Frequent Asked Question on the Schengen visa-free regime for

Frequently Asked Questions on the Schengen visa-free

1. In which countries will the visa waiver apply?

The visa-free regime applies to stays in the territories of the EU Member States, except for the

United Kingdom and Ireland.

The EU Member States covered by the visa waiver are:

• the EU Member States which are part of the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech

Republic, Denmark, Estonia Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia,

Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain

and Sweden;

• the EU Member States which do not yet fully apply the Schengen acquis (those who are not

yet part of the Schengen area without internal borders): Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and

Romania

The visa waiver, in principle, also applies to the associated Schengen states: Iceland, Liechtenstein,

Norway and Switzerland.

2. Does the visa waiver include the French and Netherlands overseas territories?

As regards the France and the Netherlands, the visa-free travel shall apply only to the European

territory of these Member States. The visa regime between the overseas territories of these Member

States and the six countries remains subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries

concerned or to national legislation.

The overseas territories of France are: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, French

Polynesia, New Caledonia, Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, Saint

Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Clipperton Island and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

The overseas territories of the Netherlands are: Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles (consisting of

Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saint Eustatius and Saint Martin).

2. How long can I stay without a visa in the Schengen area?

You can stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.

When applying this rule, the following aspects should be taken into account:

• The date of entry is considered as the first day of stay in the Schengen territory;

• The date of exit is considered as the last day of stay in the Schengen territory;

Stays in these states are not calculated in the overall period of stay for the Schengen area. Instead the 90-day limit is

calculated individually for each of these states. For instance, after a 90-day stay in the Schengen area, the person can

immediately travel to Croatia and stay for another 90 days there.

• The 180-day reference period is not fixed. It is a moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards

at each day of the stay (be it at the moment of entry or at the day of an actual check, such as inland police

control or border check upon departure);

• Absence for an uninterrupted period of 90 days allows for a new stay for up to 90 days.

It should be noted that periods of previous stay authorised under a residence permit or a long-stay visa are not taken

into account in the calculation of the duration of visa-free stay. Residence permits and long-stay visas are subject to

different rules and the above explanations and calculations do not apply to them.

3. Can I enter the Schengen area more than one time during that period?

Yes, you can. However you must carefully calculate your days of stay as the overall period of stay

must not exceed the overall total of 90 (ninety) days of stay within any 180-days period (see above).

4. What travel documents are needed in order to enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen area?

A passport issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least three months after the intended

date of departure from the Schengen area.

5. Does the visa waiver give you the right to enter the territory of the Schengen States?

The visa waiver does not give an unconditional right of entry and stay. The Member States have the

right to refuse entry and stay in their territories if one or more of the entry conditions are not met.

For stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period, the entry conditions for third-country

nationals are the following:

(a) possession of a valid travel document (see question 4) or documents authorising them to

cross the border;

(b) justifying the purpose and conditions of the intended stay, having sufficient means of

subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return;

(SIS) for the purposes of refusing entry;

(d) not to be considered to be a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the

international relations of any of the Member States, in particular where no alert has been

issued in Member States’ national data bases for the purposes of refusing entry on the same

grounds.

6. What documents do I need to show to the immigration officer at the port of entry?

You need to show your passport. In addition, you might be asked to also show documents proving

your purpose and conditions of stay (for example tickets for further journeys and return tickets;

reservation of accommodation; invitation letter in case of visits, conferences or events; school

enrolment certificate in case of study etc.)

as well as evidence of sufficient means of subsistence

(see below).

7. How much money do I need to have with me in order to travel to the Schengen area?

According to Article 5(3) of the Schengen Border Code: "means of subsistence shall be assessed in

accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the

Member State(s)concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the

number of days stayed."

The verification that the third-country national concerned has sufficient means of subsistence for

the duration and purpose of the intended stay, for his/her return to the country of origin or transit to

a third country or that he/she can obtain these means legally. In order to assess the means of

subsistence, the reference amounts set by each Schengen State

must be taken into account.

The verification of sufficient means of subsistence may be based on cash, travellers' cheques and

credit cards in the third-country national's possession. Declarations of sponsorships, where such

declarations are provided for by national legislation and letters of guarantee/invitation from hosts,

as defined by national legislation, in case the third-country national is staying with a host, may also

constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.

The validity of a credit card can be verified by contacting the issuing company or by using other

facilities available at the border crossing point (e.g. exchange offices).

Invitation from hosts can be verified by contacting the host directly or by verifying the host's good

faith through the national contact points of the Member States in which the host resides.

8. Is travel medical insurance always necessary in order to travel in Schengen area?

Travel medical insurance is not mandatory for visa-free third country nationals. Nonetheless, it is

recommended to get one in case of travel to the Schengen countries.

9. For which purposes can I travel without a visa to the Schengen area?

You can come as a tourist, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges,

business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or

training and any similar activities.

However, the visa waiver does not apply to persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid

activity in the Member States, i.e. for those who come to work in the EU (see question below).

10. Do I need a visa to work in the Schengen area for less than 90 days?

The non-exhaustive list of supporting documents can be found in Annex 1 to Regulation 562/2006 (Schengen Borders

Code):

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1429693745130&uri=CELEX:02006R0562-20131126

Some MS have set reference amounts and notified to the Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/borders/borders_rights_en.htm#notifications

See also: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/borders-and-

visas/schengen/docs/lists_of_ms_notifactions_article_34_en.pdf - page 3

Yes, most of the Member States require a visa and a work permit if you intend to work there, even

if it is for less than 90 days. Please contact the Embassy/Consulate of the Member State where you

intend to work to inquire whether a special type of visa and work permit is needed.

11. If I plan to visit a friend or relative living in the Schengen area will I need to provide any

specific information on this person at the border?

You can be asked to provide information on this person. It is recommended to have at least the

address and contact number.

12. Will I need to apply for a visa and/or study permit if I plan to travel to the Schengen area

for short-term studies?

You will need to apply for a study permit only in case you intend to undertake studies exceeding 90

days of stay in the Schengen area within a period of 180 days. For longer studies you have to apply

for a study permit and the rules vary from country to country. Therefore it is recommended to

consult the Embassy/Consulate of the country in which you intend to study.

13. Once the visa free travel applies, can I travel from one Schengen country into another

country?

There are no border controls between countries in the Schengen area

Border controls are carried out between the Schengen countries and Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and

Romania (EU Member States which do not yet fully apply the Schengen acquis). Controls are also

carried out between Schengen countries and the UK and Ireland (which do not belong to the

Schengen Area).

Non-EU citizens are obliged to fulfil all entry conditions (see question 5) and might be required to

demonstrate that at possible ad-hoc controls in the Schengen area.

14. If I stay beyond 90 days (without a residence permit or a long term visa) or work in the

Schengen area (without a working permit), what can happen?

A non-EU national who stays in the Schengen area beyond 90 days (without a residence permit or

long-stay visa) is illegally present, which can result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. Working

in the Schengen area without a work permit is also illegal (even if less than 90 days) and can

likewise result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. Depending on the Member State

administrative penalties may also apply.

Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia,

Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland,

Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland