travel without visa europe

New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Visitors who now travel visa-free will need to get approval prior to departure.

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

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In Europe's Schengen area , your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. At present, the Schengen area includes most European Union (EU) countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland.

If you are transiting through Canada or the United Kingdom (UK) enroute to the Schengen area : your passport must be valid for at least six months, even though Canada and the UK do not themselves have the six-month rule. If your passport will expire within six months, airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.

Traveling in Europe

If you plan to travel in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Borders Agreement, which allows you to move freely within a number of countries without border checks. Tourists, exchange students, and people visiting for business from certain countries, like the United States, can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area includes most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Before you travel to the Schengen area, we recommend you do the following:

• Check the expiration date on your passport book carefully before traveling to Europe. Ensure your passport book is valid for at least six months when you enter the Schengen area. This is especially important for minors under age 16 as their passports are only valid for five years. In contrast, U.S. citizen adults aged 16 and older receive passports that are valid for 10 years.
• Always carry your passport book with you when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
• Be prepared to explain your purpose of travel.
• Be prepared to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit.
• Comply with other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.

On our Country Information pages , you can find passport validity requirements and other important information for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be:

• Refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.
• Denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area, regardless of how long you will stay.

An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border. You will have to present your passport at that time. The officer may deny your entry if you do not qualify.

You should also check passport validity requirements if traveling onward from the Schengen area to a country outside the Schengen area. You can find this information in our Country Information pages.

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN?

• With a valid U.S. passport book, you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism or business during any 180-day period. You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
• If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time and apply for a visa.

Countries in the Schengen area may reinstate temporary internal or external border control without notice. U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passport book at all times when entering or leaving the Schengen area. They should also bring it when traveling between Schengen countries.

How can the U.S. government help me if border officials do not let me enter?

• We can give you the contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
• We can provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney overseas if you choose to do so.
• Note: We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter. We cannot intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

Click on the country name for more information.

Bulgaria (entering in March 2024)

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

Romania (entering in March 2024)

Switzerland

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Travelling to the EU and Schengen area

You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:

• you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
• you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

Other reasons include:

• studying a short course
• getting medical treatment
• travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
• journalism or other media activities

Check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting to find out what you can and cannot do during your stay.

These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland .

Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period

You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area.

The countries in the Schengen area are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

To work out if your stay is within the 90 day limit, use the following steps.

Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.

Count back 180 days from that date to get the start of the 180-day period.

Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area in that 180-day period (you can use the dates stamped in your passport showing when you entered and left a country).

Work out how many days you will spend in the Schengen area on your next trip. Add this number to the number of days you worked out in step 3.

Check that the total number of days is not more than 90.

Travelling to Cyprus

Cyprus is not in the Schengen area. You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Cyprus without a visa.

Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus.

When you may need a visa

​​You may need a visa or permit if you want to either:

• stay for more than 90 days

If you’re travelling for work, check the rules for the country you’re visiting .

If you’re travelling for another reason or staying longer than 90 days, check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting .

Changes to travel to the Schengen area from November 2024

From November 2024, you’ll get your fingerprints and photo taken when entering the Schengen area. You’ll get either your fingerprints or photo taken when you leave. You will not get a stamp in your passport.

Queues at borders may be longer when these changes begin.

If you enter the Schengen area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, your fingerprints and photo will be taken before you leave the UK.

Read more about the new EU Entry/Exit System .

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Wait, do you need a visa to go to Europe now? The new ETIAS requirements, explained

Emily Olson

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements Andrea Pattaro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements

Already thinking about next summer's vacation plans? If Europe is on your short list, there could be one extra step to take before boarding that plane.

Starting in 2024, American passport holders traveling to 30 European countries will need authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Though it may sound complicated, the ETIAS and the reasoning behind it are quite similar to existing travel requirements and reflect increasing fear of terrorism in the U.S., Europe and around the world.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ETIAS? Is it a visa?

While some media outlets are taking a cue from the European Union's travel site and calling this a visa, in truth, ETIAS is more like a travel authorization form.

Summer air travel could be expensive and chaotic. Here's how to avoid trouble

"It's definitely not a visa," said Dan Hamilton, a senior non-resident fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. "It's an electronic entry-point, an authorization for countries that are currently visa-free."

Even the European Commission has said as much (and in bold letters) , writing this is "not a visa" but rather an "automated IT system" in a press release on the discussions around it back in 2018.

Whatever you want to call it, the ETIAS form is not what you'd seek if you're trying to work or live in Europe, but rather what you'll need for short-term trips — up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Why is it being implemented?

These new requirements have been years in the making, stemming back to a rise in terrorism fears following 9/11. It's very similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — or ESTA — program that the U.S. implemented in 2008 .

At the heart of ETIAS is an electronic database system to better track who's coming and going. According to the EU's latest report on terrorism data , EU law enforcement authorities arrested about 388 suspects for terror-related offenses in 2021, more than half of whom were accused of being associated with Jihadist groups based abroad.

The European Commission says ETIAS may have the added impact of cutting down on "irregular migration" (i.e. illegal immigration), but one thing the form is definitely not aimed to do is deter tourism in general.

'Revenge travel' is surging. Here's what you need to know

Crowded cities, inflated airfare and extreme heat disasters may all be making headlines this summer, but many of these European countries are still depending on tourism revenue to help them bounce back from pandemic slumps, Hamilton said.

And the pandemic is another one of the many reasons this new requirement has been delayed by decades — there was no need for ETIAS when countries closed their borders to all travel amid fears of spreading COVID-19.

"Another part of it is simply the pace of the way this parliament and European commission works," Hamilton explained in an interview with NPR. "They're ending their term and pushing through a lot of these directives because parliamentary elections happen next June."

"And getting 30 countries to agree on anything takes a long time," he added.

When does it take effect?

The European Union's website says the new authorization will start in 2024 but hasn't clarified a specific date. A press spokesperson for the union's travel arm did not respond to NPR's request for information.

And, similarly, a spokesperson for the State Department told NPR that the U.S. government website for international travel (travel.state.gov) would be updated "once the regulation goes into effect," but didn't specify when that would be.

"Frankly, I'd be surprised if this starts on time," Hamilton said. The rollout of ETIAS has already been delayed at least once.

But it couldn't hurt to plan ahead for any 2024 travel just to be safe.

Who needs to apply for ETIAS approval?

Basically, all passport holders from 60 countries who can currently travel to most European destinations without a visa — and that includes American passport holders — will now need to get ETIAS authorization for the same trip. That's about 1.4 billion people, by the European Union's estimation.

There are 30 European countries in total on the impacted destination list , including those in the "Schengen Area" — 27 European countries, many that are part of the European Union, that agreed to ease border restrictions to facilitate the movement of people within Europe.

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

Those Schengen countries include top vacation spots like France, Italy and Spain.

The other three countries on the list are Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus, which are all trying to become a part of the Schengen Area soon.

You can check the full list of both impacted passport holders and affected European destinations here.

How can you apply for ETIAS approval (and does it cost money)?

The application isn't open yet, but the European Union says that when it is, all necessary forms can be filled out via a web portal or mobile phone application.

You'll be asked to share personal information such as your date of birth, parents' names and details about your current occupation and previous criminal convictions. You'll also need to share a passport that is not set to expire in less than three months.

Oh, and you'll have to pay a fee of 7 euros (about $8).

When is the right time to apply?

If you want to play it safe, apply well in advance of your trip — no later than a month out.

ETIAS says most applications "are processed within minutes" and decisions are delivered within four days. But that wait could take up to 14 days if you are requested to supply additional information and up to 30 days if you're invited to interview.

It's Been a Minute

Presenting 'life kit': making the most of travel and your time off.

Those denied an application can appeal, but that process could be even lengthier.

The European Union says ETIAS approval will stay valid for three years or until the passport you used in your application expires.

Naturally, you'll also need to follow the ETIAS rules to stay in good standing.

Those with ETIAS approval can stay in the European countries on the list for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. So you can leave and come back, but you can't stay in the confines of the countries on the list for 91 days or more non-stop.

Who should apply

Find out which European countries require an ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs to apply and who is exempt.

• ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.

European countries requiring ETIAS

These 30 European countries require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation.

List of countries

Who needs an ETIAS travel authorisation

Nationals of any of these visa-exempt countries/territories need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.

If you come from any of these countries/territories and you plan to visit any of the 30 European countries listed above for a short-term stay , you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation.

There are specific travel document requirements for nationals of certain visa-exempt countries/territories – make sure to check if these apply to the travel document you have.

If you come from any of the visa-exempt countries/territories listed above and you are a family member of an EU citizen or of a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, please read this FAQ for more information about applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation.

Other categories of travellers who need an ETIAS travel authorisation

Etias for nationals of visa-required countries.

In some cases, nationals of visa-required countries may not need to apply for a visa and can travel with an ETIAS travel authorisation instead. This applies to you if you are:

Travelling to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS on a school trip

This applies only to students who are nationals of visa-required countries residing on the territory of any of these countries , Switzerland or Liechtenstein. You must be travelling together with other school pupils and be accompanied by a school teacher. Also, you must be exempt from the requirement to have a visa to enter the territory of all the European countries requiring ETIAS which you intend to visit during your trip – make sure to check which requirements apply to you . You must meet all these conditions to be eligible for an ETIAS travel authorisation.

Important: To avoid any problems at the border, before your travel, please contact the Consulates of all the countries you intend to visit to confirm that your personal situation exempts you from the obligation to have a visa.

A recognised refugee who resides in and holds a travel document issued by any of these countries or Ireland and you are not required to have a visa to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS you intend to visit

You must meet all these conditions to be eligible for an ETIAS travel authorisation. Make sure to check which travel requirements apply to you.

