Passports in Europe are issued by each state individually, e.g. the Netherlands or United Kingdom. In general, passports issued in Europe either grant the holder the right of freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EU and EFTA passports), to those that don't (EU candidate countries and other non-EU European states).[ clarification needed ] The majority of European states are members of the European Union, and therefore issue EU passports.
All passports issued in Europe are B7 size and (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-3, 88 mm × 125 mm). The overwhelming majority of European passports are biometric ( ). These include all EU, EFTA, British, and EU candidate passports.
There are also several passports issued by partially-recognised and disputed states, such as Northern Cyprus and Kosovo.
The EU itself does not issue ordinary[ clarification needed ] passports, but ordinary passports issued by the 27 member states follow a common format. [1] This includes a burgundy cover (not compulsory: Croatia is the only exception) emblazoned with the title "European Union", followed by the member state's name in their official language(s) (occasionally translation into English and French), their coat of arms, the word "PASSPORT", together with the biometric passport symbol ( ). [2] Holders of EU passports are citizens of the European Union and entitled to exercise the rights of that citizenship, e.g. freedom of movement.
Some EU member states also issue non-EU passports to certain people who have a nationality which is not supplemented by European Union citizenship (e.g., Danish nationals residing in the Faroe Islands).
In addition, the European Commission issues European Union Laissez-Passers to the members and certain civil servants of its institutions. [3]
Member state | Passport cover | Biodata page | Validity | Issuing authority | Latest version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria |
| Municipal registration offices If abroad, Austrian embassies and consulates | 5 September 2014 [4] | ||
Belgium | Link to image |
|
| 1 May 2014 [5] | |
Bulgaria | Link to image |
| Ministry of Interior Affairs | 29 March 2010 | |
Croatia | Link to image |
|
| 3 August 2015 | |
Cyprus | Link to image |
|
| 13 December 2010 | |
Czech Republic | Link to image |
|
| 1 September 2006 | |
Denmark | Link to image |
|
| 1 January 2012 | |
Estonia | Link to image |
| 1 January 2021 | ||
Finland | Link to image |
| 1 January 2017 | ||
Finland Åland Islands [7] | Link to image |
| 1 January 2017 | ||
France | Link to image |
|
| 12 April 2006 | |
Germany | Link to image |
| Municipal registration offices If abroad, German embassies and consulates, including some honorary consulates | 1 March 2017 | |
Greece | Link to image |
| National Passport Centre ("Διεύθυνση Διαβατηρίων/Αρχηγείο Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας") | 28 August 2006 | |
Hungary | Link to image |
| Registration Office (Nyilvántartó Hivatal) | 1 March 2012 | |
Ireland | Link to image |
| Consular and Passport Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs | 3 October 2013 | |
Italy | Link to image |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs through
| 20 May 2010 | |
Latvia | Link to image |
|
| 29 January 2015 [11] | |
Lithuania | Link to image |
| 27 January 2011 | ||
Luxembourg | Link to image |
| Bureau des passeports | 16 February 2015 [5] | |
Malta | Link to image | Link to image |
| Passport & Civil Registration Directorate | 29 September 2008 |
Netherlands | Link to image |
|
| 23 December 2017 | |
Poland | Link to image |
|
| 5 November 2018 | |
Portugal | Link to image |
| 10 July 2017 | ||
Romania | Link to image |
| Ministry of Internal Affairs (General Directorate for Passports) | 12 January 2019 | |
Slovakia | Link to image |
|
| 26 November 2014 | |
Slovenia | Link to image |
| 12 December 2016 | ||
Spain | Link to image |
| 2 January 2015 | ||
Sweden | Link to image |
|
| 1 January 2022 |
Since the establishment of the European Economic Community, previous enlargements have seen the founding Inner Six states of 1958 [13] grow to the EU's current 27 member-states. Currently, there are nine recognised candidates for future membership of the EU: Turkey (applied in 1987), North Macedonia (applied in 2004), Montenegro (applied in 2008), Albania (applied in 2009), Serbia (applied in 2009), Bosnia and Herzegovina (applied in 2016), Ukraine (applied in 2022), Moldova (applied in 2022) and Georgia (applied in 2022). All except Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia have started accession negotiations. [14]
Unlike EU and EFTA passports, nationals carrying passports of EU candidate countries do not have free movement rights and are required to possess appropriate visas.
