Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen area

Road sign saying "Schengen" in front of European village.

This page has general information on COVID-19 and travel in Europe, bilateral visa waivers and other reciprocal agreements with European countries.

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.

Read this page to learn about:

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.

COVID-19 and travel in Europe

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, EU member states and Schengen Area countries have imposed restrictions on travel into the EU and Schengen Area, as well as within the EU and the Schengen Area.  

Some EU member states and Schengen Area countries have reopened their borders to some travellers from outside the EU or Schengen Area.  Entry is subject to certain conditions and can vary between each country. Entry restrictions can change at short notice. 

COVID-19 certificates

From 1 July 2021, EU member state authorities will begin issuing ‘Digital COVID Certificates’ (EU digital certificates). These will be QR-coded certificates which certify that you have either:

  • been vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved for used by the European Medicine Agency
  • received a negative COVID-19 test result, or
  • recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 180 days.

You may be exempted from COVID-19 testing, self-isolation or quarantine requirements on entry to another EU country if you hold one of these certificates. However, it's up to each EU member state to decide whether to exempt people from COVID-19 entry restrictions. Conditions can vary between countries. Check what the entry requirements are for your destination.

If you’re legally in the EU and have been vaccinated or tested in the EU, you should be eligible to receive an EU digital certificate. You’ll need to apply through the local authorities. Some member state authorities may issue you with an EU digital certificate if you’ve been vaccinated or tested outside the EU and can provide sufficient proof. However, this is at the discretion of the local authorities. You shouldn't assume you'll be issued with a certificate or be exempted from COVID-19-related requirements. Check the local requirements before travelling.

Subscribe to the travel advice for your destination to receive updates about any changes to local measures.

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Schengen Area COVID-19 measures

In addition to meeting visa and entry requirements, you may be required to:

  • wear a mask throughout your journey
  • provide proof of a COVID-19 negative test result or vaccination status (including details of the vaccine type)
  • undertake health screenings and/or a period of quarantine or self-isolation upon arrival, some in designated facilities, some at your own cost
  • carry proof of adequate travel health insurance
  • obtain travel authorisation documents to be obtained before you travel

Read the travel advice for your destination carefully before travelling, and follow the advice of local authorities.

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 or intended destination and subscribe for updates.

Read more:

  • Read about entry requirements to EU countries (EU website). Note it's 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.

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 and other reciprocal agreements

Australia has bilateral visa waiver and other reciprocal agreements with several countries in the Schengen area. These agreements may allow you to spend up to 60 or 90 days in the country for tourism, regardless of stays in other Schengen countries.

Bilateral visa waiver and other reciprocal agreement countries include:

Using bilateral 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.

Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, consult the nearest embassy or consulate of these countries for the latest details on how they operate bilateral visa waiver and other reciprocal agreements.

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.

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