ETIAS for stateless persons

You will need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you are a stateless person who resides in and holds a travel document issued by any of these countries or Ireland and you are not required to have a visa to travel to the European countries requiring ETIAS you intend to visit

You must meet all these conditions to be eligible for an ETIAS travel authorisation. Make sure to check which travel requirements apply to you .

Who does not need an ETIAS travel authorisation

You will not need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you are:

A national of a European country requiring ETIAS

A national of any of these countries who needs a visa to travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS

In certain cases, nationals of the above countries may be exempt from the obligation to have a visa. In those cases, you may need an ETIAS travel authorisation instead – check the lists above whether this applies to you.

A national of the United Kingdom who is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement

UK nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from ETIAS: they may reside on the territory of their EU host country and travel to other European countries requiring ETIAS as long as they hold documents proving their status.

For more information, please check this website .

A national of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, the Holy See (the Vatican City State) or Ireland

A refugee, a stateless person or a person who does not hold the nationality of any country and you reside in any of the European countries requiring ETIAS and hold a travel document issued by that country

A holder of a residence permit or a residence card issued by any European country requiring ETIAS

See here an indicative list of the relevant residence permits. Other documents authorising your stay on the territory of these countries are also accepted, if they are in line with Article 2 point 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 . Please consult the issuing authority to confirm if your document meets these requirements.

A holder of a uniform visa A holder of a national long-stay visa A holder of a local border traffic permit, but only within the context of the Local Border Traffic

A holder of a diplomatic, service or special passport

This exemption applies to the nationals of countries that have concluded international agreements with the EU which allow the holders of diplomatic, service or special passports to travel without a visa. This means that nationals of the following countries can travel to these European countries both without an ETIAS travel authorisation and without a visa:

• Armenia, Azerbaijan, China (holders of diplomatic passports only)
• Cape Verde (holders of diplomatic and service/official passports only)
• Belarus (holders of diplomatic biometric passports only)

Holders of diplomatic, service or special passports from other countries are also excluded from the obligation to hold an ETIAS travel authorisation. However, they may be obliged to have a visa to visit the European countries requiring ETIAS.

Before your travel, please contact the Consulates of the countries you intend to travel to, to check if you need a visa.

A member of the armed forces travelling on NATO or Partnership for Peace business, who holds an identification and individual or collective movement order provided for by the Agreement between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces.

Important: If you are travelling for private purposes for part or for the whole duration of your trip to a European country requiring ETIAS, you will need an ETIAS or a visa.

A holder of a travel document issued by intergovernmental international organisation provided for in Part 3 of Decision No 1105/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council

Important note: you may still need a visa to visit the European countries requiring ETIAS. Before you travel, always check with the relevant consulates if you need one.

An intra-corporate transferee, a student or a researcher exercising your right to mobility in accordance with Directive 2014/66/EU or Directive (EU) 2016/801

Crew members

You may need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you are:

A civilian air or sea crew member on duty

Since the European countries requiring ETIAS have different requirements for air and sea crew members, before you travel, always check which requirements apply to you .

A civilian sea crew member going ashore holding a seafarer's identity document

Since the European countries requiring ETIAS countries have different requirements for sea crew members, before you travel, always check which requirements apply to you .

A crew or member of an emergency or rescue mission in the event of a disaster or an accident

Conditions for the entry and exit of members of rescue services, police, fire brigades acting in emergency situations as well as border guards crossing the border in exercise of their professional tasks are laid down by national law. The European countries requiring ETIAS may also conclude bilateral agreements with non-EU countries for these categories of persons. Before you travel, always check which requirements apply to you .

A civilian crew member of ships navigating in international inland waters

Since the European countries requiring ETIAS have different requirements for sea crew members, before you travel, always check which requirements apply to you .

Nationals of the United Kingdom

UK nationals are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period).

UK nationals who wish to stay longer must meet the entry requirements in accordance with national or EU migration law, such as holding a visa or residence permit.

ETIAS exemptions for UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement

Related links

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a Schengen visa [2024 edition]

Updated: April 13, 2024 103 Comments

There are 27 countries you can visit with a Schengen visa. But, there are also 53 non-Schengen countries and territories that you can travel VISA-FREE with a Schengen visa.

Most people think that a Schengen visa is only for the Schengen zone. Yes, of course, it is. But many non-Schengen countries also honor Schengen visa as their own visa.

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Visa requirements change constantly but we make every effort to keep the information accurate and up to date. We provide links to official sources wherever necessary, so you can conduct your own due diligence to verify the visa requirements before planning your trip. We shall not be held liable for any damages incurred as a result of using the information in this article. Refer to our full disclaimer for more information.

Why do non-Schengen countries honor Schengen visa?

There are several reasons why non-Schengen countries honor Schengen visas –

Reason 1: Countries soon to be included in the Schengen agreement

Countries that are in the process of joining the Schengen zone have already started honoring Schengen visas. Currently, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus are in the process of joining the Schengen zone

Reason 2: Countries trust the Schengen visa screening process

Schengen visa applicants are screened thoroughly for their strong ties with their home countries. Countries simply trust the Schengen visa application screening.

Reason 3: Countries that lack infrastructure, technology or resources

Countries may not have the required infrastructure, technology or resources to screen applicants as thoroughly as a Schengen visa.

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What countries are included in the Schengen visa?

The following 27 countries are included in the Schengen visa.

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

Apart from the above 27, there are about 53 non-Schengen countries and territories you can visit with a Schengen visa.

What Schengen visas are eligible for non-Schengen countries?

Depending on the country, any of the below Schengen visas can be used.

• Short-term C-Type Schengen visa (tourism/business)
• Long-term D-Type Schengen visa (study/work)
• Transit A-Type Schengen visa (transit)
• Residence permit from any Schengen country

Refer to each country below for permitted Schengen visa types. Some countries require the Schengen visa to be multiple-entry and have been used at least once to travel to the Schengen area.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

North America

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities
• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen visas
• Permitted residence permits: A valid permanent residence permit from any Schengen country
• Entry granted: Up to 180 days
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must be valid for the entire stay in Mexico
• Official source: National Institute of Migration, Mexico

RELATED: 53 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with a US visa in 2024

Central America

• Permitted residence permits: None
• Entry granted: 30 days
• Official source: Belize.com

03. Costa Rica

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry D-Type Schengen visas (student and work only)
• Schengen C-Type short-stay visas are NOT accepted
• Schengen D-Type visa or residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival
• Residence permit must be in the form of a “card”, residence permits in the form of visa stickers are not accepted
• Official source: Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC, US

04. El Salvador

• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Turkmenistan
• Entry granted: 90 days total in the entire CA-4 zone (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua)
• If entering by air, a fee of 12 USD will be charged for a tourist card
• If you have already entered Guatemala or Honduras, you can enter El Salvador from Guatemala or Honduras by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement
• Official source: IATA Travel Centre

05. Guatemala

• Côte d´Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• If you have already entered Honduras or El Salvador, you can enter Guatemala from Honduras or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala

06. Honduras

• Cote d’Ivoire
• South Sudan
• Schengen visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• If you have already entered Guatemala or El Salvador, you can enter Honduras from Guatemala or El Salvador by land without any additional visa requirements as per CA-4 Border Control Agreement. 

07. Nicaragua

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Sierra Leone
• Timor-Leste
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL
• VOA fee is 50 USD, payable in USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Besides the VOA fee, there is a 10 USD entry fee, a 2 USD land border migration fee (for land border only) and 1 USD municipality tax (for land border only) (payable in USD only)
• Permitted visas: All valid USED multiple-entry Schengen visas, except those issued by non-EU countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein)
• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from any Schengen country, except issued by non-EU countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein)
• Schengen visa must have been used at least once to enter the visa-issuing country
• Must show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD
• Official source: Embassy of Panama in the USA

RELATED: 38 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with Canada visa in 2024

09. Antigua and Barbuda

• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from any Schengen country
• VOA fee is 100 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Department of Immigration, Antigua and Barbuda
• Official source: Netherlands Worldwide

11. Bahamas

• Entry granted: 90 days
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas

12. Bonaire (Dutch Territory)

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type and D-Type only)

13. Curaçao

14. dominican republic.

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen visas, except transit (A-Type)
• Entry rule: If arriving by land or sea, must pay a departure tax of 20 USD before departing. If arriving by air, the departure tax is included in the airfare.
• Official source: Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic
• Entry rule: A tourist fee of 10 USD must be paid on arrival at the airport

16. Jamaica

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused single/multiple-entry Schengen visas
• Official source: Immigration Department of Jamaica

17. Sint Maarten

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type or D-Type only)

RELATED: 43 countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2024

South America

18. Colombia

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused single/multiple-entry Schengen visas, except transit (A-Type)
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must be valid for at least 180 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
• Entry granted: 180 days
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

RELATED: 18 countries you can visit VISA-FREE with an Australian visa or PR in 2024

20. Albania

• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry Schengen visas
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must have been used to enter the visa-issuing country
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania

21. Andorra

• Permitted visas: All valid USED double/multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type or D-Type only)
• Andorra doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Andorra is only through Spain or France which requires a Schengen visa
• Schengen visa must be multiple-entry or at least double-entry as the entry/exit to Andorra is only through the Schengen zone
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra

22. Armenia

• Marshall Islands
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Entry granted: 21 or 120 days
• VOA fee is 3,000 AMD, valid for 21 days, single-entry (OR) 15,000 AMD, valid for 120 days, single-entry
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

23. Belarus

• South Africa
• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type or D-Type only)
• Schengen visa must have been used to enter the visa-issuing country
• Must arrive and depart from the following airports only – Minsk National Airport, Airport Brest, Airport Gomel, Airport Grodno, Airport Mogilev and Airport Vitebsk.
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus

24. Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities, except Kosovo
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina

25. Bulgaria

• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry Schengen visas, except transit (A-type)
• Entry rule: Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities, except Azerbaijan and Turkey
• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused double/multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type and D-Type only)
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus

