When you first enter the Schengen Area, you must have several documents to be allowed entry. These requirements change depending on whether you need a visa and your residence status in the EU.
That’s why we’ve detailed all the travel requirements needed when traveling between external and internal borders in the EU and the Schengen Area. Keep in mind that not having these documents may result in being denied entry into the EU or the Schengen countries.
Documents Required to Enter the Schengen Area
If you are a non-EU citizen who wants to visit any country in the EU or the Schengen Zone, you must have the following documents with you when you initially cross the border:
- Your passport; make sure it’s valid. EU regulations define a valid passport as “having been issued within the previous 10 years the day you enter the EU on condition that it is valid until the end of your stay plus an additional three months”.
- A Schengen visa; if you are from a country with no visa-free entry to the Schengen Area.
- Proof of ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) registration, which you will need once ETIAS is launched in April 2027 if you are from a country that doesn’t need a Schengen visa.
- Additional supporting documents that you need to have with you regardless of whether you need a visa or not:
- Proof of financial means to support your stay in the EU/Schengen Area.
- Documents that support the reason why you are visiting the Schengen Area, such as an invitation letter.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of round-trip ticket.
- Proof of travel insurance.
Schengen visa rules do not apply to Cyprus and Ireland, which are EU but non-Schengen countries; these countries operate under their own visa guidelines. So, if you are planning to visit Cyprus and Ireland please check with the respective countries what documents you need upon entry.
What Are the Differences Between ETIAS and the Schengen Visa?
Since the European Commission announced ETIAS, there has been some confusion about its function, with many assuming it is the same as a Schengen Visa. However, ETIAS and the Schengen Visa differ in several key aspects, including their classification, purpose, duration, application process, and eligibility.
The primary distinction is that ETIAS is an entry authorization, not a visa.
There are additional differences between them in terms of:
Purpose
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization required for individuals who don’t need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone and the European Union. This system is electronically linked to your passport and is checked at the borders.
The Schengen Visa, on the other hand, is required for those who do need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. If your application is approved you will receive a sticker on your visa.
Application Method
The application for an ETIAS can be completed entirely online, and it only takes a few minutes.
On the other hand, the application process for a Schengen visa is more complicated. Applicants are required to assemble a number of documents, make an appointment with a Schengen embassy/consulate, and then show up in person to apply for their visa.
Some Schengen countries have made it possible to complete some steps of the visa application online, but applicants still need to visit an embassy or consulate, which is not a requirement for an ETIAS application.
Fees
The fees for the ETIAS and the Schengen visa are as follows:
| ETIAS | 7€ |
| Schengen Visa | 90€ |
Validity and Number of Entries Allowed
ETIAS is valid for three years or for the duration of the travel document you used during the application. During its validity period, you can stay for 90 days within 180 days per entry and enter and leave the Schengen Area as often as you like, as long as you don’t exceed your allowed stay.
The duration of the Schengen visa is at the discretion of the consular officer who is handling the application. It can be issued for a few days to up to five years, and allows a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
>> How to Read a Schengen Visa Sticker?
Processing Time
Your ETIAS application will be processed within minutes. If you are required to submit extra information or attend an interview, the application may be processed manually for up to 14 to 30 days. However, i’s expected that the vast majority of cases will be processed within the 10-minute time frame. In contrast, the processing time for a Schengen Visa is longer, taking at least 15 days. Depending on individual circumstances, such as the need for additional documents or further review, the process can extend to 30 or even 60 days.
Types
While there is only one ETIAS, there are different types of Schengen visas tailored for different purposes. Whether you need to enter a Schengen country for work, study, tourism, or any other reason, you can apply for a specific Schengen visa that coincides with your plans.
Requirements
| ETIAS | Schengen Visa | |
| Do you need to provide any documents? | No – You only need to provide your email, travel document, and debit card information. | Yes – Any missing documents will prolong the application process or even cause it to be rejected. |
| Do you need to submit biometric information such as fingerprints? | No | Fingerprints and photo |
| Are you required to purchase travel insurance? | No | Yes |
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When Will I Be Asked for My Passport, Visa, & Other Documents?
Here’s where you need to show your passport, visa, and other documents :
- At a Schengen port of entry— this is the main checkpoint where you first enter the Schengen Area, either by land, air, or sea. Border patrol officers will check that your passport and visa (if you require one) are up to date and will stamp your passport before you cross the border.
- At accommodation check-in— hotels, hostels, or rental places may also ask you to show your passport when you first check-in.
- At random checks— in rare cases, random checks can happen, especially in tourist hot spots, so you need to carry your passport and other documents with you just to be on the safe side.
Romania and Bulgaria have partially joined the Schengen Area, but the land borders between them and other Schengen countries are still enforced. So, if you are driving to Romania and Bulgaria, you must carry your travel documents with you, i.e., passport, visa, and other supporting documents.
What is the First Point of Entry?
The first point of entry is the first Schengen country you enter when travelling to the Schengen Area. This could be your primary destination or a country you are transiting through on your way to your primary destination.
In essence, it is the Schengen country which will stamp your passport on arrival.
Should I Enter Schengen Through the Country Which Issued My Visa?
No, you don’t necessarily have to enter the Schengen Area through the country which issued your Schengen visa. Nonetheless, the country which issued your visa should be your primary destination.
Example: Let’s say you are travelling from New York, USA, to Rome, Italy where you will spend a vacation. However, first, you have to make a connecting flight in Frankfurt, Germany. So even though your primary destination is Italy, your first point of entry is Germany because that’s where you landed when you first entered the Schengen Area, and that’s where your passport will be stamped.
When you travel from Germany to Italy, your passport will not be stamped again with an Italian stamp because there are no border checks among Schengen countries. You will only receive another (exit) stamp after you leave Schengen altogether.
