Visa and regulations

Check whether you need a visa

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the countries you’re visiting. Check the official requirements for every country on your route well before you travel.

If you’re travelling from outside the EU, you may need a Schengen visa for some countries. A Schengen visa generally covers travel throughout the Schengen area, but not every European country is part of Schengen.

Check how long you can stay

The amount of time you can spend in Europe depends on your nationality and immigration status.

For many travellers from outside the EU, short stays in the Schengen area are limited to 90 days within any 180-day period. Different rules may apply if you have a long-stay visa, a residence permit, or another right to stay.

Bring the right travel document

Keep a valid travel document with you when travelling between countries. Depending on your citizenship, this may be a passport or a national identity card.

Even where there are normally no internal Schengen border checks, temporary border checks can be introduced. Train operators and other transport companies may also ask you to show identification. 

Check that your documents are valid for your whole trip

Check the validity requirements for your passport or identity document before you leave.

For many travellers entering the EU from outside it, passports must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure and must have been issued within the previous 10 years. Requirements can vary, so always check the official information for the countries you’re visiting.

Good to know: Entry and visa rules can change. Interrail doesn’t set these requirements, so always check the latest information from the relevant government, embassy or official EU website before you travel.