Is a visa for Europe required?

Not everybody needs a visa for Europe. It depends if you’re a EU-citizen or not.

FOR EU CITIZENS

You will not need a visa for traveling within the EU. When entering or leaving the EU at the external borders you will need a valid passport or an ID card.

FOR NON-EU CITIZENS

You will need a valid passport.

There are 28 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for three months or less. These include Australia, Canada, Croatia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

The list of countries whose nationals require permits to travel to the United Kingdom or Ireland differs slightly from other EU countries. If in doubt, checkwith the nearest consulate of any EU country.

If your visa is from a country fully applying the Schengen rules, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well. Moreover, if you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to visit non-Schengen countries.

Border officials in EU countries may ask for other supporting documents such as an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket. For the precise requirements contact the local consular services of the EU country in question.

For more information, visit www.europe.eu

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