27. Georgia

• Schengen visa must be valid on the day of arrival in Georgia
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

28. Gibraltar (British Territory)

• Permitted visas: All valid USED multiple-entry Schengen visas
• Entry granted: 21 days
• Entry rule: Schengen visa must be valid for at least 7 days beyond the period of stay
• Official source: Gibraltar Borders & Coastguards Agency
• Permitted residence permits: A valid biometric residence permit from any Schengen country
• Entry granted: 15 days
• Entry rule: The residence permit from Schengen must be biometric
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo

30. Moldova

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Entry rule: Schengen Visa or residence permit must be valid for the intended period of stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova
• Permitted visas: All valid USED double/multiple-entry Schengen visas
• Monaco doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Monaco is only through France which requires a Schengen visa
• Schengen visa must be multiple-entry or at least double-entry as the entry/exit to Monaco is only through the Schengen zone
• Official source: Government of Principality of Monaco

32. Montenegro

• Entry rules: Schengen visa must be valid for the intended period of the stay
• Official source: Government of Montenegro

33. North Macedonia

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type only)
• Permitted residence permits: A valid temporary/permanent residence permit from any Schengen country
• Schengen visa must be valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended period of stay
• Total duration of consecutive stays must not exceed 3 months in any 6 months period
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia

34. Romania

• Permitted visas: All valid used double/multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type or LTV)
• The Schengen visa entries or length of stay must not have been exhausted
• The residence permit should have been granted for 5 or more years
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania

35. San Marino

• Permitted visas: All valid USED double/multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type or D-Type)
• Entry rule: San Marino has no border controls, but entry/exit to San Marino is only through Italy which requires a Schengen visa
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of San Marino
• Schengen visa must be valid for the entire duration of the stay
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
• Algeria (those aged 15-18 and 35-65)
• North Korea
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Turkey e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 43 USD, validity is 180 days, and single-entry only
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

If you hold a Schengen visa, follow this step-by-step guide to apply for Tukey e-Visa . This article will guide you to fill out your e-Visa application, pay the fee and download the approved e-Visa.

38. United Kingdom

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused multiple-entry Schengen D-Type visas only (Short stay C-Type visas are not eligible)
• Entry granted: 24 hours only (Transit Without Visa)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to request a 24-hour entry at London (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) airports
• Must be traveling to or from the visa-issuing Schengen country only
• Must arrive and depart by air only
• Must hold the boarding pass for the onward flight
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or the next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer

39. Vatican City

• Entry granted: 1 day (there are no accommodation facilities for tourists in Vatican City)
• Entry rule: Vatican City doesn’t require any visa, but entry/exit to Vatican City is only through Italy which requires a Schengen Visa

RELATED: 13 VISA-FREE Countries You Can Visit with New Zealand Visa or PR in 2024

Middle East

40. Bahrain

• Entry granted: 14 days or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Bahrain eVisa
• Single-entry VOA fee is 5 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry VOA fee is 12 BD, valid for 3 months, entry up to 1 month
• Single-entry eVisa fee is 9 BD, valid for 14 days, entry up to 14 days
• Multiple-entry eVisa fee is 16 BD, valid for 1 month, entry up to 14 days
• For VOA, the Schengen visa must be valid for the entire stay in Bahrain
• For eVisa, the Schengen visa must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Bahrain eVisa Portal
• Congo, Dem. Rep. Of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Guinea Bissau
• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from any Schengen country, except Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Jordan e-Visa
• The residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: Jordan E-Visa Portal
• El Salvador
• Entry granted: 10 or 30 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Oman 26M or 26N Tourist Visa online
• 26M eVIsa fee is 20 OMR, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• 26N eVIsa fee is 5 OMR, valid for 10 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Sultanate of Oman, Royal Oman Police
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for A3 Visa online on the Hayya portal
• A3 Visa fee is QAR 100, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Must provide hotel booking for the entire stay reserved through the Discover Qatar website
• Schengen visa or residence permit must be valid on the day of the A3 Visa application
• Official source: Qatar Tourist Board

44. Saudi Arabia

• Permitted visas: All valid used multiple-entry Schengen visas (C-Type and D-Type only)
• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from any Schengen country, except Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL or Saudi Arabia eVisa
• VOA or eVisa fee is 300 SAR, valid for 1 year, multiple-entry (plus service fee and insurance fee)
• Schengen visa must have been USED to enter the visa-issuing country
• Official source: Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority

45. United Arab Emirates

• Eligible nationalities: Indian passport holders only
• Permitted visas: None
• Entry granted: 14 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at UAE airports
• VOA fee is 100 AED, valid for 14 days, single-entry only
• Schengen residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
• Official source: UAE Government Portal

RELATED: 5 ways to get proof of onward travel for your next trip

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to obtain Visa ON ARRIVAL at all international airports
• VOA fee is 25 USD, valid for 30 days, single-entry only
• Official source: Egypt Tourism Department

47. Morocco

• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Morocco e-Visa
• E-Visa fee is 770 MAD, valid for 180 days, single-entry only
• Schengen visa must be valid for at least 90 days from the day of arrival
• Official source: Morocco E-Visa Portal

RELATED: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

48. Kyrgyzstan

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused LONG-TERM multiple-entry Schengen visas issued for at least 3+ years
• Entry granted: 7 days
• Schengen visa must be a long-term visa issued for 3 or more years. Schengen visas issued for less than 3 years are not accepted.
• After entering Kyrgyzstan this way, you can only reenter Kyrgyzstan again after 21 days.
• Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

49. Philippines

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure
• Official source: Embassy of the Philippines in India

50. Singapore

• Permitted visas: All valid used/unused single/multiple-entry Schengen visas that allow entry into Germany and Switzerland, except transit (A-Type)
• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from Germany or Switzerland
• Entry granted: 96 hours (4 days)
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT but are eligible to obtain Visa Free Transit Facility (VFTF) upon arrival
• Must be traveling to or from the country of passport. Example: Must be traveling to a third country from India via Singapore or traveling to India from a third country via Singapore. An example itinerary would be India-Singapore-Bali or Bali-Singapore-India.
• Both arriving and departing flights in Singapore must be on the same itinerary
• The visa or residence permit must be valid for at least 1 month at the time of arrival
• Official source: Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

51. South Korea

• Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (except the following 23 nationalities – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen)
• Entry rule: Must be traveling to/from the visa-issuing country through South Korea
• Official source: South Korea Embassy in Washington DC, USA
• Permitted visas: All valid/expired used/unused single/multiple-entry Schengen visas, except transit (A-Type)
• Permitted residence permits: A valid/expired residence permit from any Schengen country
• Visa is EXEMPT but must apply for ROC Travel Authorization Certificate online before arrival
• ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is free of charge, valid for 90 days, multiple-entry
• If using an EXPIRED Schengen visa or residence permit, the visa or residence permit must have expired in the last 10 years only
• Official source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)

53. Thailand

• Permitted visas: A RESIDENCE visa from any Schengen country, such as student, work, etc.
• Permitted residence permits: A valid residence permit from any Schengen countries
• Entry granted: 60 days
• Visa is NOT EXEMPT, but are eligible to apply for Thailand e-Visa online
• E-Visa fee is 40 USD, valid for 90 days or 180 days, single or multiple-entry
• Must submit proof of residence in the country of application such as driver’s license, utility bill, etc.
• Official source: Thai E-Visa Portal

RELATED: How to book flight tickets with 24 hour FREE cancellation on Expedia – A step-by-step guide

There you have it! 53 non-Schengen countries and territories you can travel VISA-FREE with a Schengen visa. Including the 27 Schengen countries, you can visit 80 countries and territories with a Schengen visa.

Do you know any other country (I haven’t listed here) where you can travel VISA-FREE with a Schengen visa? Let me know in the comments below.

Change history:  For those who are interested, here are the changes to this list.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

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103 Comments

Sapitri says

October 25, 2022 at 9:55 am

I just want to thank you so much for this article. As an Indonesian living in one EU country temporarily, I’ve been looking for this information! I understand I still need to check and recheck with the respective embassy because policies may change from time to time, but this gives me an idea of where to go on vacation rather than checking one by one.

Thirumal Motati says

November 7, 2022 at 7:41 am

Hi Sapitri! Thanks! I try to keep it updated but yeah please check with the authorities before booking your travel.

SUSHILA says

September 22, 2022 at 8:27 am

How many countries (other than 26 Schengen) can an Indian passport holder travel to if he is holding Schengen visa type D or Type C?

September 26, 2022 at 3:39 am

Hi Sushila! All the 50 countries and territories I have listed in the article. India is not listed for countries such as Haiti and Jamaica but Indian passport holders are VISA-FREE for those countries. Indian do not need a Schengen visa for those two countries.

Abdul Rehman says

September 22, 2022 at 7:51 am

I am having valid Schengen visitor visa multi-entry and a Pakistani Passport. I want to check if being a Pakistani national, I am eligible for a visa on arrival for Armenia based on my Schengen visa.

September 26, 2022 at 3:43 am

Hi Abdul! Unfortunately, Pakistani passport holders are not eligible to obtain Visa on Arrival to Armenia. You would need to apply for a visa at the Armenian embassy or consulate.

ELSAEID HISSAIN says

July 14, 2022 at 11:12 pm

Hi Thirumal, new update Morocco has launched e-visa for Schengen visa holders. Also, Egypt no need a visa if you have a valid Schengen visa.

July 15, 2022 at 9:42 am

Hi Elsaeid! Fantastic news! Thanks for letting us know! I will update the articles to reflect this new info. Thanks again!

Peter Sathish says

June 16, 2022 at 4:18 am

Hi Thirumal, hope all is well, fantastic stumble on your blog via google. well done indeed.

