TRAVEL & STUDY
Travel & Study
* Disclaimer *
The information in this page is for guidance only and does not replace or substitute national legislation. Please contact the diplomatic mission of the country you intend to visit for up to date travel information. If you are subject to special circumstances (e.g. conviction, intending to work, get married, join partner or family for a long stay etc.) or if you have any doubts please contact the relevant diplomatic mission. It is subject to change due to the evolving global Covid-19 situation.
On This Page
- Entry into Europe and travel within Europe
- Schengen Area
- Short Stays in the Schengen Area (less than 3 months)
- Longer/working/studying stays in Schengen Area
- Travelling to New Zealand
- More information about entering and travelling around New Zealand
- European Union representation to New Zealand
- Embassies
- Study programmes
- European Union Information Centres
Entry into Europe and travel within Europe
Currently, New Zealand residents may travel to the EU for non-essential purposes. The conditions of travel may change, however, due to epidemiological conditions. People considering travel to the EU from New Zealand are advised to check the EU’s status of travel and travel conditions and advice from the EU country they plan to enter first.
For travel within the EU, Re-Open EU provides information on the various measures in place, including on quarantine and testing requirements for travellers, the EU Digital COVID certificate to help you exercise your right to free movement, and mobile coronavirus contact tracing and warning apps.
Schengen Area
The Schengen Area is 26 European countries that have mutually decided to eliminate passport and immigration controls at their joint borders. Within the Schengen Area, concurrently, the citizens of these 26 European countries are free to travel in and out of this zone as one single country sharing equal international travel rights. The citizens of the Schengen zone countries cherish the right to migrate internationally without any limitations, the basis of free movement, one of the basic human rights. For more information please visit http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/
The Schengen Area countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden.
When travelling to the European Union please bear in mind that not all EU Member-States belong to the Schengen Area. Of these countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania have unilaterally recognised certain documents (e.g. a Schengen visa) as equivalent to their national visas for transit through or intended stays on their territories not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
Short Stays in the Schengen Area (less than 3 months)
When travelling to the Schengen Area, foreign citizens must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa, which enables them to travel freely throughout the Schengen Area for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period (with multiple entries and exits).
New Zealand is however on a list of third-countries (outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Schengen Zone) whose citizens do NOT require a visa to visit the Schengen Area for less than 90 days within a 180-day period.
New Zealand citizens benefit from this short-stay visa waiver, as long as they (a) do not intend to work; (b) hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after date of return; and (c) have a return ticket.
New Zealand nationals are advised to ensure that their passport is stamped on entry and exit at the external borders of the Schengen Area. It is important to have evidence of the date of entry into the Schengen Area for any potential subsequent contact with local police or other authorities. Border officials in EU countries may ask for other supporting documents such as for example an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket. For the precise requirements contact the local consular services of the Schengen country in question.
Longer/working/studying stays in Schengen Area
For stays in the territory of the Schengen Area which are longer than 90 days within any 180-day period, or for studying or working purposes, a national visa of the respective Schengen country is required.
For more information please consult: http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-types/
It is highly recommended that you consult the country's consular offices of your destination, in order to obtain more detailed information and/or make your visa application. Scroll to the bottom for EU countries with consular offices in New Zealand.
Travelling to New Zealand
General Advice New Zealand is considered one of the safest and more welcoming countries in the world, with record low crime rates. However, this does not mean that crime does not occur. Like everywhere, common sense and vigilance should be exercised at all times
Visiting New Zealand
Some visitors and transit passengers can travel to New Zealand without a visa if they get an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before they travel. This is valid for many visits and up to 2 years. A list of visa waiver countries and territories can be found here. To find more information click here.
When EU citizens are only passing through New Zealand, as travellers in transit, they do not need a transit visa. However, please note that if you are transiting through Australia on the way to New Zealand, you may need to apply for an Australian visa.
Longer stays/working/studying in new Zealand
For stays exceeding 3 months an appropriate visa is required.
You can consult the visa type needed and all requirements here.
More information about entering and travelling around New Zealand
Biosecurity
New Zealand has strict biosecurity procedures at airports and ports to prevent the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases. These are much stricter than in Europe. Arriving passengers are required to declare any and all of the following items: Food (any type of fruits), Plant and plant products (including souvenirs and other items made of wood, straw, shells etc.), live animals, animal products, salt and freshwater products and items associated with water (including holy water), used sporting and camping equipment (including hiking shoes).
If you have any items you are unsure about, you are required to declare it before the biosecurity process or dispose of it. Amnesty bins are located throughout ports and airports. Failing to do so will result in a fine.
Driving in New Zealand
New Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road and some roads are narrow, windy and have loose gravel. It is recommended to give yourself more time to reach your destination than that advised by your travel guide or GPS.
Driving licence
Overseas drivers, who do not hold a permanent visa, are regarded as 'visiting drivers' and may use their valid overseas licence to drive. If the licence is not in English the driver must have in addition either an international driving licence (recommended) or a certified English translation of the licence. All drivers must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving.
European Union representation to New Zealand
Most EU countries with accreditation to New Zealand have their Embassies located in either Wellington or Canberra.
There are eight EU Member States Embassies based in Wellington: France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
Fifteen EU Countries who are based in Canberra are also accredited to New Zealand: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
The Estonian and Lithuanian Ambassadors to New Zealand are resident in Tokyo and Latvia's in London. Bulgaria and Luxembourg are not accredited to New Zealand at this stage. Bulgaria's consular affairs are dealt by their Embassy in Canberra while Luxembourg's are dealt by the Embassy of The Netherlands in Wellington.
To cover the ground in the absence of full Embassies in New Zealand - and to have a wider reach outside Wellington for those with Embassies - Consuls-General and Honorary Consuls represent EU/Schengen countries in the main cities of New Zealand - Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.
Embassies
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Embassy of France [email protected] |
Embassy of Germany [email protected] |
Embassy of Ireland Tel: + 64 (4) 471 2252 |
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Embassy of Italy [email protected] |
Embassy of the Netherlands [email protected] |
Embassy of Hungary [email protected] |
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Embassy of Poland [email protected] |
Embassy of Spain [email protected] |
Study programmes
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for education, training, youth and sport. Between 2014 and 2020, it will provide opportunities for four million people to study, train and gain life experience abroad.
See the Erasmus+ web portal’s Resources section for information about linguistic support, documents for applicants and the management of proposals.
EU Visitor Programme
The EUVP is jointly sponsored and administered by the European Parliament and the European Commission and has been in operation since 1974. New Zealand and Australia have participated in the programme since 1983 sending over 138 visitors to Europe during that time.
European Union Information Centres
Supported and established by the European Union, European Union Information Centres stock official publications, documents and information about and by the European Union. They can help you find information on a variety of subjects including European law, integration, policies and EU institutions.
University of Canterbury
Central Library
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Contact: Janette Nicolle
Tel: (0 3) 364 2987 (ext 7035)
Fax: (0 3) 364 2483
[email protected]
http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/eu/