If you’re planning a trip to Europe, it’s important to know whether you need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area or not. The Schengen visa system allows visitors to travel freely across the 27 participating European countries without the need for additional visas or border controls. However, not all travelers are required to obtain a Schengen visa before entering the Schengen Area. Here’s what you need to know:
- Citizens of certain countries are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, while others must obtain one before entering the Schengen Area.
- The list of countries whose citizens are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement includes most European countries, as well as a few others such as Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
- Citizens of countries that are not on the exemption list must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to the EU. This includes countries such as China, India, Russia, and many others.
- There are also some exceptions to the Schengen visa requirement, such as for travelers with certain types of residence permits or visas issued by a Schengen country.
- It’s important to check the latest requirements and regulations before traveling to Europe, as they can change frequently and may vary depending on the purpose of your trip and the specific country you’re visiting.
Remember that not having the required documentation or visa could result in being denied entry to the EU, so it’s always best to be prepared and informed before your trip.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa?
If you are from one of the countries below, you must apply for a Schengen visa before you travel to one of the Schengen States:
Western Sahara | Algeria | Angola |
Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain |
Bangladesh | Belarus | Belize |
Benin | Bhutan | Bolivia |
Botswana | Burkina Faso | Myanmar |
Burundi | Cambodia | Cameroon |
Cabo Verde | Central African Republic | Chad |
China | Comoros | Republic of the Congo |
Ivory Coast | Cuba | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Djibouti | Dominican Republic | Ecuador |
Egypt | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea |
Ethiopia | Fiji | Vanuatu |
Gabon | Gambia | Ghana |
Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Guyana |
Haiti | India | Indonesia |
Iran | Iraq | Jamaica |
Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kenya |
Kosovo | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan |
Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho |
Liberia | Libya | Madagascar |
Malawi | Maldives | Mali |
Mauritania | Mongolia | Morocco |
Mozambique | Namibia | Nepal |
Niger | Nigeria | North Korea |
Northen Mariana | Oman | Pakistan |
Papua New Guinea | Philippines | Qatar |
Russia | Rwanda | Sao Tome and Principe |
Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
Somalia | South Africa | Sri Lanka |
Sudan | Suriname | Syria |
Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand |
Timor-Leste | Togo | Tonga |
Tunisia | Turkey | Turkmenistan |
Uganda | Uzbekistan | Vietnam |
Yemen | Zambia | |
Who Don’t Need a Schengen Visa to Enter Europe?
If you are a citizen of certain countries, you may not need a Schengen visa to enter Europe. Citizens of the following countries can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period:
Albania | Andorra | Antigua and Barbuda |
Argentina | Australia | Bahamas |
Barbados | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Brazil |
Brunei | Canada | Chile |
Colombia | Costa Rica | Dominica |
El Salvador | Georgia | Grenada |
Guatemala | Honduras | Hong Kong |
Israel | Japan | Kiribati |
Macao | Malaysia | Marshall Islands |
Mauritius | Mexico | Micronesia |
Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro |
New Zealand | Nicaragua | North Macedonia |
Palau | Panama | Paraguay |
Peru | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Samoa | San Marino |
Serbia | Seychelles | Singapore |
Solomon Islands | South Korea | Taiwan |
Timor-Leste | Tonga | Trinidad and Tobago |
Tuvalu | Ukraine | United Arab Emirates |
United Kingdom (British citizens) | United States | Uruguay |
Vanuatu | Vatican City | Venezuela |
Note that even if you are a citizen of one of the above-listed countries, there are still certain requirements that you must meet in order to enter the Schengen Area visa-free. For example, you must have a valid passport that will not expire for at least three months after your intended departure from the Schengen Area, and you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
Citizens of Which Countries Need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa?
Traveling to a Schengen Area country might require a visa for some individuals, specifically those coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and a few other countries. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the individual holds a residency permit or a valid visa for a Schengen member country, a visa for entering one of the EFTA countries, Canada, Japan, or the United States, or if they are a family member of an EU citizen (close family only) or hold a diplomatic passport, they are not required to obtain an airport transit visa.
Few Bullet points:
- Some individuals traveling to a Schengen Area country may need an airport transit visa.
- Countries subject to this rule include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and a few others.
- There are exceptions to this rule, including:
- Holding a residency permit or a valid visa for a Schengen member country
- Holding a visa for entering one of the EFTA countries, Canada, Japan, or the United States, even if they are returning from those countries
- Being a family member of an EU citizen (close family only)
- Holding a diplomatic passport.
Who Needs a Visa to Transit in Schengen?
f you are a citizen of a country outside the Schengen area and you plan to transit through one of its airports, you may need an airport transit visa. The Schengen area is made up of 27 countries in Europe that have abolished border controls between them, allowing free movement of people and goods. The airport transit visa is a document that allows you to pass through the international zone of a Schengen airport, without entering the Schengen area.
Here is a table listing the countries whose citizens need an airport transit visa to transit through a Schengen airport:
Country |
Afghanistan |
Bangladesh |
Congo (DRC) |
Eritrea |
Ethiopia |
Ghana |
Iran |
Iraq |
Nigeria |
Pakistan |
Somalia |
Sri Lanka |
It’s important to note that there are exceptions to this requirement. If you hold a residency permit from a Schengen member country, a valid Schengen visa for short or long stays, a valid visa for entering one of the EFTA countries, or are a family member of an EU citizen, you will not need an airport transit visa. Additionally, if you hold a diplomatic passport, you are exempt from this requirement. It’s always a good idea to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you will be transiting through to confirm whether or not you need an airport transit visa.