Quick one on visiting other countries on valid Schengen? I am in the process of applying for a tourist multi. I am planning on going to Mexico via Netherlands/Paris. There is a new online portal where we have to fill out the application form. They are asking if I am going outside the Schengen region during this trip. Should I avoid mentioning this, as the requirement for applying is to stay in the Schengen area the longest not just transit? Also any recommendation for Traveller insurances with CFAR valid within India? I want to be able to modify the destination after getting the visa? TIA.

June 16, 2022 at 10:38 am

Hi Peter! In order to keep the application simple, just say that you are not going outside the Schengen region on this trip. Once you have the visa, you can figure out whether you want to travel only to Schengen or Schengen and Mexico or any other combination.

For Schengen, I have previously used VisitorsCoverage . They have insurance specifically for Schengen visas since Schengen insurance must be of certain value with zero deductible. The insurance is valid for the Schengen region only. I use SafetyWing these days as my primary insurance and you can change the destination on the policy as many times as you want, but it’s not zero deductible though. Check out both and see whichever works for your needs.

May 28, 2022 at 11:29 pm

Hello there, thanks for the time you had in giving us this information for free. Thanks again. My question is, I am a Ghanaian living in Spain and I have got a 2yrs temporary residency car. I want to know if I can go to Mexico or Guatemala without a visa and what are the requirements needed? I will be having my vacation soon and I want to travel to Central and maybe South America for a week or 2 and come back. Also, can you kindly update me on the fact that I can go to Belize without a visa with my Ghanaian passport? I saw it’s visa-free but also heard some are not allowed entry. Hope you understand and will be glad to hear from you soon. Thanks!

May 31, 2022 at 7:49 am

Hi Siaka! Unfortunately, none of those countries you have mentioned offer entry to Ghanaian passport holders with Schengen residence permits.

Mexico: No. Mexico only allows permanent residence permits. Since your’s is a temporary residence permit, Mexico will not offer visa-free entry. Guatemala: No. Ghanian passport holders are not eligible to enter Guatemala visa-free using a Schengen residence permit. Belize: No. Only Schengen visas are allowed, not residence permits unfortunately.

The only country in Latin America that would allow temporary residence permits is Panama.

Marius says

March 25, 2022 at 10:23 am

When you enter for example Cyprus with a Schengen visa, do they give you their own visa and can stay longer than the Schengen visa is valid or do all the visas will have only the length of the original Schengen visa?

March 31, 2022 at 5:03 am

Hi Marius! Each country will give a certain amount of days to stay. This can be longer than the length of your original Schengen visa. Your Schengen visa must just be valid at the time of entry.

Sam Nguyen says

December 2, 2021 at 2:34 am

I am a greek permanent resident. Can I travel visa-free to those countries?

December 6, 2021 at 10:15 am

Hi Sam! Yes. Greece is part of Schengen zone and it would be considered a “residence permit from a Schengen country”.

February 11, 2022 at 11:44 am

No, it does not. I am a permanent resident of Switzerland (Schengen) and still needed a visa for Colombia and Mexico. The embassy staff told me they only accept Schengen visas but not residence permits (at least not the 1-year type that I have).

February 16, 2022 at 5:50 am

Hi Jonny! Mexico has changed its visa policy and now they only accept permanent residence permits. Colombia still accepts regular residence permits.

Ashraf says

September 1, 2021 at 9:53 pm

Hi brother, I have a Schengen visa single entry so I can visit Mexico. Please tell me if Mexican immigration allows Schengen single visas or multiple visas.

September 2, 2021 at 6:15 pm

Hi Ashraf! Unfortunately, the Schengen visa must be multiple-entry in order to enter Mexico.

Gabriel says

July 26, 2021 at 1:22 pm

Hi, I’m a Syrian citizen living in Sweden. However, I was wondering which countries I can visit visa-free for touristic purposes. I’m very interested to know Morocco visa policies in my case.

July 29, 2021 at 5:22 am

Hi Gabriel! If you hold a Swedish residence permit, you can travel to all those countries that accept a residence permit from any Schengen/EU country. Look up countries that say “A valid residence permit from any Schengen country”.

Syrian passport holders require a visa for Morocco. But a Morocco visa is quite easy to obtain. You can apply for a Morocco visa at the embassy of Morocco in Sweden.

saheed says

November 26, 2019 at 4:38 pm

I am a Gambian with a valid Schengen visa. Do I need a visa to go to Russia?

Thirumal says

December 1, 2019 at 5:52 am

Hi Saheed! You cannot use your Schengen visa to enter Russia. You require a visa from Russia.

Mickey says

October 31, 2019 at 4:48 am

Hi Thirumal –

I think you should do an article about Georgia – the internet is full of stories of Indian travellers being deported back from Tbilisi Airport even with valid visas.

October 31, 2019 at 5:28 am

Hi Mickey! For sure, I will do an article on that. But in my opinion, this is due to a few exploiting the liberal visa requirements of Georgia. The result is the price we all (genuine travelers) have to pay. Because of this, the immigration officials have become extremely strict and started scrutizing every traveler for any potential illegal immigration intent.

October 30, 2019 at 7:52 pm

Hi – for Macedonia –

You can enter and exit the country only from or to another Schengen country. The visa ‘C’ must be validated before you enter and you have to fly back to a Schengen country only – This from TripAdvisor

Some other countries like Bulgaria and Romania also have a similar condition – visa must be validated.

Thirumal – my Question to you is can you check regarding Romania and Bulgaria? Do you have to fly in and out of a Schengen country only when you are using the ‘C’ multiple entry?

October 31, 2019 at 3:50 pm

Hi Mickey! The Macedonia ministry of foreign affairs website does not mention anything about using the Schengen visa first to enter a Schengen country. Macedonia is not part of EU or Schengen and therefore it may not be necessary to use the Schengen visa first to enter a Schengen country. Can you share the link to the TripAdvisor discussion? Let me check.

Bulgaria and Romania are in the process to join Schengen. They are technically in the Schengen zone but cannot issue Schengen visas yet. That means you will have to get a Schengen visa from any of the 26 current Schengen countries. And the requirement for a Schengen visa is to enter the visa issuing country first before entering any other country. So, it’s wise to enter the Schengen country that issued the visa before entering Bulgaria or Romania. You don’t have to fly in and out of Schengen country but using the visa first would be better. That is why both Bulgaria and Romania ask for a double or multiple-entry visa with at least one entry still exiting on the visa.

Ishaque says

October 30, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Hello Thirumal, can I apply for Schengen multiple visa on a fresh Pakistani ordinary passport?

October 31, 2019 at 4:41 pm

Hi Ishaque! Yes, you can. If you have an old passport with visas or stamps, make sure to submit a copy of that to show your travel history.

October 26, 2019 at 5:59 pm

I have a single-entry Schengen visa for the duration of a week. Can I use that to enter Serbia without taking a separate Serbian visa?

October 27, 2019 at 4:01 am

Hi Tarek! I cannot give you a confirmed answer since your visa is valid for only one week and that too single-entry. Most countries on this list require a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.

If you have already used your visa to enter Schengen zone, then it’s not valid anymore since your visa is single-entry only. But if you haven’t used it, then you may be able to use it for Serbia. I suggest contacting your nearest Serbia embassy to confirm.

October 6, 2019 at 12:34 am

Hi! Do I have to enter a Schengen country first that issued the visa before entering Macedonia? I’ve contacted the Embassy and they said I don’t have to as long as it’s valid multiple entry type c and valid at least 5 days after my planned stay. I checked IATA and there’s no mention of using the Schengen visa once to enter Macedonia. But anyone experienced traveling first to Macedonia with a Schengen visa and not having problems? Thanks!

October 6, 2019 at 4:07 am

Hi Meh! Your Schengen visa can be “unused” to enter Macedonia. As long as your Schengen visa is type C and valid at least 5 days beyond your stay in Macedonia, you are fine. I don’t have first-hand experience using my Schengen visa to enter Macedonia. So, I will let other readers with similar experiences chime in and share their experience. You can also ask your question on the Visa Travel Support Facebook Group . There are quite a few travelers on the group who have been to Macedonia using different visas.

Sanjay Dhar says

January 13, 2020 at 12:28 am

I entered North Macedonia on an Indian passport with a French Schengen Visa without entering France yet. However, I entered Finland with the Schengen Visa first but departed Poland to enter Romania where immigration check in both airports were done. By bus from Romania to Bulgaria with no Romanian exit check but only Bulgarian entry check and stamp. The officer goes to each seat on the bus, collect the passport and after stamping return it to the driver. Then again one exit check and entry check and stamp when crossing from Bulgaria to North Macedonia. This information is valid as on 12/01/2020. Thanks.

January 13, 2020 at 5:50 am

Hi Sanjay! Thanks for sharing your personal experience and valuable information. This will be very helpful to all of our readers. Thanks again!

kanthiranga says

September 21, 2019 at 11:32 am

I have a temporary residence permit in Serbia. Can I visit Schengen countries without visa?

September 22, 2019 at 4:05 am

Hi Kanthiranga! No. Serbia is not part of the Schengen zone. Therefore, you cannot use your Serbia visa/residence permit to enter Schengen countries. You REQUIRE a Schengen visa.

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Travelling in the EU

Your rights & eu rules.

As an EU national, you enjoy the right of free movement. This means you’re entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. If you’re a citizen of a Schengen country  – which is most EU countries – you’re also free to travel to other Schengen countries without the need for border checks.

As an EU national, you can also benefit from EU-wide passenger rights for travel into, out of or within the EU by air, rail, bus/coach or ship. You can travel with pets and other animals in the EU provided you comply with the rules (pet passports). There are EU limits on taking alcohol, tobacco or cash with you to another EU country. Each EU country can set its own limits or restrictions, so check before you go.

Travelling to or within the EU? Follow the links below to check which documents you need to take.

Documents you need to travel in the EU

Information on travel documents needed by EU nationals, non-EU national family members, non-EU nationals and children when entering the EU or travelling across it. Find out what to do if you lose your passport or it expires when travelling in the EU.

