Short-term Stays in the EU

A short-term stay is a stay of a maximum duration of 90 days within any 180-day period. In the case of third countries citizens who want to enter and stay in the EU Member States for a short term, it is distinguished if:

• a visa requirement was waived for them or
• they are required to have a visa.

If you are a national of a country for the citizens of which a visa requirement was waived, you can stay without a visa. This way you can stay and move freely in the countries that apply a common visa policy. These countries include all the Schengen countries. On the other hand, Cyprus and Ireland do not apply a common visa policy.

If you are a national of a country whose citizens are required to have a visa, you are subject to the rules on entry, movement and short-term visas laid down in the Schengen Borders and Visa Codes. For travels to Cyprus it is necessary to contact the corresponding authorities of this country.

If as a third country national you do not meet the Schengen entry requirements laid down in the EU and national legislations, you may be denied entry.