Travelling in Europe Without A Passport: Everything You Need to Know
Travelling in Europe without a passport for a short stay (less than 90 days) is possible. It all depends on where the traveler is coming from and where they are going on the continent. To better understand the regulations, we must first distinguish between three entities:
Europe is a continent made up of about 50 countries, including the 27 member countries of the European Union and the 26 member countries of the Schengen Area.
The European Union is a supranational political and economic organisation with its own institutions (such as the European Parliament). It is based on a single market that guarantees four freedoms of movement between Member States, including the free movement of people. It is composed of 27 Member States:
- Germany
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria (currently joining the Schengen Area)
- Cyprus (outside Schengen)
- Croatia (currently joining the Schengen Area)
- Denmark
- Spain
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland (outside Schengen)
- Italy
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Romania (currently joining the Schengen Area)
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden.
The Schengen Area is a zone of free movement of people, which means without systematic identity checks at internal borders. It includes 22 of the 27 EU Member States and 4 Associate States:
- Germany
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Spain
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland (non-EU)
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein (non-EU)
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Norway (non-EU)
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland (non-EU)
You Can Travel in Europe Without A Passport If...
- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above),
- Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above),
If these two conditions are met, then you can travel in Europe without a passport, even by plane. However, you will need a valid national identity card.
Are you traveling in the Schengen Area? You can cross the borders between Schengen Area countries without an identity check, but be aware that you may be subject to checks once in the country. So remember to keep your valid passport or ID card with you at all times.
Don't Forget Your EHIC
At least 2 weeks before departure, don’t forget to apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card covers all European Union citizens for medically necessary health care during a stay in a European Union country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Do you need additional insurance to cover repatriation and, depending on your situation, supplement national health care coverage? With Europ Assistance's Schengen travel insurance, you can choose between two policies with 24/7 emergency travel assistance in any Schengen Area country for as long as you wish.
You Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 1/2
- You are not a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above),
- Your destination is one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above),
In this case, traveling in Europe without a passport is not permitted. Upon arrival in a Schengen Area member country by plane or train, you must show your valid passport, issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months after your planned exit date. But that's not all.
Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Less Than 90 days for Tourism, Business or to See Family?
Depending on your nationality, in addition to a valid passport, a Schengen short-stay visa (type C or uniform Schengen visa) may be required. Finally, whether or not you have a visa, the border police may ask for supporting documents upon your arrival in a Schengen member country, including:
- Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay
- Proof of sufficient financial resources (amount differs depending on the Schengen country)
- A return ticket or proof of sufficient financial means to book one
- Documents justifying the reason for your trip (professional or personal)
- Proof of insurance covering all medical, hospital and death expenses that may be incurred during your entire stay in France, including medical repatriation expenses.
Choose peace of mind for your visa application or when crossing the border with Schengen travel insurance policies from Europ Assistance. Recognised and accepted by Schengen embassies and consulates throughout the world, our policies cover your medical expenses for up to 60,000 euros in case of illness or accident in one of the Member States of the Schengen Area, as well as additional coverage, available here.
Would You Like to Travel in the Schengen Area for Paid Work and/or A Stay of More Than 90 days?
Whatever your nationality (outside the European Union and the Schengen Area), you must apply for a work visa or a long-stay visa (type D) directly from the country you wish to visit. Find out everything you need to know about long-stay visas in France here.
You Also Need A Passport for Travel in Europe If... 2/2
- You are a citizen of one of the European Union or Schengen Area Member States (see list above),
- Your destination is a country on the European continent that is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area.
Are you a French citizen? Find out which identity document (passport, national identity card) and, if applicable, which visa you need to travel to your destination in Europe with this official simulator.
Are you a citizen of another country? Check with the embassy or consulate of the European country where you wish to travel.
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FAQ
Entering France with a Schengen Visa from Another Country
You can do so if your Schengen visa allows it. To check, read the Schengen visa sticker affixed to your passport. If it says SCHENGEN STATES, this visa authorises you to enter all the countries of the Schengen Area. If the initials of one or more countries are indicated, it means that a territorial restriction applies. In this case, you can travel only to the listed countries. More information is available here.
If you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to travel within the Schengen Area for less than 90 days, you can travel to all Schengen countries. However, you must respect the 90-day period, which includes all countries.
Can I Travel in the Schengen Area with A Receipt?
The document referred to here is a residence permit receipt. According to the law, it is a “document that proves that your application for a residence permit at your prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of residence has been received. It authorises you to stay in France for the specified period.” The interpretation of these words leads us to answer that no, you cannot travel in the Schengen Area with a receipt.
Would you like to return to France with a receipt after leaving the Schengen Area?
If you have a receipt for your first application for a residence permit, you must apply for a return visa at the French consulate in the country where you are staying.
If you have a residence permit renewal receipt, you can return to France with your receipt, your expired residence permit and a valid passport.
In both cases, you will have to prove that you meet the entry requirements (proof of residence, financial resources, etc.).