Public Register of Authentic travel and identity Documents Online (PRADO)

View authorised travel and identity documents issued by EU countries and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

Schengen – ID-free travel zone

What is it.

The Schengen area is a travel zone without borders between the 29 Schengen countries. It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it’s kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland). It guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU nationals.

Any person, irrespective of nationality, can travel between Schengen countries without going through border checks. However, national authorities can carry out police checks at borders between these countries and in border areas.

Having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external borders on the basis of Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling in the Schengen area.

See all the Schengen countries

Common visa policy

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

In practice, this means that if you’re cleared to enter one Schengen country, you can travel to any of the other Schengen countries without having to show your travel document again.

Follow the links below for more information about your rights when travelling in the EU.

What can you take with you?

Information on what you can take with you when travelling in the EU, including pets, food, alcohol, tobacco and cash. Find out the luggage restrictions when flying from an airport in the EU and which EU countries use the euro.

Air passenger rights

Information on where and when EU air passenger rights apply and how to make a complaint. Find out who to contact if you need help or advice with your claim.

Assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

Information on your rights if you’re travelling in the EU with a disability or reduced mobility. See if you’re entitled to an EU disabled parking permit.

Further information

Using the euro

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How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days

When I planned my move to Sweden a few years ago, I tried to figure out how to get past the 90-day limit placed on tourist visas in the Schengen Area. This is a problem encountered by thousands of travelers every year and a question that regularly (especially this time of year) pops up in my inbox.

“How can I stay in Europe for more than 90 days?”

It’s a simple question with a very complicated answer.

I always knew it was complicated, but until I started researching how to stay there longer, I never knew just how complicated.

Fortunately, in the process of this research, I came to learn there are a few ways to stay in Europe longer than 90 days; they just aren’t well known.

This post will teach you the options for staying in Europe over 90 days as well as give you tips on how to move to Europe. But first a few things:

It’s important to note that Europe isn’t just one place — there are varying visa rules throughout the continent. When people talk about the “90-day limit,” they’re talking about restrictions on the Schengen Area, which is the visa policy that governs 27 countries in Europe. It includes most of the European Union as well as a few non-EU countries.

Note: While I call it the “Schengen Visa,” it’s not an actual visa you necessarily need to apply for. Depending on your residency status and country of citizenship, you may need to apply in advance for a Schengen Visa, however, those with an American passport do not need to apply in advance.

However, it should be noted that as of 2025, visitors from 60 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) will need to apply for an online ETIAS, which is essentially a visa waiver, when entering the 23 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries of the Schengen. It is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can apply and pay online up to 96 hours beforehand. It is similar to the US version of ESTA (or the eTA in Canada). ETIAS cost 7 EUR for those 18-70 years old and are free for those under 18 years or over 70.

If you come from a country that requires you to get a Schengen visa you will not need to apply for ETIAS. It’s one or the other. Learn more here . (The ETIAS was originally set to launch in 2024, but has been pushed back.)

Table of Contents

• What is the Schengen Visa?

Part 1: Staying or Moving to Europe the Easy Way

Part 2: staying in the schengen area past 90 days.

• Take Advantage of the Bilateral Agreement
• Working Holiday Visas
• Long-Term-Stay Visas
• Student Visas
• Freelancer Visas
• Marriage Visas

What is the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is a 90-day tourist visa for Schengen Area countries, which are:

• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

  Additionally, there are several microstates that are de facto members of the Schengen Area. These are Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

These Schengen countries have a border-free visa agreement that lets residents move throughout the Area without needing to show their passports every time they cross a border. Essentially, it’s as if they’re one country, and you can move as freely as you want.

Citizens of many countries are allowed to enter the Schengen Area without having to get a visa beforehand. Your passport simply gets stamped upon your arrival and departure from Europe. You’re allowed to enter and leave from any country you want — they don’t have to be the same.

Here is a map of the countries with visa waivers that can enter the Schengen without requiring a visa in advance.

Most visitors (including Americans) are allowed to spend 90 days in the Schengen Area in every 180-day period. The easiest way to think of it is that you can visit for 3 months and then you have to leave for 3 months before you can return.

However, you can also bounce back and forth between Schengen and non-Schengen countries — you just need to keep track of all your dates of entry/exit.

When I visit Europe, I fly in and out of different countries all the time. Your first entry in the 180-day period is when your 90-day counter starts. These days don’t need to be consecutive — the total is cumulative. Once day 181 hits, the count resets itself.

For example, if I come to the Schengen Area in January and stay for 60 days and then come back in June for 10 days, that counts as 70 days in 180 days. Only days you are in the zone during the period count. If you go on January 1st and stay 90 straight days, you have to leave and technically can’t come back until July 1st.

If you’re doing a lot of bouncing around, use the EU’s Schengen visa calculator . Simply input all your travel dates and it’ll tell you how many days you have remaining.

However, not all travelers are allowed such freedom.

Citizens from many countries need to apply for a Schengen visa ahead of time. You’ll be required to fill out paperwork beforehand and fly in and out of the country for which your visa is issued.

Even then, you still might not be granted a visa. Spoiler alert: citizens from African and Asian countries get screwed.

So, with that being said, how DO you stay in Europe longer? How do you get around that rule? Let me break it down for you.  

Most non-Schengen countries such as Moldova , Ireland , and some Balkan countries allow you to stay for up to 60 or 90 days. Albania even lets Americans stay up to a year!

So, all you need to do to stay in Europe longer than 3 months is spend 90 days in the Schengen Area and then visit the UK, go to the Balkans, drink wine in Moldova, and have a pint in Ireland. If you align your schedule right, you can easily be out of the Schengen Area for 90 days and then head back into the Schengen Area with a brand new Schengen visa.

Years ago, to get around this limit, I spent three months in Bulgaria , Romania , Ukraine , and England as I waited for my clock to reset.

After that, I headed back into the Schengen area for Oktoberfest .

If you want to travel the continent for a long time without having to go through the various visa processes described below, vary your travel by visiting non-Schengen countries. There are plenty of countries to choose from while you wait for your Schengen Visa clock to reset. This is the easy, hassle-free way of doing things.

If this is your plan for traveling around Europe, make sure you have travel insurance. For just a few dollars a day, you’ll ensure that you’re covered should something go wrong during your trip.

My go-to travel insurance company is SafetyWing . Their Nomad Insurance is super affordable and covers delays, lost luggage, and trip interruption (when you’re bouncing around the continent, delays are inevitable). It also includes $250,000 in emergency medical coverage, ensuring you don’t go bankrupt should you need medical assistance. They have great customer service too so it’s fast and easy to make a claim or ask questions.

I never visit Europe without travel insurance. You shouldn’t either!

—-> Need more tips for Europe? Visit my destination guide and get in-depth information on what to see and do and how to save money .  

After all, the Schengen Area spans 27 countries and visiting so many destinations in 90 days can be a little rushed (you would have an average of just 3.5 days per country).

If you want to stay longer to travel, live, learn a language, or fall in love, then the “move around” option suggested above isn’t going to work for you. You need something else.

Luckily, there are a few ways to do this — and I can’t stress enough the importance of the word “few.” Because staying more than 90 days in the Schengen Area isn’t easy.

First, let’s understand the rule:

The Schengen law states that you can’t stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days. If you do, you’re subject to a fine and possibly deportation and being banned from re-entering the Schengen Area. How that rule is enforced, though, varies greatly from one country to another. Overstaying by a day might not be the end of the world, however, some countries do not mess around with visitors overstaying.

For example, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries are all very strict about entry and exit rules. If you overstay your tourist visit, there’s a good chance they’ll pull you aside. Two Australians I know were detained leaving Switzerland due to overstaying their visa by two weeks. They were allowed to go with just a warning, but they missed their flights and had to book new flights.

I know of someone who overstayed by six months, tried to leave from Amsterdam, and now has an “illegal immigrant” stamp on her passport. In order to enter Europe again, she must apply for a visa at an embassy and be preapproved:

I made the mistake of attempting to leave from the Netherlands after overstaying a Schengen visa and was caught. I overstayed by about a month, and they hand-drew some sort of insignia in my passport to note my overstay. They told me I’d have to contact the IND and find out if I would be able to enter the Schengen states again.

Another blogger told me this happened to them too so don’t overstay your visa!

That being said, if you leave from Greece , France , Italy , or Spain you may be less likely to encounter an issue, provided you (a) haven’t stayed over too long and (b) didn’t catch the immigration officer on a bad day.

When I left Greece, no one even looked at my passport. One of my friends met a guy in France, fell in love, and decided not to leave. A year later, when she finally did, the French officials didn’t even look twice. Another friend flew into France and didn’t even get an entry stamp. Spain is another place notorious for not caring and Americans who decide to overstay for months mention that as the easiest country to exit from. Still, it’s a good idea not to take your chances.

Of course, I don’t think it’s wise to overstay. A day or two? Likely not the end of the world. But a few weeks? A few months? The risk is too great. The fines can be large and I love going to Europe too much to risk being banned.

But, Matt, can I extend just extend my Schengen visa/stamp?

Unfortunately not. Simply put, you cannot extend your tourist visa or entry stamp. There’s a 90-day limit, and that’s that.

So what’s a tourist to do?  

1. Take advantage of the Bilateral Agreement

There are 23 Schengen countries to date with bilateral agreements in place with Austria having the most visa waiver agreements (for 27 non-EU countries). Moreover, there are 12 countries that have bilateral agreements with Australia.

For example, France has a bilateral agreement that allows U.S. citizens to stay an additional 90 days beyond the Schengen limit. You can enter from any Schengen country, stay 90 days in France, and then fly home. But the catch is you have to go home — you can’t go elsewhere. You have to leave Europe so you can’t use your time in France as a sneaky way to reset your Schengen clock.

