | 14,378,969 | 9.7% | 14,765,207 | 8.2% | |
Armenia – In 2023, EU and Armenian officials discussed plans for visa liberalisation following their Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.[72] The European Commission officially launched a dialogue on visa liberalisation with Armenia in July 2024.[73]
Bahrain 
Kuwait 
Oman 
Qatar 
Saudi Arabia – In 2022, the EU Council proposed a visa exemption for nationals of all countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council that were not yet exempt.[74]
Belize – In 2024, EU and Belizean officials continued meeting to discuss a Schengen visa waiver.[75]
Ecuador – In 2022, the EU Parliament proposed a visa exemption for nationals of Ecuador.[76]
Fiji – In 2023, EU and Fijian officials met to discuss potential visa-free travel for nationals of Fiji to the Schengen Area.[77]
Guyana – In July 2023, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali stated that at least five EU countries had agreed to sponsor a proposal for a visa exemption for nationals of Guyana.[78]
Indonesia – In 2020, Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly met with ambassadors from 20 EU member states to discuss a reciprocal visa-free scheme.[79]
Maldives – In December 2022, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid discussed with EU diplomats the possibility of securing a visa waiver for Maldivian nationals wishing to enter the Schengen Area.[80]
Nauru – In 2014, the EU approved a visa waiver for nationals of several countries, including Nauru, contingent on a reciprocal agreement to be signed with each country. All of these countries, except Nauru, concluded such agreements by 2016.[81]
Serbia – In July 2024, the EU Council approved a regulation to include in the visa exemption for nationals of Serbia also holders of passports issued by the Coordination Directorate for Kosovo and Metohija, who had been previously excluded. The regulation was set to enter into force 20 days after its official publication.[84]
Thailand – In 2024, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with French President Emmanuel Macron and gained his support for a visa-free agreement with the EU.[85]
Turkey – In 2023, EU and Turkish officials met to discuss progress in the conditions for visa liberalisation.[86]
Vanuatu – The EU suspended its visa exemption for nationals of Vanuatu from 4 May 2022 until at least 3 February 2025. In May 2024, the EU Commission proposed permanently reintroducing the visa requirement for nationals of Vanuatu.See main article: Entry/Exit System. In 2017, the EU adopted a regulation to establish an Entry/Exit System (EES) to record electronically the entry and exit of third-country nationals to and from the Schengen Area in a central database, replacing the manual stamping of passports. The goals are to increase automation of border control and to identify overstayers.[87] As of July 2024, EES is expected to become operational on 10 November 2024.[88]
The EU also plans to establish a Registered Traveller Programme that would allow pre-screened travellers easier access.[89]
See main article: European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned electronic authorisation system for visa-exempt visitors to travel to the Schengen Area and to other EU member states,[90] except Ireland, which remains in the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom and other British Islands.[91]
The implementation of ETIAS has been postponed several times.[90] As of 2024, it is expected to become operational in 2025,[92] with a 6-month grace period to allow travellers and staff to become familiar with the new system. Prospective visitors will need to complete an online application and a €7 fee must be paid by those aged 18 to 70.[93] ETIAS is expected to process the vast majority of applications automatically by searching in electronic databases and then provide an immediate response but, in some limited cases, it may take up to 30 days.
The European Commission is planning to introduce a single online visa application platform at the EU level, replacing the separate national platforms. The platform will be built by eu-LISA and is scheduled to be introduced by January 2026, with wide adoption by 2028.[94] [95] A transition period for all member states to migrate to the single platform is scheduled to be up to 7 years after the platform starts.[59] The proposal was approved by the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in February 2023 by a margin of 34–5.[96] The Parliament negotiated with the European Council on the final wording and implementation. A formal regulation was adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 7 December 2023. [97] [98] [99]
See main article: Visa requirements for European Union citizens.
The EU requires that all Annex II countries and territories provide visa-free access for 90 days or longer to nationals of all Schengen states and other EU countries implementing the common visa rules (Cyprus, but not Ireland). If an Annex II country is found to not provide full reciprocity, the EU may decide to suspend the visa exemption for certain categories or later all nationals of that country.
