How long can New Zealanders stay in Europe without a visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. Bilateral agreements with some countries, such as Switzerland, Germany and Denmark, can allow extra time in that one country under its own conditions.

How does the Switzerland agreement work for New Zealanders?

Switzerland says New Zealanders may stay up to 90 days there regardless of earlier Schengen time, but must then leave the Schengen Area directly from Switzerland. Travelling on to another Schengen country is not allowed.

Do New Zealanders need ETIAS yet?

No. As of 28 September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation. When it starts it will cost €20 and last three years or until your passport expires. The EU will announce the date several months ahead.

Guide

Schengen 90/180 rules for New Zealanders

New Zealand passport holders can visit any of the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. New Zealand also has older bilateral agreements with several individual Schengen countries that can allow extra time in that one country.

Facts checked 28 September 2026. Entry rules change. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section before you travel.

Visa-free, but only for short stays

The New Zealand government says the 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not per country. It covers tourism, business and family visits.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave, and under Schengen rules it must have been issued within the last 10 years.

Sources: MFAT: New Zealanders travelling to Germany; Schengen Borders Code, Article 6

EES: your days are now counted at the border

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at every external Schengen border since 10 April 2026. It applies to New Zealanders on short stays and replaces passport stamps.

On your first entry it records your passport details, a facial image and four fingerprints. After that, every entry and exit is logged with its date and place. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted.

The system counts your days for you. If you stay past 90 days in any 180, you are listed as an overstayer automatically — no stamp needs to be read.

Sources: EU: EES FAQ; EU: data held by the EES; European Commission: EES fully operational (10 April 2026); SafeTravel NZ: EU and UK travel changes

ETIAS: not in operation yet

ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. When it starts, New Zealanders will need one before travelling to Schengen countries and Cyprus. It will cost €20 (no fee under 18 or over 70) and last three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

As of 28 September 2026 it is not running and no applications are being taken. The EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance, followed by a transition period in which travellers without ETIAS are not refused. ETIAS will not change the 90/180 rule.

Sources: EU: what is ETIAS; European Commission: ETIAS will cost EUR 20; EU: ETIAS timeline explained

Bilateral agreements we could confirm

Each country runs its agreement differently, and New Zealand's own travel advice now tells you to ask the embassy of the country concerned. These three are confirmed by that country's own official website:

Switzerland: up to 90 days in Switzerland, irrespective of time already spent in other Schengen countries. You must then leave the Schengen Area directly from a Swiss external border; travelling on to another Schengen country is not permitted. Keep evidence of your time in Switzerland, such as accommodation receipts and transport tickets.
Germany: up to 90 days in Germany, with time in other Schengen countries not counted. It applies to stays in Germany only.
Denmark: up to three months counted from your first entry into Denmark. Only earlier time in Denmark in the previous six months is deducted.

Sources: Swiss Embassy in New Zealand: entry formalities; German Embassy Wellington; Danish Immigration Service: visa-free visits

Agreements you will see elsewhere

Travel blogs list more countries for New Zealanders, including Italy and the Netherlands. We could not confirm those from an official source of the country concerned, so they are not listed here. Do not rely on any bilateral agreement without confirming it with that country's embassy, and remember that working is not allowed under any of them.

Source: SafeTravel NZ: EU and UK travel changes

The 90/180 count itself does not change

Whatever passport you hold, the count works the same way. On every day you are inside Schengen, look back 180 days. The days you were present must not exceed 90. The day you arrive and the day you leave both count. All 29 Schengen countries share one pool of days.

See it worked through with real dates in the Schengen calculator for New Zealanders.

Check your own dates

Add your past stays and see how many of your 90 days you have used, and the last day you can stay if you entered today. Built for New Zealanders and anyone else on a visa-free short stay.

Open the Schengen calculator Plan a trip

Common questions

How long can New Zealanders stay in Europe without a visa?: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. Bilateral agreements with some countries, such as Switzerland, Germany and Denmark, can allow extra time in that one country under its own conditions.
How does the Switzerland agreement work for New Zealanders?: Switzerland says New Zealanders may stay up to 90 days there regardless of earlier Schengen time, but must then leave the Schengen Area directly from Switzerland. Travelling on to another Schengen country is not allowed.
Do New Zealanders need ETIAS yet?: No. As of 28 September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation. When it starts it will cost €20 and last three years or until your passport expires. The EU will announce the date several months ahead.