Now, the France/U.S. rule is tricky. It’s based on a post-World War II agreement that was never canceled. Multiple French consulates told me yes, they thought this law existed but couldn’t tell me where to find it. A few visa services told me I was crazy. One consulate told me it was possible but only with a long-term visa.

BUT, after many calls, the US, Canada, and UK French embassies told me that yes, this law does exist and that yes, this is still valid. Then they referenced me to the French national archives.

Well, we found the actual diplomatic papers that spell this out . It took us close to a year to find it but we did.

This is the note from the French government about it:

Hi, There is a bilateral agreement between French and the U.S. by exchange letters (March 16-31 mars 1949), which allows American citizens to stay in France 90 days over 180 days, irrespective of the stays already made in other Schengen countries. However, this agreement has been made before the Schengen agreement. Today, as there is no more border control between the Schengen countries, it is very difficult to determine how long a person has stayed in France and we heard that some people had troubles with the immigration police while leaving France. Therefore, we recommend American citizens to respect the Schengen regulation which allows a maximum of 90 days on 180 days in the whole Schengen area. Consulat général de France, Service des visas 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington DC, 20007

A follow-up to the London embassy gave me this response:

“Whilst the bilateral agreement you refer to has not officially been revoked, the French Border Police has sole authority on deciding whether to apply it or not, at the time of entering or exiting the Schengen area.”

So this is really a thing. And, while they don’t like you using it, it’s still the law. Just bring proof you stayed in France for 90 days! If you plan to use this rule, bring documentation as border guards may not be aware of it.

Additionally, Denmark, Norway, and Poland also have bilateral agreements with the United States that let citizens stay an additional 90 days in each country separate from the regular Schengen Zone visa. The Denmark rule applies exactly the same way as the French one. Denmark also has a bilateral agreement that is applicable for citizens of Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea .

That said, travelers can only use the Norwegian or the Danish bilateral agreement — they can’t use both (time in Norway under the bilateral agreement counts as time in Denmark and vice versa).

For Poland, you must enter and leave Poland via a non-Schengen country where you will be stamped again (i.e., direct flight from NYC). So you could do 90 days in the Schengen, fly to the UK, and then fly to Poland. Poland’s rules are simply laid out in an agreement letter the U.S. and Poland signed in 1991. ( Here’s a copy of the letter from the Polish government) .

In theory, there are also other bilateral agreements between the U.S. and Schengen countries. I’ve been told by multiple sources that Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Norway, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands all have their own bilateral agreements with the U.S. as well. This page outlines the existing bilateral agreements .

However, I reached out to each country’s consulate and none of them replied (save Portugal) in any meaningful way. They simply directed me to the standard visa FAQ page.

Regarding Portugal, a representative from the Portuguese consulate said this regarding their bilateral 60-day visa:

Please note that those 60 days are an exceptional extension that needs to be requested within Portugal at SEF office near your temporary address in Portugal.

Now, in theory, one could say thanks to borderless travel you could get your “extra 90 days in Denmark” and then just travel around, fly out of Denmark, and no one would be the wiser. One could say that. But I’ve noticed a lot more intra-Europe passport checks in recent years. I got yelled at in France for not having my passport with me while on a train to see a chateau. So, I wouldn’t recommend doing this.

Note: Most countries have bilateral agreements with other countries. Call the local embassy for more information (you’ll have better luck calling than emailing).  

2. Get a Working Holiday Visa

There is no single “working holiday” program for the Schengen or EU so applicants must apply for a visa from a specific country. Usually, applicants must be younger than 30, though age restrictions are becoming more relaxed in recent years.

Additionally, you can get consecutive working holiday visas. An Australian reader of mine got a two-year Dutch working holiday visa and then got one from Norway to stay two more years. While she and her boyfriend (who also got one) did odd jobs in Holland for a bit, they mostly used it as a way to travel around the continent.

Note : This type of visa won’t allow you to work in any other country than the one that issued it.

For Americans, there are only two options for working holidays in Europe: Ireland (non-Schengen country) and Portugal (Schengen country). Both programs are essentially the same, providing a 12-month work visa to those either currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a higher education institution.

While you must be at least 18 to apply, there’s no upper age limit, provided that you fit the other criteria. For the Portuguese visa, you can only work for 6 months out of the 12-month visa, while the Irish visa has no work restrictions.

3. Get a Long-Term-Stay Visa

However, in 2023, if you have a fully online business, there are countries within Schengen that allow digital nomad visas provided you make a certain amount of money per month and have your own health insurance. Countries that currently offer digital nomad visas include Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Romania, Spain, and Norway.

The countries that allow you to apply with the lowest online salary are Portugal, Hungary, Malta, and Croatia, which require around 2,500 EUR in income per month.

Schengen allows for a C- or D-class visa (the letter varies on the country), which is a temporary residence visa for up to one year. But the specific visa and requirements vary from country to country. Some countries are harder, some are easier, and others are nearly impossible despite being in the same visa treaty zone.

However, there are a few countries that do offer long-term visas that aren’t too hard to get:  

France offers a long-term visitor visa for a period of up to one year. According to the French Embassy, “The ‘visitor’ visa (or visa ‘D’) allows you to enter France and stay for more than three months. Long-stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay.”

To get this visa, you must set up an appointment at the French consulate near you. You can’t walk in — you must make an appointment.

At this appointment, you’ll need the following documents:

• One application form filled out completely and signed
• Three passport photos
• Your original passport, which must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for three months after your return, and have at least two blank pages left
• A letter certified by a notary public that promises you won’t engage in work
• A letter of employment stating current occupation and earnings
• Proof of income (you’ll need copies of a pension certificate or your last 3 bank statements)
• Proof of medical insurance that includes evacuation insurance and medical coverage of at least €30,000 (a copy of your US health insurance card is not acceptable as proof, you need a detailed description of coverage)
• Proof of accommodation in France. (If you don’t have an official document such as a sublet agreement, you can include a letter describing your accommodation arrangements).

Note : You can’t apply for this visa more than three months before your arrival date.

France-Visas is the official visa website for France. It details all the types of visas and has a helpful “visa wizard” where you put in your situation and it tells you what type of visa you should apply for as well as all the documents that you need.

You can also visit the French Embassy website for links to local embassies and consulates for more information. Find your closest consulate here .

This post has some helpful information to get you started on long-term visas in particular .  

Sweden also offers a long-term stay tourist visa for a maximum period of one year. Here’s a brief overview of what you need:

• Residence permit for visitor’s application form
• Notarized copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity and the validity of your passport, as well as copies of all the other visas/stamps you have. Your passport also needs to be valid for 3 months after your stay.
• A bank statement showing your means of supporting yourself for the duration of your stay (450 SEK for each day of your stay)
• A return airplane ticket
• Proof of medical coverage of at least 30,000 EUR

Most people who apply for this visa have family in Sweden. If you don’t, you’ll need to have clear reasons as to why you need to stay longer and show ample proof that you can support yourself (i.e., “I want to meet Swedish guys/girls” won’t cut it!).

You can apply either in Sweden or outside the country. If you’re applying from Sweden, you can apply online, and then make an appointment at the consulate or embassy to show your passport and get fingerprinted. If you’re applying outside of Sweden, you need to file your application in person at the consulate or embassy. When you file your application abroad, you’ll also be interviewed about your intended trip and the purpose for staying in Sweden.

You can learn more about the process on this government page .

Spain offers a couple of long-term visas. The Golden Visa is based on a sizable financial investment in Spain, either into a company (minimum 1 million EUR), real estate (minimum 500,000 EUR), or invest in a new business such as in science or tech that creates local employment opportunities. The other more attainable and popular long-term visa targets retirees and is called the Non-Lucrative Residence Visa. It requires that you spend at least 183 days in Spain, which would make you a legal resident for tax purposes. During this time, you are unable to work in Spain (so you’ll need to have enough savings to get you by). However, studying and unpaid internships are permitted.

The big catch for this visa is that you need to have at least 26,000 EUR in your bank account (ideally more). Since the visa is designed for retirees, the assumption is that you’re coming here to rest on your financial laurels after a lifetime of saving up — hence the sizeable requirement.

The visa has been denied to people who are remote workers so I wouldn’t recommend this visa if you’re a digital nomad (Spain is supposedly working on a visa specifically for digital nomads, though it’s not currently available). This is a bit of a gray area though. If you can show enough savings to financially sustain yourself for a year without working, you can get this visa. You just cannot use monthly statements (such as from your remote job) to prove income; financial proof must be savings or passive income (such as a pension).

In addition to having sizable savings, you’ll also need to fill out the application, submit your passport and additional photos, pay a fee, and provide the following:

• Proof of private health insurance (from an authorized company in Spain not travel insurance)
• A doctor’s note certifying that you’re healthy
• A criminal background check translated into Spanish

You must apply for this visa in your country of residency (usually with the help of lawyers). The application varies per country, usually between 120-900 EUR (it’s around 125 EUR for Americans and over 500 EUR for Canadians).

This consulate page has all the specific details you need regarding the application .

Portugal has multiple long-term stay visas. First, there is a Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment in the country of 280,000 EUR and takes around 18 months to process. The D7 Passive Income visa, which is similar to Spain’s non-lucrative visa, is more realistic for most people.

To apply for the D7 visa in Portugal you need:

• Proof of health insurance covering at least 30,000 EUR
• A background check
• Proof of financial means to stay in Portugal (8,460 EUR)
• 2 passport photos
• Proof of accommodation

The main difference between the Portuguese and Spanish long-term visas is that you only need an income of around 8,460 EUR instead of the 26,000 EUR in savings that the Spanish visa requires. You still cannot work on this visa, so your income must be passive (investments, pension, rental property, etc.).

The D7 visa can work for digital nomad as it is valid for 4 months. Portugal is much more accepting of remote work as proof of income for the visa application than Spain.

