- 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.
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 a UK citizen; what travel documents do I need to enter the Schengen Area?
You can usually enter the Schengen Area with your passport for short stays or your ID if you have settlement status under the Withdrawal Agreement. But these requirements change depending on your settlement status in the EU.
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 requiresa 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!
