World travel guide Europe: RED TAPE AND VISAS

.	Europe
.	Climate And When To Go
.	Travelling In Europe
.	Red Tape And Visas
.	Health
.	Costs, Money And Banks
.	Communications
.	Festivals And Annual Events
.	Gay Travellers
.	Explore Europe

EUROPE - RED TAPE AND VISAS

Since the lifting of many immigration restrictions for European Union members in January 1993, border-crossing for most EU nationals has become a much less formal procedure, with holders of most passports just having to wave their documents at border officials. Border controls between some countries, Scandinavian states in particular, are virtually nonexistent, and ten EU states (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), known as the Schengen Group, now have joint visas valid for travel in all of them, and in theory no border immigration controls between them - though this may mean more ID checks within those countries. There is talk of other EU states joining the group, though two have left and others seem to be holding back.

Citizens of the UK (but not other British passport holders), Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA do not need a visa to enter most European countries (exceptions are listed in the next paragraph), and can usually stay for one to three months, depending on your nationality; for some countries, your passport must be valid at least six months beyond the end of your stay. Always check on visa requirements before travelling, as they can and do change, though EU countries should never require visas from British or Irish citizens.

Everyone needs a visa to visit Russia. UK and Irish citizens need them for Turkey (available at the border). Americans need visas for Turkey (available at the border); Canadians also need them for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Turkey (last two available at the border). Australians require visas to visit the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Turkey (last two available at the border); New Zealanders need them for Latvia, Poland, Romania and Turkey (Romanian visas available at the border). Note that the three Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) all allow entry to Canadians and certain other nationalities who have a visa for any one of them. Note also that you will need transit visas to cross the Ukraine and Belarus (if travelling for example from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary or Romania to Moscow).

When crossing a border , it pays to look reasonably well turned-out, and to be polite at all times, even in the face of the most overweening officialdom. On entering some countries you may be asked to show an onward ticket or sufficient funds to support yourself. Remember that governments are eager for rich tourists with lots of money to spend, but accept poor, scruffy backpackers under sufferance. Non-Whites may also get the feeling that they are only accepted under sufferance by border officials in some countries, and will often be subjected to much greater scrutiny than their white fellow travellers.

Finally, don't leave it too late to get a passport before leaving home, since by post this can take four weeks or longer in the summer and is rather irksome to do in person.

Passport offices

USA Passport Office, 1111 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 (tel 1-900/225 5674 or 202/647 0518); others in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Stamford. Free information and application forms available online at travel.state.gov/passport_services.html.

Canada Passport Office, Suite 209, West Tower, Guy Farreau Complex, 200 René Lévesque Blvd West, Montreal, PQ H2Z 1X4 (tel 1-800/567-6868); others in major cities.

UK Passport Office, 70-78 Petty France, London SW1H 9HD (tel 0870/521 0410); others in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newport and Peterborough. Applications can be made at any post office. Information on line at www.ukpa.gov.uk .

Ireland Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth St, Dublin 2 (tel 1890/426888) and 1a South Mall, Cork (tel 1890/426900).

Australia There are offices in Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Darwin; for information, call 13/1232.

New Zealand Passport Office, Dept of Internal Affairs, PO Box 10 526, Wellington (tel 0800/225050 or 0800-PASSPORT).

Customs

Customs and duty-free restrictions vary throughout Europe, but are standard for travellers arriving in the EU at one litre of spirits, plus two litres of table wine, plus 200 cigarettes (or 250g tobacco, or fifty cigars). Since the inauguration of the Single Market, there is no longer any duty-free allowance for travel within the EU, but travellers between EU countries can effectively carry as much in the way of duty-paid goods as they want (so long as they are for personal use). Remember that carrying contraband such as controlled drugs, firearms or pornography is illegal, not to mention foolhardy in the extreme. If you are carrying prescribed drugs of any kind, it might be a good idea to have a copy of the prescription to flash at suspicious customs officers. If in doubt consult the relevant embassy.

European embassies

AUSTRIA USA 3524 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008-3022 (tel 202/895 6700); Canada 445 Wilbrod St, Ottowa, ON K1N 6M7 (tel 613/789 1444); UK 18 Belgrave Mews West, London SW1X 8HU (tel 020/7235 3731); Ireland 15 Ailesbury Ct, 93 Ailesbury Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 4577); Australia PO Box 375, Manuka, Canberra, ACT 2603 (tel 06/6295 1533); New Zealand 58 Willis St, Wellington (tel 04/499 6393).

BELGIUM USA 3330 Garfield St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/333 6900); Canada 80 Elgin St, 4th floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 1B7 (tel 613/236 7267); UK 103-105 Eaton Sq, London SW1W 9AB (tel 020/7470 3700); Ireland 2 Shrewsbury Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 2082); Australia 19 Arkana St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 2501); New Zealand 12th floor, Axon House, 1-3 Willeston St, PO Box 3379, Wellington (tel 04/472 9558).

BRITAIN USA 3100 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/588 6500); Canada 80 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5K7 (tel 613/237 1530); Ireland 29 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/205 3700); Australia Commonwealth Ave, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6270 6666); New Zealand 44 Hill St, PO Box 1812, Wellington (tel 04/472 6049).

BULGARIA USA 1621 22nd St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/387 7969); Canada 325 Stewart St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6K5 (tel 613/789 3215); UK 186-188 Queens Gate, London SW7 5HL (tel 020/7584 9400); Ireland 22 Burlington Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/660 3293); Australia 4 Carlotta St, Double Bay, NSW 2028 (tel 02/9327 7581).

CROATIA USA 2343 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/588 5899); Canada 229 Chapel St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7Y6 (tel 613/562 7820); UK 21 Conway St, London W1P 5HL (tel 020/7387 2022); Australia 14 Jindalee Cres, O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (tel 06/6286 6988); New Zealand 131 Lincoln Rd, Henderson, Auckland (tel 09/836 5581).

CZECH REPUBLIC USA 3900 Spring of Freedom St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/274 9100); Canada 541 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6 (tel 613/562 3875); UK 26 Kensington Palace Gdns, London W8 4QY (tel 020/7243 1115); Ireland 57 Northumberland Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/668 1135); Australia 38 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (tel 06/6290 1386).

DENMARK USA 3200 Whitehaven St, NW, Washington, DC 20008-3683 (tel 202/234 4300); Canada 47 Clarence St, Suite 450, Ottawa, ON K1N 9K1 (tel 613/562 1811); UK 55 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SR (tel 020/7333 0200); Ireland 121-122 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 (tel 01/475 6404); Australia 15 Hunter St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 2195); New Zealand Level 1, 45 Johnston St, PO Box 10874, Wellington (tel 04/471 0520).

ESTONIA USA 2131 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/588 0101); Canada 958 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2R6 (tel 416/461 0764); UK 16 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DG (tel 020/7589 3428); Ireland 24 Merlyn Park, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 1552); Australia 86 Louisa Rd, Birchgrove, Sydney, NSW 2041 (tel 02/9810 7468).

FINLAND USA 3301 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/298 5800); Canada 55 Metcalfe St, Suite 850, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5 (tel 613/236 2389); UK 38 Chesham Pl, London SW1W 8HW (tel 020/7838 6200); Ireland Russell House, Stokes Pl, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 (tel 01/478 1344); Australia 10 Darwin Ave, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3800); New Zealand 44-52 The Terrace, 6th floor, PO Box 2402, Wellington (tel 04/499 4599).

FRANCE USA 4101 Reservoir Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel 202/944 6000); Canada 42 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1M 2C9 (tel 613/789 1795); UK 58 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JT (tel 020/7201 1000); Ireland 36 Ailesbury Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/260 1666); Australia 6 Perth Ave, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6216 0100); New Zealand Rural Bank House, 34-42 Manners St, 12th floor, PO Box 11-343, Wellington (tel 04/384 2555).

GERMANY USA 4645 Reservoir Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20007-1998 (tel 202/298 4000); Canada 1 Waverley St, 14th floor, Ottawa, ON K2P 0T8 (tel 613/232 1101); UK 23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ (tel 020/7824 1300); Ireland 31 Trimleston Ave, Booterstown, Blackrock, Co Dublin (tel 01/269 3011); Australia 119 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6270 1911); New Zealand 90-92 Hobson St, PO Box 1687, Thorndon, Wellington (tel 04/473 6063).