Portugal also offers the D2 immigrant Entrepreneur visa, which isn’t designed specifically for digital nomads, but could be used by specific entrepreneurs. You’ll need to submit a business plan and demonstrate you have enough capital to get started. You’ll also need to explain why you want to start your business in Portugal (or move it there). You’ll have a much higher chance of getting approved if you have invested upwards of 5,000 EUR in your business and speak some Portuguese (it’s not required, but these visas are regularly rejected so it will give you a leg up).

In short, there are a lot of steps for a temporary visa. However, you can get this extended and eventually apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years.

You’ll need to apply for both of these visas in your country of residency.

The official Portuguese visa website has more information about specific visas and requirements. You can locate your nearest Portuguese consulate here .

A note on long-term visas: Keep in mind that the information above is just for reference. There may be more requirements needed for your application and not all visas are open to everyone. You’ll want to contact your local embassy for specifics and additional information.  

4. Get a Student Visa

All Schengen Area countries offer student visas that are easy to obtain so long as you’re enrolled in a recognized university program. This would require you to pay for the course and you may also have to show proof of minimum fund requirements, but it will virtually guarantee you a visa if you are accepted.

One of the best countries to do this is Spain, where a whole industry has sprung up to help students study Spanish. There are tons of schools that will allow you to enroll and write letters stating you’re a student there. You’ll need to apply in your home country but the process is relatively straightforward. This post details the requirements .

Germany is another popular choice, as post-secondary schools there are essentially free. While there may be more competition, the costs are much lower. However, you need to show proof that you have money in a bank account to cover your expenses. As of October 2022, that amount is 11, 208 EUR in a blocked bank account.

In Germany, you might also be able to work up to 120 full days, or 240 half days (20 hours a week) while you study as well. You can learn about the application process here .

While most student visas allow you to stay in a country for one year, I would only consider getting one if you actually plan on studying. If you’re just getting a student visa to travel and play tourist, it’s not going to be worth the cost and paperwork since you’ll need to set up everything from a residential address to a bank account to a local phone number and more.  

5. Get a Freelancer/Remote Worker Visa

There are several countries that offer freelancer visas and visas geared towards the increasing number of remote workers. This process is a little more complicated and not for the casual tourist. These visas are meant for people who actually want to live and work in Europe. If you’re just a casual tourist, expect to be denied. But if you’re a digital nomad, this is the visa for you.

Schengen countries that offer freelancer or remote worker visas include:

• Germany (no set income amount, but you need a business plan and upwards of 10,000 EUR in savings)
• Estonia (3,500 EUR income/month)
• Czechia (5,600 EUR in savings)
• Portugal (2,800 EUR income/month)
• Greece (3,500 EUR income/month)
• Malta (2,700 EUR income/month)
• Hungary (2,000 EUR income/month
• Croatia (17,800 HRK (2,300 EUR income/month)

Non-Schengen countries that have them include:

• Romania (no set income, reports of successful applicants range from about 3,700 EUR/month)
• Georgia (2,000 USD income/month)
• Iceland (1,000,000 ISK income/month (6,617 EUR), only valid for up to 6 months)

Germany is the country most used by people who want to reside in Europe. If you’re a freelancer, digital nomad, artist, or have some form of income, this is the visa to get. If you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S., Israel, South Korea, or Japan you can apply after you arrive in Germany (everyone else needs to apply in advance).

The visa only lasts for three months, however, it is designed to be extended into a residency visa which would then last for three years. I have many friends who have gotten this visa. As long as you follow the steps, you should be fine. This post has more information about the process .

Most of these visas follow a similar format: apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can stay afloat, then wait to be accepted. However, some have more stringent requirements.

For example, Estonia’s freelancer visa requires a monthly income of at least 3,500 EUR per month leading up to your application. For the Czechia visa, you need to have at least $6,000 USD in your bank account (the lovely folks at Wandertooth, who did this process a couple of years ago, can walk you through the steps ).

If you are a digital nomad and are considering working remotely from the EU you can compare these programs to see which one bests suits your goals (though Germany is likely the best place to start since it’s one of the easiest to get).  

6. Get Married to a European

Fall in love with a European (or at least a friend) and apply for a marriage visa! You’ll get to stay there while the application process goes through and then you can move to Europe and stay there forever with the love of your life! That’s a win-win! (This is a joke. Don’t get married just for a visa to stay in Europe!)

The best, easiest, and most effective way to stay in Europe long-term is to increase the number of countries you visit so you’re in the Schengen Area for only 90 days. As I said, there are a lot of countries not in the Area so this is easy to do.

If you’re like me and want to stay in the Schengen Area longer than 90 days (or just want to move to Europe because it’s awesome), be prepared to work the system. It’s not impossible to stay long-term in the Schengen Area. By understanding the system and using the few loopholes that do exist, one can legally stay past 90 days and enjoy all Europe has to offer without worrying about being barred for life.  

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My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to Europe: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

For suggestions on where to stay during your trip, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Europe .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

NOTE: Due to the complexities of visas and the uniqueness of everyone’s situation, we do not answer any visa related questions in the comments or via email. Thank you.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Schengen area

The Schengen area is made up of 27 European countries that agreed to create common entry and exit requirements in order to remove the need for internal borders. As long as Schengen area entry requirements are met, the agreement allows foreigners to travel freely between participating countries without having to go through border controls (some exceptions apply, see below).

Schengen area countries

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Entry/exit requirements

The Schengen area has common rules about visas and controls at external borders and has abolished checks within its internal borders. However, some Schengen area countries may require you to register with local authorities shortly after you arrive, particularly when you are staying in private accommodations.

Canadians do not need a visa to travel to countries within the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you leave the Schengen area and return within the same 180-day period, the previous stay will count against the permitted 90 days.

If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, you must contact the  high commission or embassy  of the country or countries to which you are travelling and obtain the appropriate visa before you travel. If you do not obtain the appropriate visa and you stay longer than the permitted 90 days in the Schengen area, you may be fined or deported.

It is important to get your passport stamped when you first enter the Schengen area. If you do not have an entry stamp from your first Schengen port of entry, you may have problems if you encounter the local police (or other authorities) anywhere in the Schengen area during your visit or with immigration officials at the time of departure.

The European Commission’s  Migration and Home Affairs  web page provides more information and a calculator to help you to find the number of visa-free permitted travel days you have left in the Schengen area, taking into account your previous stays there.

The Schengen Borders Code allows member states to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls if there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security. Canadians wishing to enter a Schengen area country that has reintroduced internal border controls could be required to present a passport, valid for at least three months from the time of expected departure from that country. For more information, visit the European Union’s  Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control web page.

• Factsheet: What is Schengen? , European Commission
• Schengen, Borders and Visa , European Commission

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Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2024

EU citizens’ right to travel without a visa

Last updated on Tuesday, 09/07/2024

Being an EU citizen grants you the right to travel freely within the Schengen Area. Guaranteeing this freedom of movement – whether entering, leaving, or travelling within the EU – has always been a cornerstone principle of the European Union. And Europeans travel a lot! According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, 62 % of EU residents made at least one personal tourism trip in 2022. But how is it possible to travel inside the borders of the European Union?

The freedom of movement in the European Union

Let’s start with some good news: EU citizens don’t need a visa to travel inside the European Union! Moreover, some of the EU countries’ passports are among the strongest ones in the world: this means that they allow you to travel to many countries outside the EU without the need for a temporary visa.

Why do EU citizens have all these advantages when it comes to travelling? To find a proper answer, we should take a step back to 1948, when the first treaty among the future founders of the European Union was signed. The countries agreed to create an area where EU citizens could travel and move without border checks.

The first concrete attempt to guarantee this right to EU citizens was the Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985 by Belgium, Netherlands, West Germany, France and Luxembourg: these countries created the so-called Schengen area and committed to reducing internal border controls to allow free movement of persons between countries.

Nowadays the Schengen area is the world’s largest open travel zone, involving more than 400 million European citizens and consisting of 23 Member States and 4 non-Member States - Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This allows to efficiently coordinate the entry of legal visitors into the EU and transit or intended stays in the territory of a Schengen state of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

In 2023, Romania and Bulgaria struck an agreement to partially join Europe's Schengen travel zone by air and sea starting from March 2024 , with further negotiations to follow on land borders!  

© Eurodesk Brussels Link, 2023

What do you need to travel inside the European Union?

If you are an EU citizen

As a citizen of the European Union, you have the right to move freely across all EU Member States, not just within the Schengen area. This means you can travel, work, or study in any other EU country using just your ID card or passport — no visas, work permits, or residence permits needed! Plus, your family members can join you on your adventures without any extra hassle. If you want to learn more about this freedom and its origins, check out the Guide to EU Citizenship and the Guide on Free Movement . In the Schengen area , things get even easier. Anyone, no matter where they're from, can travel without facing border checks. Just remember to carry your ID card or passport , as you might need to show it to authorities or when boarding a plane.

If you are travelling from or to a non-Schengen country it is mandatory to travel with an ID card or a passport as it will be checked by the local authorities. Be aware, that driving licences, post, bank or tax cards are not accepted as valid travel documents or proof of identity.

When travelling to or from a non-Schengen country you must show a valid ID or passport. Before travelling, check what documents you must have to travel outside your home country and to enter the non-Schengen country you plan to visit.

When travelling within the EU it is also important to have your European Health Insurance Card : which is a free card that allows you to receive health assistance under the same conditions as in your home country.

If you aren't an EU resident

The situation for residents who are not EU citizens (often referred to as third-country nationals) can be more complex. Their rights to work, study, or move freely within the EU might depend on their specific residency status and the regulations of the member state they wish to reside in.

Emergencies and registration while travelling abroad

Suppose you are abroad and you lose your travel documents (passport or ID card). In that case, you should denounce the loss to the local authorities and contact your country’s consulate or embassy : they will provide you with an Emergency Travel Document to be used until you come back home.

Besides, EU citizens are entitled to seek help from the embassy or consulate of any other EU Member State if they find themselves in a situation where they need assistance outside the EU, with no embassy or consulate from their own Member State effectively in a position to help them.

