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A Guide to the European Union
Frequently Asked Questions
SHORT STAYS IN THE SCHENGEN AREA (less than 3 months):
Generally, foreign citizens must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa, which enables them to travel freely throughout the Schengen Area for a maximum period of 3 months in a 6 months period (with multiple entries and exits). However, New Zealand is one of a list of third-countries (outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Schengen Zone) who do NOT require a visa to visit the Schengen States, for less than 90 days within a six month period.
In principle, third country nationals benefit, as long as they do not intend to work, hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after date of return, and have a return ticket. This period begins when entering the territory of any of the Schengen States. 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.
Therefore, New Zealand passport holders can freely travel in this period to countries in the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany , Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden.
On top of this arrangement, New Zealand has concluded bilateral visa waiver agreements with many of the individual countries in the Schengen area before the entry into force of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement (or the date of its later accession to the Schengen Agreement).
These visa waiver agreements allow a Schengen Member State the possibility to extend a visa-free stay beyond 3 months in its territory for nationals of the third country concerned in accordance with such an existing bilateral agreement.
Thus, for example, New Zealand nationals can stay in such Member States for the period provided by the bilateral visa waiver agreement in force between the two countries (generally three months), on top of the general three month-stay in the Schengen area.
The countries with which New Zealand has bilateral visa waiver agreements are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
These agreements override the Schengen area restriction (which would otherwise be imposed on New Zealand passport holders) of no more than 3 months out of a 6-month period in the Schengen area.
NZ nationals can, therefore, move visa-free among the above countries for periods of up to 3 months in each country. For more information about bilateral visa waiver agreements, please see: www.safetravel.govt.nz
If, however, you move to other countries in the Schengen area apart from that list, the restriction of no more than 3 months out of a 6-month period in the Schengen area as a whole applies. If you have already spent 3 months in one or more of the above countries, your presence in a Schengen area country with which New Zealand does not have a bilateral visa waiver agreement could mean that you may be challenged by local police or other authorities. It is possible that you might be accused of being an overstayer when you leave the Schengen area, or when you enter another country outside the Schengen area.
NZ nationals are also advised to ensure that their passport are stamped on entry and exit at the external borders of the Schengen area. Officers at ports of entry may wave travellers through without stamping passports, but it is important to have evidence of the date of first entry into the Schengen area for any subsequent dealings with local police or other authorities. It is also advisable to retain some informal evidence of time spent in particular Schengen countries (e.g. , accommodation receipts, ATM slips).
It is highly recommended that you consult the Schengen country consular office of your main destination, in order to confirm this information and/or make your visa application. The Schengen countries with consular offices in New Zealand are:
France : http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/spip.php?rubrique127, 34-42 Manners Street , 12th floor of Sovereign House, Wellington, open Monday-Friday 9.15am-1.15pm
Germany : http://www.wellington.diplo.de/Vertretung/wellington/en/Startseite.html, 90-92 Hobson St, Thorndon, 6011 Wellington, open Monday-Friday 8am-11.30am
Greece: http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/AuthoritiesAbroad/Oceania/NewZeland/EmbassyWellington/en-US , Petherick Towers, Level 11, 38-42 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington, open Monday-Friday 11.00am - 1.00pm
Italy : http://www.ambwellington.esteri.it/ambasciata_wellington, 34-38 Grant Road, Thorndon, Wellington , open Monday-Friday 9am-1pm and Wednesday 3-4.45pm
Netherlands : http://www.netherlandsembassy.co.nz/, PSIS House - 10th Floor, Corner Featherston and Ballance Streets, CBD, Wellington, open Monday-Thursday 10am-12.30pm
Poland: http://www.wellington.polemb.net/index.php?document=56, City Chamber, level 9, 142 Featherston St, CBD, Wellington, open Tuesday-Friday 10am-2pm
Spain: emb.wellington@maec.es, Level 11, BNZ Trust House Bldg, 50 Manners Street, Wellington, open Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm
Switzerland : www.eda.admin.ch/wellington, Level 12, Maritime Tower, 10 Customhouse Quay, CBD, Wellington , open Monday-Friday 8.30am-12pm
For general information on travelling in the European Union, please see http://europa.eu/travel/index_en.htm 
Working Holiday visas for Young New Zealanders
For more information please consult the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/foreign/eco/wrkholiday.html
EU-wide list of prohibited articles on passenger aircraft
From January 2004, the European Union has introduced a list of prohibited articles which applies across all EU countries. For more information on these articles, please see list of prohibited articles.
Medical Insurance
One of the most common questions we are asked is whether a New Zealand Resident who holds a passport from one of the EU Member States is covered by that Member State's National Health policy while they are travelling in Europe. The answer is NO! Only residents of the EU Member States are covered by the Member State's National Health Policy. In many cases, Medicare has a reciprocal arrangement with the Member State National Health Institution which enables Australians to have reciprocal health cover while they are there. In all cases, we would strongly advise travellers to take out Private Medical Health Insurance.
ALL INFORMATION ON VISAS CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LINK
Please also see (Frequently Asked Questions - Europa website)
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