Citizens of countries belonging to the European Union can travel from one country to another without the need to present passports or border checks thanks to the Schengen Agreement. Neat! Especially when it comes to holiday travels. However, not all EU member states are part of the Schengen Area, and also the area includes some non-EU countries.
If you are living in Europe, the knowledge about the legal situation is very convenient when planning foreign holidays. Therefore, let’s find out about the peculiarities!
Where to go on holiday without a passport?
However, it is worth knowing that you can also fly outside Europe with an identity card, due to the fact that some European countries have overseas territories.
Therefore, if your passport expires, you do not have to give up holidays abroad immediately.
When choosing holidays without a passport, you have more than forty places in the world to choose which you can only get by showing an ID card. In addition to European territories, also in Asia, South and North America, Africa as well as Australia and Oceania.
Of course, it all depends on you being a resident of one of European Union or Schengen Area countries.
List of countries where you will spend the holiday without a passport
A list of these places can also be useful at the time of last minute holidays, when there is no time to obtain passports, and it should be added that this procedure can take up weeks, especially in the period before summer and winter holidays.
Current Schengen Area member states are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands which still have open borders), Estonia, Finland, France (overseas territories are excluded, but still require only ID for entry), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands (excluding overseas territories), Norway (excluding Svalbard), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Additionally, some other countries do not require a passport for entry if hold an EU/Schengen ID card:
Tiny city-states like Andora, Monako, San Marino and Vatican are de facto part of the Schengen Area because they are an enclave or semi-enclave within an EU member state.
Albania – an ID card is required to enter this Balkan country for up to 90 days. However, it must be valid for at least 3 months from your departure. It is worth using it, for example if you are on vacation in Corfu. From the capital of this green island there are direct ferry connections, e.g. to Saranda.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – you can enter and stay in this country for up to 90 days, only with an ID card (valid for 3 months from the date of leaving this country). However, in this regard, there may be cases that you will not be able to take advantage of free medical care or some services at the bank. In addition, there is an official requirement to have 75 euros per day, so it’s worth having a payment card with you.
Bulgaria and Croatia are other countries belonging to the European Union, therefore a passport is not needed here.
Cyprus – this country is divided into two parts: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The first is within the borders of the Union, the second is mostly not recognized by other countries (except of course Turkey). However, you can enter it with an ID card. You have to remember that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a self-proclaimed country and is governed by its own laws, so it may happen that without a passport they will not want to let you in.
Georgia – a country with very tourist-friendly entry regulations, as Turkish, Ukrainian or EU citizens can enter the country presenting their ID cards, but if you want to settle any official or service matters, then you will need a passport.
Macedonia – in this country you will cross the border on the basis of an identity card, but without a passport you cannot rent a hotel room or a car. In addition, if you travel to Macedonia with an ID card, you must demand a proper print with a stamp on the border may be needed when returning to the country.
Moldova – from 2015 you can travel to this country only on the basis of an ID card. However, this does not include entry into the so-called Transnistria Republic and transit through this area to Ukraine. Sometimes it may also happen that the border services may require you to show a return ticket at the entrance.
Montenegro – is a country outside the European Union, but ID is enough for you to enter. With the exception that only up to 30 days, if you plan a longer stay (up to 90 days) we have to have a passport. Minors are recommended to hold passports, and in the case of traveling without legal guardians also their written consent (confirmed by a notary and translated by a sworn translator).
Romania is a member state of the European Union, thanks to which you will enter there on the basis of an identity card.
Serbia – is a country that you can visit with a valid ID (for at least 3 months). However, if it is stolen, it will be invalid from the time of this notification. Even when somehow you find it, then you have to apply for a new identity document to go back to your country.
UK is a difficult case. Before Brexit, all you needed was an ID card. What will happen after Brexit is unclear. Certainly, you will need a passport, but will you need a visa? Who knows. For entering UK’s overseas territories, you need a passport that will be valid for at least six months after entry.
As for overseas territories in general, you can enter them with an ID card when coming directly from an EU/Schengen member state. However, if you are coming by the way of a non EU/Schengen country, you will have to present a passport.
Let us know in the comments about your adventures with trips to other countries and what documents you should have with you. Theory is theory but in practice it often looks very different.
Holidays without a passport are much easier because they do not require unnecessary bureaucracy and subsequent documents to watch and remember. Therefore, if someone asks you “where to go on vacation without a passport” then you can send it to our article.
In addition, bear in mind that last minute without a passport is gaining more and more popularity, as it doesn’t require waiting for documents such as a passport or ID card.