Last but not least, if you know that you are going to spend more than 90 days (3 months) in another country it is highly recommended to contact the local municipality and register your temporary residence as a foreigner. Remember to always check the national/local rules before travelling.

Going abroad has never been so easy!

The freedom of movement in the European Union is a fundamental point of the Maastricht Treaty. Thanks to these advantages you are given the opportunity to live a concrete experience abroad, like a cross-border volunteering programme of the European Solidarity Corps or a Youth Exchange activity. What are you waiting for? Going abroad has never been so easy!

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link

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Visas and entry requirements in europe and the schengen area.

This page is for Australians travelling to Europe.

Read this page to learn about:

• the Schengen Area
• entry and exit to the Schengen Area
• other European countries with visa waivers
• non-Schengen European countries

The Australian Government doesn't issue visas for other countries. We can't provide final information on border rules. Ask your destination's high commission, embassy or consulate for details before you travel.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is made up of 27 European countries with common border rules. It lets travellers move freely between member countries without

• going through border controls
• getting a visa for each country.

The members of the Schengen Area are:

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland

Bulgaria  and  Romania  partially joined the Schengen area on 31 March.  Border checks should have ceased for air or sea travel  between Bulgaria, Romania, and other Schengen Area countries. Checks are still undertaken for land-based travel. Stays in Bulgaria and Romania now count towards your total visa-free stay in the Schengen Area (see below).

Entry and exit in the Schengen Area

Australians can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Your travel must be for:

• business purposes
• visiting friends and family
• tourism and holidays
• cultural and sports events
• official visit
• medical reasons
• short-term study

Apply at the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country where you'll stay the longest. If you're staying for the same length of time in each country, apply at the embassy of the country you'll visit first.

You'll need to apply for a visa if:

• you're planning to stay for more than 90 days
• your reason for travel changes, and you no longer qualify for visa-free travel.

You'll need to apply outside the country you want a visa for.

Calculating your 90/180 days

Calculating your visa-free days can be complicated. The European Commission provides a calculator to help you track your visa-free days .

• The 180 days isn't fixed in time. It's calculated backwards from today.
• Your 90 days are calculated from your first day in the Schengen Area within the 180 days.
• If you leave and return within 180 days, your last stay will count towards the 90-day maximum.
• If you use up your visa-free days, you must leave until you accumulate more or apply for a visa.
• You may be fined or banned from the Schengen Area if you overstay your 90 days.

Example You arrive in Spain on 18 March. You fly to the UK on 21 April and stay there until the 29th. On 30 April, you travel to Greece and stay until 23 June. Your trip was 97 days, but only 90 were in the Schengen Area. You can't re-enter the Area until at least 14 September, when the Spanish leg of your trip falls outside your 180 days. If you re-enter on 14 September, you can only stay another 35 days as your time in Greece still counts towards your current 90 days. If you re-enter on 22 September, you can stay another 90 days, as you haven't been in the Area in the past 180 days .

Entering and exiting the Schengen Area

You must show a valid passport when entering the Schengen Area.

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave.

Make sure you get a clear entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen Area for the first time. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.

Some countries need you to register within 3 days of arrival.

See our destination-specific travel advice for entry and exit details for each country. Check the European Commission for information on temporary border controls .

These visa rules only apply when travelling on your Australian passport . If you're a dual national travelling on your other passport, check the rules for that nationality.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic security system. It will do a security check before you can enter participating European countries . ETIAS is expected to start in mid-late 2025.

You won't need an ETIAS for EU countries who aren't taking part in the program.

Other European countries with visa waivers

There are other European countries where you can travel visa-free. Travel to these countries does not count towards your 90 days for Schengen Area travel.

Countries can change their border rules at short notice. Before you travel, ask your destination's nearest embassy or consulate for the latest rules.

Visa waiver agreements with Australia

Australia has visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen Area. These agreements may allow you to spend 60 to 90 days in the country for tourism.

Visa waiver agreement countries include:

Using visa waiver agreements with Schengen visa-free arrangements is complex. Each country operates the visa waiver in its own way.

Most countries need you to use the visa waiver at the end of your Schengen Area travel.

Visa-free tourism programs in non-Schengen countries

Some European countries outside the Schengen Area allow you to enter visa-free for tourism. Most let you stay up to 90 days. Some are for longer. See our country advisories for details on border rules.

• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
• United Kingdom

Non-Schengen European countries

Many European countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Non-Schengen countries have their own border rules. These countries include:

Ask these countries' high commission, embassy or consulate for visa information.

• General advice on  visas .
• Before you go, get the right travel insurance .
• Read about Australia's 11 reciprocal health care agreements .
• The Schengen Area explained

Related content

Many Australians hold two or more nationalities. If you're travelling to the country of your other nationality, find out how your citizenship can impact you.

Foreign governments often require you to get a visa before they let you enter. This page provides general advice and information about visas overseas.

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

This website does not belong to, nor is it affiliated with, the EU. The official website of the European Union is europa.eu.

• Citizens of more than 50 non-EU countries can travel to Europe without a visa.
• You can visit most European countries visa-free from these non-EU nations.

More than a billion people from across the world can enjoy visa-free travel to Europe.

Passport holders from over 50 non-EU nations can enter Europe and stay for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.

To help you understand Europe’s visa-exemption policy, this page explains:

• Which nationalities can travel to Europe without a visa
• Which European countries you can visit visa-free

From 2025, you need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to travel without a visa.

Travellers from these countries can visit Europe visa-free

If your nationality appears on the list below, you can travel to European countries without Schengen visa . You must meet the conditions for visa-free entry.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• El Salvador
• North Macedonia
• Marshall Islands
• New Zealand
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

*IMPORTANT: Special conditions apply to Ukrainian nationals at this time. The information on this page is not currently applicable to displaced Ukrainians in EU Member States.

Which European countries can I visit without a visa?

If you hold a passport from one of the listed countries, you can visit European countries where Schengen visa policy applies visa-free .

As this does not include all European nations, it’s important to know which countries are included when planning your trip.

Understand the difference between the EU and the Schengen Area

To know which European countries you can visit without a visa, it is helpful to understand the difference between the European Union and the Schengen Area.

The EU is an economic and political union . Its primary objectives are to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe.

The Schengen Area is a border-free travel region . People can travel within the Schengen Area without showing their passport or other identification.

Not all EU countries are in the Schengen Area, some are still in the process of joining. Ireland, as an opt-out, is the only EU country that is not legally obliged to join Schengen.

Which countries are in the EU and which are in the Schengen Area?

Ireland is a Schengen opt-out and is the only EU country not in the process of joining the Schengen Area.

Summary of visa-free countries in Europe

If you are visa-exempt based on your nationality, you do not need a Schengen Visa for any of the European countries in the table above except Ireland .

Europe’s visa-exemption policy applies to Schengen members and countries in the process of joining the travel area (Cyprus).

You can also visit European microstates that have open borders with a Schengen country without a visa. Schengen visa policy applies to these nations de facto, even though they are not in the EU or the Schengen Area.

These microstates are:

• Vatican City

What you need to travel to visa-free European countries

Your travel documents are checked at the external Schengen border when travelling to Europe. Here is what you need:

Biometric passport

• Issued by an eligible country.
• Valid for at least 3 months after you’ll exit the Schengen Area.
• Issued within the last 10 years.
• Starting in 2025.

ETIAS is essential to visa-free European countries

From 2025 you need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System to visit Europe without a visa.

ETIAS is a visa waiver, similar to the United States ESTA, for visa-exempt travellers. If you are from a visa-exempt non-EU nation and you are travelling to a country where Schengen visa policy applies, you do not need a visa for Europe but you do need ETIAS .

The application process is online. You need to fill out an electronic form with basic personal and passport details. The approved travel authorisation is linked to your passport and verified when you cross an external Schengen border.

You do not need to apply for ETIAS every time you travel to Europe without a visa. It is valid for 3 years (unless your passport expires sooner) and multiple trips to the ETIAS countries .

Rules for travelling to Europe without a visa

There are some limits on travelling to Europe without a visa. You can go to Europe without a visa for:

• Up to 90 days per 180-day period
• Tourism, business, and other short-stay activities

To work in Europe or stay longer than 3 months, you must apply for a visa. You need to get a national visa for your European destination.

Questions about visa-free travel to Europe

Can i travel across europe without a visa.

You can travel across Europe without a visa, provided you are from a visa-exempt nation. Your passport and, from 2025 your ETIAS, are checked at the external Schengen border.

Once you have crossed the border, you can travel freely around all countries in the travel zone. Your stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Make sure all the countries you wish to visit are included in the visa-exemption policy—visa-free entry does not apply to all countries in Europe.

What do I need to travel to Ireland?

Ireland is an EU country but it is not in the Schengen Area . Ireland sets its own visa policy which , although similar to that of the Schengen Area, is not exactly the same.

Some nationalities that enjoy visa-free entry to Schengen countries need a visa for Ireland . In addition, Ireland’s visa-exemption programme includes several additional countries.

If you plan to visit Ireland, you must check the visa requirements for your nationality.

How long can I spend in Europe without a visa?

You can go to Europe without a visa for up to 90 days per 180-day period . These can be consecutive days or divided amongst different trips.

For longer stays in Europe, you must apply for the relevant visa.

Can I travel to the UK without a visa?

Whether or not you need a visa for the UK depends on your nationality and your reason for travelling.

Citizens of several countries can visit the United Kingdom without a visa for up to 6 months for reasons including tourism, visiting family or friends, or short-term study.

You must get a visa for the UK to stay for more than 6 months or for work or long-term study. Make sure you check the latest entry requirements for your nationality.

Which European countries do I need a visa for?

If you plan to visit any of the countries listed below, you must check the visa requirements.

These countries are not part of the EU or the Schengen Area. Schengen visa does not apply which means you may need a visa to travel.