Do you need a transit visa for Schengen Area?
Most can transit airside visa-free, but nationals of a specific list need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV). Leaving the airport needs a Schengen visa unless exempt.
Staying airside (not leaving the airport)
Usually visa-free, with an exception: nationals of a specific list of countries require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to pass through the international zone of a Schengen airport, even without entering the Schengen Area.
Leaving the airport during your layover
To leave the airport during a layover you must formally enter the Schengen Area, which requires a Schengen visa (or visa-free entry / ETIAS once live) according to your nationality.
Key transit schemes & facts
- Airport Transit Visa (ATV / type A): required for a fixed list of nationalities; individual Schengen states may add more countries to their own list.
- Holders of valid visas/residence permits from certain countries (e.g. US, Canada, Ireland, Japan) are often exempt from the ATV — confirm on the official source.
- Connecting between two non-Schengen flights at the same airport without leaving the international zone is what the ATV covers.
- ETIAS (the EU travel authorization) is separate from transit rules — check both.
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a transit visa to connect through Schengen Area?
Most can transit airside visa-free, but nationals of a specific list need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV). Leaving the airport needs a Schengen visa unless exempt.
Can you transit airside through Schengen Area without a visa?
Usually visa-free, with an exception: nationals of a specific list of countries require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to pass through the international zone of a Schengen airport, even without entering the Schengen Area.
What if you want to leave the airport during a layover in Schengen Area?
To leave the airport during a layover you must formally enter the Schengen Area, which requires a Schengen visa (or visa-free entry / ETIAS once live) according to your nationality.
Check the visa you'll need at your destination
Beyond transit, you'll need to know the visa rules for where you're actually going.
Open the visa checker →