Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen area

COVID-19 and travel to the Schengen Area

This advice is for Australians currently overseas. If you’re in Australia, you can't leave Australia to travel overseas unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.

The EU recently announced a recommendation to the EU member states and other Schengen Area countries on the reopening of the Schengen Area’s external borders to travellers from certain countries. As this is a recommendation only, it's up to each member state or Schengen Area country authority to decide who can enter and under what conditions. Entry requirements vary but could include:

  • requiring you to wear a mask throughout your journey
  • quarantines of 14 days or more upon arrival, some in designated facilities, some at your own cost
  • health screenings and certificates, as well as proof of adequate travel health insurance
  • travel authorisation documents to be obtained before you travel

We urge you to take extra care during these uncertain times. Additional restrictions can be imposed suddenly. Airlines can also suspend or reduce flights without notice. Your travel plans may be severely disrupted, making it difficult for you to return to your country of residence. Our ability to provide consular assistance may be limited in some places.

  • Contact your airline or travel agent for any questions relating to your travel plans.
  • Contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate of the country you’re travelling to for the latest information on their restrictions.
  • Follow the social media for the Australian embassy or high commission of the country you're in.
  • Read our travel advice for your current location and subscribe for updates.

Read more:

  • COVID-19
  • Entry requirements to EU countries (EU website). Note it is up to each member state/Schengen Area country authority to decide on their own border measures. Check the individual requirements for each country before you travel.          

This page has general information on bilateral visa waiver agreements with European countries.

The Australian Government doesn't issue visas for other countries and can't provide definitive information on entry and exit requirements. Only the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date and authoritative information about their requirements.

Contact the nearest high commission, embassy or consulate of the countries you plan to visit, well before you travel.

The Schengen area

What is the Schengen area?

The Schengen area is made up of 26 European countries, which have common entry and exit requirements. It allows travellers to move freely between member countries without having to go through border controls or have visas for each country.

The following countries comprise the Schengen area:

Entry and exit in the Schengen area

Visas

Australians don't need a visa to travel to countries in the Schengen area for 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 towards the 90 day maximum.

If you stay more than 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area without a valid visa, you may be fined or banned from entering the Schengen area.

The Delegation of the European Union to Australia and the European Commission has more information, including a calculator to help you track your number of visa-free days.

You will need to apply for a visa before you travel if you're visiting for anything other than tourism or business. Apply at the embassy, high commission or consulate of the Schengen country where you intend to stay the longest. If you'll be staying an equal length of time in more than one Schengen country, apply for your visa at the embassy of the first Schengen country you will visit. Visa rules relating to work and business visits are governed by the individual countries.

Other formalities

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 require you to register with local authorities within three days of your arrival.

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

The visa requirements described here only apply when travelling on your Australian passport. If you're a dual national and choose to travel on your other passport, you'll need to check the visa requirements for that nationality.

Non-Schengen European countries

Many European countries are not part of the Schengen area. Non-Schengen countries have their own entry and exit requirements. These countries include:

Consult the nearest high commission, embassy or consulate of these countries for visa information.

Bilateral visa waiver agreements

Australia has bilateral visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen area. In most cases, these agreements allow you to spend up to 60 or 90 days in the country for tourism, regardless of stays in other Schengen countries.

Using these visa waiver agreements in combination with Schengen visa-free arrangements is complex. Each country operates the visa waiver agreements in its own way. Most countries require you to use the visa waiver agreement at the end of your Schengen area travel. Contact the embassy or consulate of the relevant country for the details on how they operate the visa-waiver agreements.

Bilateral visa waiver agreement countries include:

Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, consult the nearest embassy or consulate of these countries for current visa information.

Other European countries with visa waivers

Some European countries outside the Schengen area allow you to enter visa-free for tourism. Travel to these countries does not count towards the 90-day maximum for Schengen area travel. Most are up to 90 days, however some are for longer. See individual country advisories for details of entry and exit arrangements.

Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, consult the nearest high commission, embassy or consulate of your destination for the latest visa information.

Read more

See also

Related content

Advice for dual nationals

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.

View details
Getting a foreign visa

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

View details