GREECE USA 2221 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/939 5800); Canada 76-80 MacLaren St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0K6 (tel 613/238 6271); UK 1a Holland Park, London W11 3TP (tel 020/7229 3850); Ireland 1 Upper Pembroke St, Dublin 2 (tel 01/676 7254); Australia 9 Turrana St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3011); New Zealand 10th floor, 5-7 Willeston St, PO Box 24-066, Wellington (tel 04/473 7775).

HUNGARY USA 3910 Shoemaker St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/362 6730); Canada 299 Waverley St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0V9 (tel 613/230 2717); UK 35 Eaton Pl, London SW1X 8BY (tel 020/7235 5218); Ireland 2 Fitzwilliam Pl, Dublin 2 (tel 01/661 2902); Australia 17 Beale Cres, Deakin, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6282 3226); New Zealand 7/1a Picton St, Ponsonby, Auckland (tel 09/376 3609).

IRELAND USA 2234 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/462 3939); Canada 130 Albert St, Suite 1105, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G4 (tel 613/233 6281); UK 17 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HR (tel 020/7235 2171); Australia 20 Arkana St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3022).

ITALY USA 1601 Fuller St, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel 202/328 5500); Canada 275 Slater St, 21st floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H9 (tel 613/232 2401); UK 14 Three Kings Yard, Davies St, London W1Y 2EH (tel 020/7312 2200); Ireland 63-65 Northumberland Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/660 1744); Australia 12 Grey St, Deakin, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3333); New Zealand 34-38 Grant Rd, Thorndon, PO Box 463, Wellington (tel 04/473 5339).

LATVIA USA 4325 17th St, NW, Washington, DC 20011 (tel 202/726 8213); Canada Place de Ville, Tower B, 112 Kent St, Suite 208, Ottawa, ON K1P 5P2 (tel 613/238 6014); UK 45 Nottingham Pl, London W1M 3FE (tel 020/7312 0040); Australia 32 Parnell St, Strathfield, Sydney (tel 02/9745 5981).

LITHUANIA USA 2622 16th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel 202/234 5860); Canada 130 Albert St, Suite 204, Ottawa, ON K1P 5G4 (tel 613/567 5458); UK 84 Gloucester Pl, London W1H 3HN (tel 020/7486 6401).

LUXEMBOURG USA 2200 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/265 4171); UK 27 Wilton Crescent, London SW1X 8SD (tel 020/7235 6961).

MOROCCO USA 1601 21st St, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel 202/462 7979); Canada 38 Range Rd, Ottawa, ON K1N 8J4 (tel 613/236 7391); UK 49 Queen's Gate Gdns, London SW7 5NE (tel 020/7581 5001); Ireland 53 Raglan Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/660 9449).

NETHERLANDS USA 4200 Linnean Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/244 5300); Canada 350 Albert St, Suite 2020, Ottawa, ON K1R 1A4 (tel 613/237 5030); UK 38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP (tel 020/7580 3200); Ireland 160 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 3444); Australia 120 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3111); New Zealand Investment Centre, 10th Floor, Ballance St/Featherstone St, PO Box 840, Wellington (tel 04/471 6390).

NORWAY USA 2720 34th St, NW, Washington, DC 20008-2714 (tel 202/333 6000); Canada 90 Sparks St, Suite 532, Ottawa, ON K1P 5B4 (tel 613/238 6571); UK 25 Belgrave Sq, London SW1X 8QD (tel 020/7591 5500); Ireland 34 Molesworth St, Dublin 2 (tel 01/662 1800); Australia 17 Hunter St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3444); New Zealand 61 Molesworth St, Wellington (tel 04/471 2503).

POLAND USA 2640 16th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel 202/234 3800); Canada 443 Daly Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 6H3 (tel 613/789 0468); UK 47 Portland Pl, London W1N 4JH (tel 020/7580 4324); Ireland 5 Ailesbury Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/283 0855); Australia 7 Turrana St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 1208); New Zealand 17 Upland Rd, PO Box 10211, Kelburn, Wellington (tel 04/475 9453).

