Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Looking for information about the changing UK entry rules? Read our article on travelling to the UK. 

On this page:

• The European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES)
• The Schengen Area
• Do I need a visa for the Schengen Area?
• Staying more than 90 days in Europe
• Non-Schengen European countries
• Passport validity requirements
• European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

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

The European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES)

The EES is currently causing delays of up to 4-6 hours in some European airports. Travellers have missed flights as a result. Take delays into account when booking your travel.

• Allow extra time between connecting flights.
• Choose flexible flight options.
• Arrive well before your flight is due to leave.

Queues to access EES self-service kiosks are long. Be prepared to stand for an extended time. Take food and water if needed. If you have mobility or health concerns that limit how long you can stand, talk to airport support staff.

The process may be quicker if the country you’re in lets you give your initial data using an EES mobile app. But still be prepared for delays.

The new digital European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) has started registering all non-EU nationals travelling in or out of the Schengen Area.

When you enter the Schengen area on your first visit to Europe, you will need to:

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions.

This will create a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen Area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide your fingerprint and/or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

The EES is free. You don't need to do anything before arriving at the border. Be alert to fraudulent websites that say you need to register or pay a fee before you travel to the EU. Only use official EU systems to provide your data.

Schengen Area trip duration rules apply to visa-free travel. The EES makes it easier for local authorities to see if you have overstayed. 

Read more about trip duration in 'Do I need a visa for the Schengen Area?' below.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries with common border rules. It lets travellers move freely between Schengen countries without:

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

Countries in the Schengen area

*Smartraveller does not provide travel advice for these destinations.

Do I need a visa for the Schengen area?

Australians can travel to the Schengen area for short trips without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your travel must be for:

• tourism, holidays, or visiting friends and family
• business purposes for your Australian employer, to attend meetings, conferences or conduct research
• cultural and sports events
• getting medical treatment
• transit

You may need to apply for a visa if you do not meet the criteria listed.

Apply at the embassy, high commission, or consulate of the country where you'll stay the longest. If you are 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 for a visa outside the country you want to visit.

Calculating 90 days in any 180-day period

Calculating your visa-free days can be complicated. You can use the  EU short-stay calculator as a helpful tool to check the duration of your authorised stay.

You can also ask the passport control officers at external borders for this information.

What happens if you overstay?

The EES can identify if you have overstayed your 90 days using your digital record. Your digital record is attached to you as a person, not your passport. That means even if you use a different passport, the system will still know if you've overstayed your visa. This is done using your biometric details.

If you do overstay, you may be:

• fined
• detained
• removed from the country
• prevented from returning to the Schengen area in the future.

Staying more than 90 days in Europe

Australia has visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen area. Some countries allow Australians to stay beyond the 90-day limit under specific conditions. Visa waiver agreement countries include:

*Smartraveller does not provide travel advice for this destination.

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

You will only be able to access one bilateral visa waiver agreement in addition to the 90-day visa free short stay in the Schengen Area. 

When you enter the Schengen Area for the first time, you should inform the border guard that you plan to use a bilateral visa waiver agreement to stay longer than 90 days.

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

Non-Schengen European countries

Some European countries outside the Schengen area allow tourists to enter visa-free. Most let visitors stay for up to 90 days, but some allow longer stays.

Passport validity requirements

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 the EU
• must have been issued within the last 10 years

The introduction of the EES will gradually replace the need for manual stamps in your passport. Until 10 April 2026, your passport may or may not be stamped, depending on your point of entry.

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.

If you're a dual national travelling on another passport, check the rules for that nationality.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be an electronic travel authorisation expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. It will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the 30 European countries. It will be valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. ETIAS is different to the EES data collection system.

Be aware of scam websites encouraging you to apply for ETIAS before the system is operational.

Dual nationals who hold the nationality of a European country will not be eligible for ETIAS. You must travel to Europe using your passport from your European nationality (similar to how Australian citizens cannot apply for an Australian visa).

Read more:

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