Since the adoption of this policy, full reciprocity has been achieved with all Annex II countries except the United States, which,, requires visas from nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania.[100] In November 2014, the Bulgarian government announced that it would not ratify the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership unless the United States lifted visa requirements for its nationals.[101] Since the United States failed to lift the requirements, on 3 March 2017 the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution calling on the European Commission to revoke the visa-free travel for US nationals to the Schengen Area.[102]
Some Annex II countries and territories also impose minor restrictions on nationals of certain or all EU/Schengen states that are not considered a breach of reciprocity by the EU. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States require an electronic authorisation before travel, similar to the EU's own planned ETIAS. Canada also requires a visa from nationals of Romania with non-electronic passports.[103] El Salvador requires citizens of Bulgaria and Croatia to buy tourist cards on arrival.[104] [105] Israel requires a visa from nationals of Germany born before 1928, which is issued free of charge if they were not involved with the Nazi Party.[106] [107] [108] Montserrat requires an electronic visa from nationals of Croatia.[109] The United States limits the validity of its electronic authorisation for nationals of Hungary to one year and a single use,[110] and requires a visa for those born outside Hungary.[111] [112]
In general, third-country nationals staying more than 90 days in the Schengen Area as a whole or in Cyprus require either a long-stay visa for less than a year or a residence permit for longer periods.
Although long-stay visas issued by these countries have a uniform design, the procedures and conditions for issuing them are usually determined by each individual country. For example, some Schengen countries require applications for long-stay visas to be made in the applicant's home country, while other Schengen countries permit them after arrival. Some procedures may vary depending on the applicant's country as well.[113] [114] [115] [116] In some situations, such as for study, the procedures and conditions for long-stay visas have been harmonised among all issuing states.[117] Each country is also free to establish its own conditions for residence permits.
Third-country nationals who are long-term residents of an EU or Schengen state (except Ireland and Denmark) may also acquire the right to move to and settle in another of these states without losing their legal status and social benefits.[118] The Van Der Elst visa rule allows third-country nationals employed in the EU single market to work temporarily in another EU single market country for the same employer under certain conditions.
Some third-country nationals are permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days without the need to apply for a long-stay visa. For example, France does not require nationals of the European microstates to apply for a long-stay visa.[119]
Nationals of some 'Annex II' countries (such as Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States) that had entered into visa waiver agreements with individual Schengen states before they implemented the Schengen agreement are permitted to stay for an additional period of time, above and beyond the typical maximum stay limit of 90 days within 180 days imposed on visa-free 'Annex II' nationals. In such instances, the period of additional stay depends on the specific visa waiver agreement, and only applies if the 'Annex II' national has used up their maximum stay limit as provided for under the Schengen Area.
In addition to general requirements, Schengen states also set entry conditions for foreign nationals of countries outside the EU single market called the "reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border fixed by national authorities" regarding means of subsistence during their stay.[134] [135]
| Means of subsistence requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Reference amount | |
| Belgium | €45 per day for aliens staying with a private individual; €95 per day for aliens staying at a hotel. | |
| Bulgaria | €50 per day; minimum €500 per stay[136] | |
| Croatia | €100 per day; but €50 for aliens possessing a certified guarantee letter, a proof of paid travel arrangements, etc. | |
| Czech Republic | €40 per day up to 30 days[137] | |
| Denmark | DKK 350 per day | |
| Estonia | €130.80 per day | |
| Finland | €30 per day[138] | |
| France | €120 per day if holding no proof of accommodation; €65 per day if staying at a hotel; €32.50 per day if holding proof of accommodation.[139] | |
| Germany | €45 per day in the form of cash, credit cards and cheques but alternatively a letter of guarantee from the host.[140] | |
| Greece | €50 per day; minimum total amount of €300 for a stay of up to 5 days reduced by 50% for minors[141] | |
| Hungary | HUF 10,000 per entry or letter of invitation, confirmation of accommodation or any other credible proof.[142] | |
| Iceland | ISK 8,000 per day + ISK 40,000 per each entry | |
