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A Guide to the European Union
Update 21 December 2007 : Schengen zone enlarged by nine new countries
On 21 December, nine European Union member states - the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia - joined the passport-free Schengen Area.
President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, attended the border opening ceremony in the German-Polish-Czech border town of Zittau, Saxony, eastern Germany.
The practicalities of free movement of citizens within an area without internal border controls were first set out by the Schengen Agreement in 1985 and the subsequent Schengen Convention in 1995 that abolished controls on internal borders between the signatory countries.
The Amsterdam Treaty on the European Union, which came into force on the 1 May 1999, incorporated the set of measures adopted under the Schengen umbrella into the EU's legal and institutional framework.
The Schengen principles of free circulation of people are backed by improved and still developing security measures to ensure that the EU's internal security is not threatened.
More detail at:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
VISA/PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
Common information for Schengen Visa Applicants
If you intend to transit through or visit several Schengen states (Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway) for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes you have to obtain your Schengen visa from the Consulate of the country of your main destination. If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the country you first enter is responsible for granting your visa.
Please note that New Zealand citizens holding an ordinary passport do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days for all Schengen states for tourist or business purposes.
Schengen visas for stays over 90 days are not available.
After obtaining a visa please check the visa details in your passport to ascertain for which country or countries you visa is valid (i.e. all Schengen states, only some Schengen states or only one country).
We would like to point out that the border authorities are entitled to examine whether, at the time of entry, the prerequisites for entry continue to apply. This is international practice. If the prerequisites for entry or transit no longer apply, or if you are unable to provide the relevant evidence, you may be refused entry by the border authorities although you posses a valid visa. We therefore recommend that you carry with you the original letter / sponsorship declaration / copies of documents (e.g. proof of finance) which you enclosed with your visa application. This will help make the border control procedure easier and avoid delays at the border.
SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS
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2 application forms (completely filled in) with photograph.
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valid passport (validity must extend until at least 3 months after the end of the planned journey).
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copy of itinerary with confirmed reservation, airline ticket to be presented prior to issuance of visa.
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proof of sufficient means of support e.g. bank statements, proof of income or an invitation letter and sponsorship declaration from your relatives / friends in a Schengen country.
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letter from your company giving details about your business trip.
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proof of health insurance cover for your stay in the Schengen area to be presented prior to issuance of visa.
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visa fees (please contact the Embassy or Consulate where the application is to be lodged).
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Minors traveling by themselves or with only one custodian need to contact the respective Embassy or Consulate for further requirements.
Please note that there is no guarantee that a visa will be issued and that additional information and/or documents may be required.
[this information courtesy of the Embassy of Germany, Canberra]
For more information from individual Member States : Member State contact details
Please also see (Frequently Asked Questions - Europa website)
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