Europe

Travelling in Europe is the European Union's official website for people travelling in the 27 countries of the EU. Whether you are on holiday or on business, you will find practical advice and helpful tips on a wealth of subjects, from what documents you need, to getting healthcare and using your mobile phone.

There is so much for the traveller to discover and all this has been made much easier thanks to the European Union. You can cross many borders within the EU without being checked and the euro makes it easier to shop around for bargains. So take advantage of all that is on offer and explore.

For EU citizens
Passport or identity card
There are no longer any frontier controls at the borders between 22 EU countries. This is thanks to the Schengen agreement which is part of EU law. The Schengen rules remove all internal border controls but put in place effective controls at the external borders of the EU and introduce a common visa policy. The full Schengen members are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden (but not Ireland and the United Kingdom) plus Iceland and Norway (which are not EU members).

Cyprus which joined the EU in 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania which joined in 2007 do not yet fully participate in Schengen. You will therefore need a valid passport or ID card to travel to those countries and to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

When entering or leaving the EU at the external borders you will need a valid passport or an ID card.When entering or leaving the EU at the external borders you will need a valid passport or an ID card. You may, of course, need your passport when leaving the EU in order to enter the country of your destination.

It is best to have your passport or ID card when travelling in the EU because you may be required to prove your identity. If public order or national security so require, checks at the internal borders may be carried out for limited periods.

Make sure that any children travelling with you either have their own passport or ID card or are registered on your passport.

Agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland enable their nationals to be treated in the same way as EU citizens and to travel with just an ID card or passport in the EU.

More information on the free movement of people within the EU.

Visa
You will not need a visa for travelling within the EU.

For non-EU citizens
Passport
You will need a valid passport.

Visa
There are 28 countries whose nationals do not need a visa to visit the EU for three months or less. These include Croatia (but not Turkey, which are both candidates for EU membership) as well as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. The list of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to the United Kingdom or Ireland differs slightly from other EU countries. If in doubt, check with the nearest consulate of any EU country.

If your visa is from a country fully applying the Schengen rules, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well. Moreover, if you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to visit non-Schengen countries.

Border officials in EU countries may ask for other supporting documents such as an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket. For the precise requirements contact the local consular services of the EU country in question.

More information about travel rights for non-EU citizens and visa requirements, including a list of countries whose nationals require a visa for travelling in the EU.

How to get there

By road
Driving licence
A valid driving licence issued in an EU country is valid throughout the EU.

In some countries, in addition to carrying a valid driving licence, you will need to have your vehicle registration document with you.

Remember that in most countries the minimum age for driving a car is 18. Minimum age limits for hiring a car are not fixed at EU level and generally vary between 20 and 23. There may also be maximum age limits and these can vary between 65 and 75.

Motor insurance
Wherever you are travelling in the EU, your car insurance policy will automatically provide the minimum cover (third party liability) required by law. This also applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. If you have comprehensive insurance at home, check that the cover extends to travelling in other countries.

A green card is not obligatory when travelling in the EU but it serves as internationally recognised proof of insurance and it makes it easier to settle claims arising from an accident. If you do not take a green card with you, you should carry your certificate of insurance.

The green card system currently covers 44 countries and is managed by an association of insurers. Their website gives further details about the green card system and its objectives.

Your insurer can give you a European accident statement form, a standard document that makes it easier to make a declaration on the spot if you have an accident in another country.

EU rules make it easier for road accident victims outside their own country to get speedy compensation. This applies not only to accidents that happen in the EU but also to accidents between two EU parties in a country outside the EU belonging to the green card system.

Further information on motor insurance rules in the EU.

Driving safely
In all EU countries seat belts must now be worn in all vehicles, including tourist coaches and minibuses. Children must also have appropriate child restraints in cars and lorries and, where possible, in other vehicles as well.

Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom and remember that in some countries, such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Portugal, you normally have to give way to traffic coming from your right.

Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of an accident and it is either explicitly or implicitly forbidden in all EU countries. In some countries, the use of hands-free devices is tolerated.

Although in the majority of EU countries the maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5mg/ml, in others it varies between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.8 mg/ml and some countries do not allow any alcohol in the blood while driving. The European Commission has recommended that all countries adopt a standard authorised level not exceeding 0.5mg/ml.

Speed limits
The speed limit on motorways is generally 110, 120 or 130 km/h and the limit in built-up areas is 50 or sometimes 60 km/h. Keep an eye on the signs to make sure of the exact limits and any special conditions that apply.

Below is a table giving general maximum speed limits for cars in January 2008. In some countries limits are reduced in bad weather conditions or for newly qualified drivers.

Tolls
There are toll roads in many countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Visitors using Austrian motorways and 'A' roads must possess and display a toll label or vignette on their vehicle. These can be bought at all major border crossings into Austria and at larger petrol stations. The Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have a similar system of a sticker affixed to the windscreen.

By air
Creating a single European market in air transport has meant lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services for passengers. The EU has also created a set of rights to ensure air passengers are treated fairly.

Air passenger rights
As an air passenger you have certain rights when it comes to information about flights and reservations, damage to baggage, delays and cancellations, denied boarding, compensation in the case of accident or difficulties with package holidays. These rights apply to scheduled and chartered flights, both domestic and international, from an EU airport or to an EU airport from one outside the EU, when operated by an EU airline.

The EU also maintains a list of airlines banned from operating in the EU and using EU airports. For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, rules are being introduced by July 2008 to ensure free and effective assistance on aircraft and in EU airports as well as fair and non-discriminatory treatment.

A poster available at all airports summarises air passenger rights. If you have a complaint, contact the airline or organiser of the package holiday. If they fail to fulfil their obligations then you should complain to your national enforcement body .

Security
Avoid the delay and inconvenience of having something confiscated by airport security by checking that you do not have any prohibited articles with you. There is an agreed EU list of items that are not allowed in the cabin on flights from EU airports and a list of articles banned from the baggage hold. Look out for these lists displayed in the check-in area.

Regulations have been introduced concerning the liquids that passengers can carry past airport screening points in their hand baggage. The liquids (including creams, gels, toothpaste, sprays, perfume) must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml. They must be packed into one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity. Exceptions are made for medicines and baby food needed during a trip. Passengers are allowed liquids such as drinks and perfumes bought in the departure area. Limits on the size of cabin baggage may also be introduced.

By rail
The EU has 210 000 km of railways with extensive international passenger services. There are 5 000 km of high-speed lines in several countries with trains reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h and the network is being extended with new links in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Huge financial support is going into trans-European projects such as the rail links from Lyon to Poland's border with the Ukraine, from Berlin to Palermo, from Paris to Bratislava and from Warsaw to Helsinki.

One way to explore Europe by rail is to get an international rail pass and set off to discover the places and countries that attract you. Seven European high-speed rail operators have joined forces under the name Railteam to make travel across the European rail network as seamless as possible.

Metro
If you plan to use the metro, familiarise yourself with maps of European city metros.

Biking and hiking
For biking enthusiasts EuroVelo run by the European Cyclists' Federation is developing 12 long distance cycle routes across Europe and the European Ramblers' Association has information on walking in Europe and on 11 long-distance paths extending across Europe.