Candidate state | Passport cover | Biodata page | Validity | Issuing authority | Latest version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | Link to image |
| Ministry of the Interior | 2015 | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Link to image | 1 October 2014 | |||
Georgia | Link to image | 26 February 2010 | |||
Moldova | Link to image |
| Agency of public services [16] or Moldovan foreign representations abroad | 5 April 2023 | |
Montenegro | Link to image |
| Ministry of the Interior [17] | 2008 | |
North Macedonia | Link to image |
| Ministry of the Interior [18] | 2019 | |
Serbia | Link to image |
| Ministry of the Interior [19] | 7 July 2008 | |
Turkey | Link to image |
| Ministry of the Interior [20] | 25 August 2022 | |
Ukraine | Link to image |
| State Migration Service (part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) [21] | 1 January 2015 |
Like the EU, EFTA itself does not issue ordinary passports. It also does not issue any guidelines for a common passport design and format. The EFTA member states participate in the European Single Market and are part of the Schengen Area. [22] EFTA member-states include Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In accordance with the EFTA convention, nationals of EFTA member-states enjoy freedom of movement in each other's territory. [23] EFTA nationals also enjoy freedom of movement with the EU. EFTA nationals and EU citizens and are not only visa-exempt but are legally entitled to enter and reside in each other's countries. The right of freedom of movement is defined by the Citizens’ Rights Directive, which defines the right of free movement for citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), [24] [25] which includes the three EFTA members Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein and EU member-states. Switzerland, which is a member of EFTA but not of the EEA, is not bound by the Directive but rather has a separate bilateral agreement on free movement with the EU. [26]
Member state | Passport cover | Biodata page | Validity | Issuing authority | Latest version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iceland | Link to image | 10 years (adults) | Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands) | 23 May 2006 [27] (biometric) June 2013 [28] (current version) | |
Liechtenstein | Link to image |
| Ausländer- und Passamt | 26 October 2006 [29] | |
Norway | Link to image |
| Norwegian Police Service | 19 October 2020 [30] | |
Switzerland | Link to image |
| Canton passport office | 31 October 2022 |
Following the end of the UK's EU withdrawal transition period on 31 December 2020, British passports no longer grant holders the right to free movement within the EEA. British passports are issued to all types of British nationals. These include British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTCs), and British citizens resident in the Crown Dependencies.
The UK also participates in the Five Nations Passport Group, along with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
In Europe, British passports are issued to British citizens, BOTCs in Gibraltar, and British citizens resident in the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man).
Country | Passport cover | Biodata page | Validity | Issuing authority | Latest version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | Link to image |
| HM Passport Office | March 2020 | |
Isle of Man | |||||
Jersey | June 2020 | ||||
Guernsey | |||||
Gibraltar | Gibraltar Civil Status and Registration Office | October 2015 |
Member state | Passport cover | Biodata page | Validity | Latest version |
---|---|---|---|---|
Armenia | Link to image | 10 years (adults) | 16 July 2012 | |
Azerbaijan | Link to image | 1 year: children under age of 1 3 years: children under age of 3 5 years: children under age of 18 10 years: Adults | 1 September 2013 | |
Belarus | Link to image | 10 years | 15 May 2006 | |
Faroe Islands | Link to image | 10 years: adults 5 years: children | 1 January 2012 | |
Kazakhstan | Link to image | 10 years | 1 January 2009 | |
Kosovo | Link to image | 10 years: Adult 5 years: Child | 1 January 2013 | |
Sovereign Military Order of Malta | Link to image | Link to image | ||
Monaco | Link to image | 5 years | 26 October 200 | |
Northern Cyprus | 5 years | |||
Russia | Link to image | 10 years | 1 March 2010 | |
San Marino | Link to image | 10 years: over 14 5 years: aged 3–14 3 years: under 3 | 12 October 2006 | |
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of four European states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The organization operates in parallel with the European Union (EU), and all four member states participate in the European Single Market and are part of the Schengen Area. They are not, however, party to the European Union Customs Union.
