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  1. Home
  2. Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Last Updated
Monday, 07/04/2025
""

This page is for Australians travelling to Europe.

Read this page to learn about:

  • the Schengen Area
  • entry and exit to the Schengen Area
  • EES
  • ETIAS
  • other European countries with visa waivers
  • non-Schengen European countries

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

Changes to EU Carry-On Luggage Rules

The EU's rules for liquids has been temporarily reinstated in some airports which had previously allowed passengers to carry liquid containers larger than 100ml.

If you're travelling to an EU airport, the amount of liquids, gels, and creams you can take in your carry-on luggage will be restricted. These substances should be in containers of 100ml or less and passed through airport security in a clear plastic bag of around 20cm x 20cm. Liquids must be placed into a tray, separate from your luggage and other items.

You should stay informed on the latest rules and allow for plenty of time when travelling through EU airports.

The Schengen Area

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

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

The members of the Schengen Area are:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

Entry and exit in the Schengen Area

Visas

Australians can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Your travel must be for:

  • business purposes
  • visiting friends and family
  • tourism and holidays
  • cultural and sports events
  • transit
  • official visit
  • medical reasons
  • short-term study
  • research.

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

Calculating your 90/180 days

Calculating your visa-free days can be complicated. The European Commission provides a calculator to help you track your visa-free days.

  • The 180 days isn't fixed in time. It's calculated backwards from today.
  • Your 90 days are calculated from your first day in the Schengen Area within the 180 days.
  • If you leave and return within 180 days, your last stay will count towards the 90-day maximum.
  • If you use up your visa-free days, you must leave until you accumulate more or apply for a visa.
  • You may be fined or banned from the Schengen Area if you overstay your 90 days.

Example

You arrive in Spain on 18 March. You fly to the UK on 21 April and stay there until the 29th. On 30 April, you travel to Greece and stay until 23 June. Your trip was 97 days, but only 90 were in the Schengen Area.

You can't re-enter the Area until at least 14 September, when the Spanish leg of your trip falls outside your 180 days.

If you re-enter on 14 September, you can only stay another 35 days as your time in Greece still counts towards your current 90 days.

If you re-enter on 22 September, you can stay another 90 days, as you haven't been in the Area in the past 180 days.

Entering and exiting the Schengen Area

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.

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 need you to register within 3 days of arrival.

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

These visa rules only apply when travelling on your Australian passport. If you're a dual national travelling on your other passport, check the rules for that nationality.

EES

The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area is expected to start in October 2025. A specific start date hasn't been announced.

The EES is a digital border system that registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen Area. When entering the Schengen Area, you'll need to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details. 

You'll need to do this on your first visit to the EU after the EES is introduced.​ If you visit the Schengen Area again within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

This process should only take a few minutes per person, however you may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.

ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic security system. It will do a security check before you can enter participating European countries. The ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026.

You won't need an ETIAS for EU countries who aren't taking part in the program.

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

Other European countries with visa waivers

There are other European countries where you can travel visa-free. Travel to these countries does not count towards your 90 days for Schengen Area travel.

Countries can change their border rules at short notice. Before you travel, ask your destination's nearest embassy or consulate for the latest rules.

Visa waiver agreements with Australia

Australia has visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen Area. These agreements may allow you to spend 60 to 90 days in the country for tourism.

Visa waiver agreement countries include:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Luxembourg
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Sweden

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

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

Visa-free tourism programs in non-Schengen countries

Some European countries outside the Schengen Area allow you to enter visa-free for tourism. Most let you stay up to 90 days. Some are for longer. See our country advisories for details on border rules.

  • Albania
  • Armenia
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Cyprus
  • Georgia
  • Ireland
  • Kosovo
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
  • Serbia
  • United Kingdom

Non-Schengen European countries

Many European countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Non-Schengen countries have their own border rules. These countries include:

  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Albania
  • Armenia
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Cyprus
  • Georgia
  • Kosovo
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Turkiye
  • Ukraine

Ask these countries' high commission, embassy or consulate for visa information.

Read more:

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

See also:

  • The Schengen Area explained

Related content

Getting a foreign visa

It's your responsibility to make sure you have the right visa. Read our advice.

View details
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

Main navigation

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  • Who you are
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      • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
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  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
    • Consular State of Play
      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
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