The rules for visa-free travel are different in each country. But there are a few standard clauses that apply almost everywhere. Here they are:
- The passport must be valid for another 3-6 months from the date of entry;
- Foreign border guards can check documents that confirm the purpose of the trip, return tickets, and money availability;
- If you enter the country without a visa, you cannot work there;
- Visa-free entry into the Schengen area is possible only with a biometric passport;
- You need to know the rules for entering the country due to a pandemic. They are constantly changing, and there are some exceptions.
You can stay in the Schengen area and the EU for up to 90 days within 180 days with a biometric passport. But there are exceptions:
- Visa-free for Ukraine allows you to enter four EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, and Croatia. But the standard rule of 90/180 days does not work here — the days are counted for each of these countries separately. That is, you can stay 90 days in Croatia, then the same amount in Romania, from there go for 90 days to Poland, and you will not violate the period of your stay in the EU;
- But if you are visiting Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway, these days are considered. The fact is that these countries do not belong to the European Union but are included in the Schengen area.
Here are the documents you need most often to enter the visa-free countries for Ukraine:
- A valid biometric passport for entering the Schengen countries, the EU and the UAE, a regular passport for other countries;
- A document that confirms the purpose of the trip. For example, hotel reservations, concert tickets, invitations, etc;
- Bank statement, bank card, or cash — any proof that you have money for all days of your stay. Each country has its requirements, but it is 50 euros per day on average;
- Insurance policy. In many countries, it is optional but recommended;
- A return ticket, a ticket to another country, or a sufficient amount to buy a ticket later;
- If you are going to travel to Europe by car, you need a civil insurance policy.
