Travel tips - travel to Europe

Europe is a major destination for New Zealanders, especially during the northern hemisphere summer.  Every year tens of thousands of New Zealanders travel to Europe and while most will encounter few if any problems, some will become the victim of a crime.

The onset of the northern hemisphere summer tourist season brings about an increase in the number of New Zealanders who will become the victims of crime. Most of these crimes involve theft of funds, passports and other personal possessions, but muggings and other attacks can also occur.  

• New Zealanders travelling to Europe need to be aware of the increase in crime in many parts of Europe especially during the northern hemisphere summer
• tourists are often seen as easy targets and can be most vulnerable in or around major tourist centres and sites 
• criminals frequent tourist areas and major attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beach resorts, trains, train stations, airports, subways and ATM machines
• crimes can occur at any time of the day or night. Thieves are highly skilled operators and New Zealanders need to be alert to contrived distractions that are set-ups for theft
• New Zealand travellers should exercise caution, carry limited cash and credit cards, and leave extra cash, credit cards, passports and personal documents in a safe location (e.g., hotel safety deposit box)
• New Zealand travellers should pay close attention to the safety advice and warnings given by organised tour operators
• travellers should also ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance.

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Border controls in Europe

New Zealanders should be aware that border controls have been eliminated between European countries that are full members of what is called the “Schengen area”. These countries are:

Austria	Belgium	Czech Republic
Denmark	Estonia	Finland
France	Germany	Greece
Hungary	Iceland	Italy
Latvia	Lithuania	Luxembourg
Malta	The Netherlands	Norway
Poland	Portugal	Slovakia
Slovenia	Spain	Sweden

Visa-free access for New Zealand visitors to Schengen area countries

New Zealand passport holders are able to spend up to three months in each of the Schengen area countries listed above. This is because New Zealand has bilateral visa waiver agreements with them, which allow New Zealanders to spend up to three months in each country separately as opposed to a total of three months in the Schengen area as a whole (which citizens of some other countries are entitled to). The European Commission has confirmed that these agreements continue to be valid.

In light of the recent changes to border controls in Europe, New Zealand travellers should contact the embassy or consulate of the Schengen countries they plan to visit to get the latest update on visa requirements if they plan to stay in the whole Schengen area for more than three months.

Travellers are also advised to ensure their passports are stamped on entry and exit at the external borders of the Schengen area. Officers at ports of entry may waive 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.

The ten members of the European Union  that joined the EU on 1 May 2004  ( Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) are also members of the Schengen area but have not eliminated border controls between themselves.

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Visa-free access for New Zealand visitors to other European countries

New Zealanders can also visit the following (non-Schengen area) countries for up to three months without needing a visa:

Bosnia & Herzegovina	Bulgaria	Croatia
Cyprus	Hungary	Ireland
Monaco	Montenegro	Romania
San Marino	Serbia	Switzerland
Vatican

New Zealand passport holders can also enter the United Kingdom for up to six months without needing a visa.

 

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See our regional advice for Europe

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Page last updated: Tuesday, 23 September 2008, 15:45 NZST