| Italy | €269.60 fixed sum for stays up to 5 days (€212.81 per person for groups of two and more); 6–10 days: €44.93 per day (€26.33); 11–20 days: €51.64 fixed sum + €36.67 per day (€25.82 + €22.21); 20+ days €206.58 fixed sum + €27.89 per day (€118.79 + €17.04). | |
| Latvia | €14 per day or certified invitation letter | |
| Liechtenstein | CHF 100 per day; CHF 30 for students | |
| Lithuania | €40 per day | |
| Luxembourg | €67 per day | |
| Malta | €48 per day | |
| Netherlands | €55 per day | |
| Norway | NOK 500 per day (indicative for those not staying with friends or relatives) | |
| Poland | PLN 300 for stay not exceeding 4 days; PLN 75 per day for stay exceeding 4 days | |
| Portugal | €40 per day + €75 per entry | |
| Romania | €50 per day; minimum €500 per stay | |
| Slovakia | €56 per day (€30 for accommodation, €4 for breakfast, €7.5 for lunch, €7.5 for dinner, €7 for spending) or a certified invitation letter[143] | |
| Slovenia | €70; €35 for minors accompanied by parents[144] | |
| Spain | €900 minimum amount (for stays of up to 9 days); €100 per day in excess of 9 days.[145] [146] | |
| Sweden | SEK 450 per day. Needed proof is a copy of three months of bank statements, or of two years of income tax declaration, if there is no official sponsor with proof of that.[147] | |
| Switzerland | CHF 100 per day; CHF 30 for students | |
| Authorities of Austria and Cyprus decide on a case-by-case basis.The Netherlands exempts visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United States and Vatican City from holding proof of sufficient funds and return tickets. Romania requires visitors from Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine to hold a medical insurance covering the period of stay. Romania also exempts visitors from Australia, Canada, South Korea and the United States from holding proof of sufficient funds and return tickets. | ||
See main article: Visa policy of Ireland, Visa policies of Overseas France, Visa policy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, Visa policy of the Faroe Islands, Visa policy of Greenland and Visa policy of Svalbard.
Ireland has an independent visa policy. It grants visa-free entry to all Schengen Annex II nationalities, except for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Dominica, East Timor, Georgia, Honduras, Kosovo, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Palau, Peru, Serbia and Venezuela. It also grants visa-free entry to several additional countries Belize, Eswatini, Fiji, Guyana, Lesotho, Maldives and Nauru. Visas for Ireland and for the Schengen Area are not valid for each other. Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area and maintains freedom of movement with the United Kingdom in addition to with EU and Schengen countries.[148]
The British overseas territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia has open borders with Cyprus and follows the visa policy of the Schengen Area, but requires permits for stays longer than 28 days per 12-month period.[149] [150] These rules were not affected by Brexit.[151]
Overseas France and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have individual visa policies that are mostly aligned with the Schengen Area, with some exceptions and additions.
The Faroe Islands and Greenland have the same list of nationalities exempt from visas as the Schengen Area, and arrivals from the Schengen Area are not subject to border checks. However, Schengen visas are not valid there, so nationalities that are not exempt need separate visas for these territories. These regulations are due to a special agreement under the Nordic Passport Union.[152] [153]
Svalbard is an entirely visa-free zone. Travellers to and from Svalbard must present a passport or national ID card.[154] Travellers who need a visa for the Schengen Area must have such visa if they travel to Svalbard via mainland Norway, and this must be a double-entry visa if they also return from Svalbard via mainland Norway.[155]
See also: Potential enlargement of the European Union. Countries applying to join the European Union are obliged to adopt the EU's visa policy no later than three months before they formally join the Union.[156] Schengen countries give visa-free access to nationals of all EU candidate and applicant states except Turkey.[157] Candidate states Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and applicant state Kosovo maintain similar visa policies as the Schengen Area, with some notable exceptions regarding countries that were added to the Schengen Annex II more recently and additional nationalities not listed in Annex II. Candidate states Georgia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine require visas from some nationalities that have always been in Annex II and also maintain visa exemptions for some additional nationalities not in Annex II. Turkey also requires electronic visas from nationals of EU member state Cyprus.[158]
Schengen visas that are valid for further travel are accepted as substitute visas for national visas in several other countries.
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Iraq
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka