EU citizens’ right to travel without a visa

Τελευταία ενημέρωση Παρασκευή, 01/08/2025

Being an EU citizen grants you the right to travel freely within the Schengen Area. Guaranteeing this freedom of movement – whether entering, leaving, or travelling within the EU – has always been a cornerstone principle of the European Union. And Europeans travel a lot! According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, 62 % of EU residents made at least one personal tourism trip in 2022. But how is it possible to travel inside the borders of the European Union?

The freedom of movement in the European Union

Let’s start with some good news: EU citizens do not need a visa to travel inside the European Union! Moreover, some of the EU countries’ passports are among the strongest ones in the world: this means that they allow you to travel to many countries outside the EU without the need for a temporary visa.

Why do EU citizens have all these advantages when it comes to travelling? To find a proper answer, we should take a step back to 1948, when the first treaty among the future founders of the European Union was signed. The countries agreed to create an area where EU citizens could travel and move without border checks.

The first concrete attempt to guarantee this right to EU citizens was the Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985 by Belgium, Netherlands, West Germany, France and Luxembourg: these countries created the so-called Schengen area and committed to reducing internal border controls to allow free movement of persons between countries.

Nowadays, the Schengen Area is the world’s largest open travel zone, involving more than 400 million European citizens and consisting of 25 Member States and 4 non-Member States: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

As of 31 March 2024, both Romania and Bulgaria have joined the Schengen Area for air and sea travel, removing border controls at airports and seaports. 

However, land border controls with these countries will remain for the time being, with further negotiations ongoing for full accession.

This allows the efficient coordination of the entry of legal visitors into the EU and transit or intended stays in the territory of a Schengen state of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

 

© Eurodesk Brussels Link, 2023

What do you need to travel inside the European Union?

If you are an EU citizen

As a citizen of the European Union, you have the right to move freely across all EU Member States, not just within the Schengen area. This means you can travel, work, or study in any other EU country using just your ID card or passport — no visas, work permits, or residence permits needed! Plus, your family members can join you on your adventures without any extra hassle. If you want to learn more about this freedom and its origins, check out the Guide to EU Citizenship and the Guide on Free Movement.

In the Schengen area, things get even easier. Anyone, no matter where they're from, can travel without facing border checks. Just remember to carry your ID card or passport, as you might need to show it to authorities or when boarding a plane.

If you are travelling from or to a non-Schengen country it is mandatory to travel with an ID card or a passport as it will be checked by the local authorities. Be aware, that driving licences, post, bank or tax cards are not accepted as valid travel documents or proof of identity.

When travelling to or from a non-Schengen country you must show a valid ID or passport. Before travelling, check what documents you must have to travel outside your home country and to enter the non-Schengen country you plan to visit.

When travelling within the EU it is also important to have your European Health Insurance Card: which is a free card that allows you to receive health assistance under the same conditions as in your home country.

If you aren't an EU resident

The situation for residents who are not EU citizens (often referred to as third-country nationals) can be more complex. Their rights to work, study, or move freely within the EU might depend on their specific residency status and the regulations of the member state they wish to reside in.

Emergencies and registration while travelling abroad

Suppose you are abroad and you lose your travel documents (passport or ID card). In that case, you should denounce the loss to the local authorities and contact your country’s consulate or embassy: they will provide you with an Emergency Travel Document to be used until you come back home.

Besides, EU citizens are entitled to seek help from the embassy or consulate of any other EU Member State if they find themselves in a situation where they need assistance outside the EU, with no embassy or consulate from their own Member State effectively in a position to help them.

Last but not least, if you know that you are going to spend more than 90 days (3 months) in another country it is highly recommended to contact the local municipality and register your temporary residence as a foreigner. Remember to always check the national/local rules before travelling.

Going abroad has never been so easy!

The freedom of movement in the European Union is a fundamental point of the Maastricht Treaty. Thanks to these advantages you are given the opportunity to live a concrete experience abroad, like a cross-border volunteering programme of the European Solidarity Corps or a Youth Exchange activity.

What are you waiting for? Going abroad has never been so easy!

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link