What If I Have A Multiple-Entry Visa?
If you have a multiple-entry visa, the rules of the first entry point are only valid for the very first entry to Schengen.
As long as you have your entry and exit stamps of your first trip, and your visa is still valid, you can enter the Schengen Area through any country in your subsequent trips.
What If I Don’t Enter My Primary Destination At All?
If you do not enter the country you stated as your primary destination during the visa application, you may face problems when you try to apply for another Schengen visa in the future. The consular officers will want to know why there is no stamp for your primary destination, and may ask for proof that you actually entered the country.
Will I Face Problems When I Exit If I Don't Enter the Schengen Country Which Issued My Visa?
When you exit the Schengen area, the border authorities may ask you why there is no stamp for your primary destination on your passport. If you did visit that country, you can let them know how you travelled there, and present any flight, train, or bus tickets which you used during your trip, and tell them why you had to enter through a different country.
Although there will most likely not be any problems during your exit, you may face problems for future visa applications.
What Happens After I Enter the Schengen Area?
After you enter the Schengen Area, you will not be required to go through passport control again, as there are no internal borders. However, according to Article 25 of the Schengen Code, all Schengen countries are allowed to enter temporary border checks for security reasons. If this is the case, you must carry your passport, visa, and other documents with you if you are travelling to more than one Schengen country, as you need to show them to the border patrol officers.
Illustrative Story Sarah, visiting from Brazil, joined her friend Angela in Germany. They planned to spend two weeks there before heading to Italy for some beach time.
As they drove, they reached the German-Austrian border, where temporary checks were in place. Sarah had to show her passport and visa, while Angela provided her ID as an EU citizen. Sarah was also asked by border patrol officers what was her purpose for visiting, she told them she was seeing her friend and provided an invitation letter from Angela.
Once the documents were verified, they continued their journey without any issues.
Travel Documents Required for non-EU Family Members of EU Citizens
If you are a core family member of an EU citizen visiting the EU or Schengen Area to see your family member, you’ll need a valid passport and may require a visa if you are from a country that requires an entry visa to the Schengen Area. If you need a Schengen visa, you can obtain it at an accelerated procedure and free of charge. However, you must specify in the visa application form that you are a family member of an EU citizen; otherwise, you have to pay for the visa application.
If You Have a Residence Card or Permit Issued by an EU/Schengen Country
If you have a residence permit issued by an EU country, you can usually visit any Schengen or EU country with only your permit and passport without needing a visa. But there are some exceptions, as follows:
| You have a: | You will need a visa if you come from a country that: |
|---|---|
| Residence permit or card issued by a Schengen country, but you are travelling to Ireland. | Has no visa liberalisation with Ireland. |
| Residence permit or card issued by Cyprus or Ireland, and you are visiting a Schengen country. | Has no visa liberalisation with the Schengen Area. |
| Residence permit issued by Ireland, and you are visiting Cyprus. | Has no visa liberalisation with Cyprus. |
| Residence permit issued by Cyprus, and you are visiting Ireland. | Has no visa liberalisation with Ireland. |
Illustrative Story Naledi, a South African, was issued a residence permit by Belgium— an EU country. She and her Belgian partner Thomas decided to visit some of his family who lived in Ireland.
Even though she has a residence permit from an EU country, she needs a separate Irish visa to enter the country. She applied for the visa first, and her application was approved. With all of her travel documents in check, she had no issues during border controls, and she and her partner enjoyed their visit to Ireland.
What if I Have No Visa?
If you arrive at an entry border in the EU or the Schengen Area with only your passport without an entry visa (and you require one), then the border patrol officers must allow you to provide the following:
- Proof that you are the family member of an EU citizen, e.g., a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.
- Proof that you are joining an EU family member, e.g., proof that your partner is an EU citizen and is waiting for you to join them.
Once the border patrol officer verifies these documents, then you will be issued an entry visa immediately. Please note that it is your responsibility to carry the required documents.
Travel Documents Required for Minors
All minors passing through internal or external borders in the EU or Schengen countries must have their own valid passport and a visa— if needed. Minors who are travelling alone, with one parent, or with adults who are not their legal guardians need an extra official document signed by their parents, second parent, or legal guardian authorizing them to travel.
There are no general EU guidelines in this situation, and each EU country has its own requirements for children who are travelling without their legal guardians, so please verify the requirements with your EU destination country.
FAQ
I had all the required travel documents with me, so why was I denied entry?
Even if you have all the required travel documents, you can be denied entry into the Schengen Area if border patrol officers suspect that you have either fraudulent travel documents or you may pose a risk to the EU and Schengen countries. Also, if there is an active alert related to you in SIS (Schengen Information System), you can be denied entry.
If I don’t need a visa, can I travel within the EU and Schengen Area with a driver’s license?
No, a driver’s license, post or bank card, or tax records are not acceptable travel documents. You need to have a valid passport with you.
I have an EU residence card. Can I visit other EU countries without a passport?
No, you need to have your passport with you along with your residence permit.
I am transiting through the Schengen Area to my final destination; what travel documents do I need?
You need the following documents depending on your situation:
- If you are from a country that requires a transit visa— you need a transit visa along with your passport and proof of flight ticket to your final destination.
- If you do not need a transit visa and you do not plan to leave the transit zone— you need your passport and proof of travel to your main destination.
- If you do not need a transit visa but plan to leave the transit zone, you need your passport and an entry visa if you are from a country that does not have visa-free entry to the Schengen Area.
I am an EU citizen; what do I need to travel within the EU and Schengen countries?
As an EU citizen, you can travel freely in the Schengen Area. But if temporary border checks are in place when you travel, you need to show your ID card or passport— you should carry your ID at all times with you!