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🇪🇺Schengen Area & EU: visa requirements for Vanuatu passport holders

Visa RequiredVisa required
Vanuatu passport holders can no longer travel visa-free to the Schengen Area or the wider EU. The European Union fully suspended its visa-waiver agreement with Vanuatu over concerns about its citizenship-by-investment programme: visa-free travel ended on 4 February 2023, and on 12 December 2024 the EU Council formally moved Vanuatu to the visa-required list. This covers all 29 Schengen states — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the rest.
Entry requirementSchengen short-stay (type C) visa, applied for in advance
Maximum stayUp to 90 days in any 180-day period (once a visa is granted)
Where to applyThe consulate of your main destination country, via VFS Global or the embassy directly
Passport validityValid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure

Official source: EU Council › · Last verified 25 June 2026.

Because the suspension applies to all Vanuatu ordinary passports, there is no grandfathering by issue date for short stays — every traveller now needs a Schengen visa. Applications involve biometrics, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and funds, and the usual background checks.

This is the single biggest change to the Vanuatu passport in recent years, and it is why any honest cost or mobility comparison in 2026 must mention it. A Vanuatu passport is still valuable for speed, tax and Asian/Pacific mobility — but Europe is no longer part of the visa-free package.

Practically, plan your application four to six weeks ahead of travel: Schengen consulates are busy and a Vanuatu passport now sits in the standard third-country queue. Keep evidence of strong home ties, a detailed itinerary and travel insurance covering at least €30,000. If you hold a residence permit or a second nationality with better access, travelling on that document may be simpler — something our team routinely advises on.

This page is for general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Entry rules change frequently and without notice — always confirm current requirements with the destination’s official embassy, consulate or immigration authority before booking travel.

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FAQ — Schengen Area & EU & the Vanuatu passport

Can Vanuatu citizens enter the Schengen Area without a visa in 2026?
No. Visa-free access ended on 4 February 2023 and Vanuatu was moved to the EU visa-required list on 12 December 2024. A Schengen visa is now required.
Does the suspension apply to older Vanuatu passports?
The full suspension applies to all Vanuatu ordinary passports for short-stay travel, regardless of issue date.
Which countries are affected?
All Schengen states and EU members — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece and Switzerland.
Will a Vanuatu passport ever regain Schengen visa-free access?
It is possible only if the EU and Vanuatu agree a new arrangement and the EU is satisfied with reforms to the citizenship programme. There is no confirmed timeline, so plan around the current visa requirement.
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