PORTUGAL USA 2125 Kalorama Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/328 8610); Canada 645 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, ON K1Y 0B8 (tel 613/729 0883); UK 11 Belgrave Sq, London SW1X 8PP (tel 020/7235 5331); Ireland Knocksinna House, Foxrock, Dublin 18 (tel 01/289 4416); Australia 23 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (tel 06/6290 1733).

ROMANIA USA 1607 23rd St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/232 3694); Canada 655 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6A3 (tel 613/789 3709); UK Arundel House, 4 Palace Green, London W8 4QD (tel 020/7937 9666); Ireland 47 Ailesbury Rd, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 2852); Australia 4 Dalman Cres, O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (tel 06/6286 2343).

RUSSIA USA 2650 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel 202/298 5700), visa section 1825 Phelps Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/939 8907); Canada 285 Charlotte St, Ottawa ON K1N 8L5 (tel 613/235 4341; visa enquiries tel 613/236 7220); UK 13 Kensington Palace Gdns, London W8 4QX (tel 020/7229 3628); Ireland 186 Orwell Rd, Rathgar, Dublin 14 (tel 01/492 2048); Australia 78 Canberra Ave, Griffith, Canberra, ACT 2603 (tel 06/6295 9033); New Zealand 57 Messines Rd, Karori, Wellington (tel 04/476 6113).

SLOVAKIA USA 2201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 250, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel 202/965 5160); Canada 50 Rideau Terr, Ottawa, ON K1M 2A1 (tel 613/749 4442); UK 25 Kensington Palace Gdns, London W8 4QY (tel 020/7243 0803); Ireland 20 Clyde Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/660 0012); Australia 47 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 (tel 06/6290 1516).

SLOVENIA USA 1525 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1203 (tel 202/667 5363); Canada 150 Metcalfe St, Suite 2101, Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 (tel 613/565 5781); UK Suite 1, Cavendish Ct, 11-15 Wigmore St, London W1H 9LA (tel 020/7495 7775); Australia PO Box 284, Civic Sq, Canberra, ACT 2608 (tel 06/6243 4830).

SPAIN USA 2375 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (tel 202/452 0100); Canada 74 Stanley Ave, Ottawa, ON K1M 1P4 (tel 613/747 2252); UK 39 Chesham Pl, London SW1X 8SB (tel 020/7235 5555), visa section 20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2SB (tel 0891/600123 premium-rate charge); Ireland 17a Merlyn Park, Dublin 4 (tel 01/269 1640); Australia PO Box 976, Deakin, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6273 3555).

SWEDEN USA 1501 M St, NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 (tel 202/467 2600); Canada Mercury Ct, 377 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N8 (tel 613/241 8553); UK 11 Montagu Place, London W1H 2AL (tel 020/7917 6400); Ireland Sun Alliance House, 13-17 Dawson St, Dublin 2 (tel 01/671 5822); Australia 5 Turrana St, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600 (tel 06/6270 2700); New Zealand 13th floor, Vogel Bldg, Aitken St, Thorndon, PO Box 12538, Wellington (tel 04/499 9895).

SWITZERLAND USA 2900 Cathedral Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008-3499 (tel 202/745 7900); Canada 5 Marlborough Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 8E6 (tel 613/235 1837); UK 16-18 Montagu Place, London W1H 2BQ (tel 020/7616 6000); Ireland 6 Ailesbury Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/218 6382); Australia 7 Melbourne Ave, Forrest, Canberra, ACT 2603 (tel 06/6273 3977); New Zealand Panama House, 22 Panama St, Wellington (tel 04/472 1593).

TURKEY USA 2525 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel 202/612 6700); Canada 197 Wurtemburg St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8L9 (tel 613/789 4044); UK 43 Belgrave Sq, London SW1X 8PA (tel 020/7393 0202); Ireland 11 Clyde Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel 01/668 5240); Australia 60 Mugga Way, Red Hill, Canberra, ACT 2603 (tel 06/6295 0227); New Zealand 15-17 Murphy St, Level 8, PO Box 12-248, Wellington (tel 04/472 1292).