The European Economic Area (EEA) was established via the Agreement on the European Economic Area, an international agreement which enables the extension of the European Union's single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EEA links the EU member states and three of the four EFTA states into an internal market governed by the same basic rules. These rules aim to enable free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the European single market, including the freedom to choose residence in any country within this area. The EEA was established on 1 January 1994 upon entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The contracting parties are the EU, its member states, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. New members of EFTA would not automatically become party to the EEA Agreement, as each EFTA State decides on its own whether it applies to be party to the EEA Agreement or not. According to Article 128 of the EEA Agreement, "any European State becoming a member of the Community shall, and the Swiss Confederation or any European State becoming a member of EFTA may, apply to become a party to this Agreement. It shall address its application to the EEA Council." EFTA does not envisage political integration. It does not issue legislation, nor does it establish a customs union. Schengen is not a part of the EEA Agreement. However, all of the four EFTA States participate in Schengen and Dublin through bilateral agreements. They all apply the provisions of the relevant Acquis.
European Union citizenship is afforded to all nationals of member states of the European Union (EU). It was formally created with the adoption of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, at the same time as the creation of the EU. EU citizenship is additional to, as it does not replace, national citizenship. It affords EU citizens with rights, freedoms and legal protections available under EU law.
European Economic Area (EEA) citizens have the right of free movement and residence throughout the EEA. This right also extends to certain family members, even if they are not EEA citizens. A Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen is issued to the family member to confirm this right of residence. The holder of a valid Residence Card is entitled to use this document in lieu of an entry visa for entry to all EEA member states. There is not a unified format for this card throughout the EU.
The Citizens' Rights Directive 2004/38/EC sets out the conditions for the exercise of the right of free movement for citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the member states of the European Union (EU) and the three European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Switzerland, which is a member of EFTA but not of the EEA, is not bound by the Directive but rather has a separate multilateral sectoral agreement on free movement with the EU and its member states.
A Norwegian passport is the passport issued to nationals of Norway for the purpose of international travel. Beside serving as proof of Norwegian citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Norwegian consular officials abroad.
Liechtenstein passports are issued to nationals of Liechtenstein for the purpose of international travel. Beside serving as proof of Liechtenstein citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Liechtenstein consular officials abroad.
Finnish passport are issued to nationals of Finland for the purpose of international travel. Aside from serving as proof of Finnish nationality, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Finnish consular officials abroad.
Swedish passports are issued to nationals of Sweden for the purpose of international travel. Besides serving as proof of Swedish citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Swedish consular officials abroad.
A Danish passport is an identity document issued to citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark to facilitate international travel. Besides serving as proof of Danish citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Danish consular officials abroad.
An Austrian passport is an identity document issued to citizens of Austria to facilitate international travel. Every Austrian citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The passport, along with the national identity card, allows for free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
The European Union itself does not issue ordinary passports, but ordinary passport booklets issued by its 27 member states share a common format. This common format features a colored cover emblazoned—in the official language(s) of the issuing country —with the title "European Union", followed by the name(s) of the member state, the heraldic "Arms" of the State concerned, the word "PASSPORT", together with the biometric passport symbol at the bottom center of the front cover.
Icelandic passports are issued to citizens of Iceland for the purpose of international travel. Beside serving as proof of Icelandic citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Icelandic consular officials abroad.
The Liechtenstein identity card is issued to Liechtenstein citizens by the Immigration and Passport Office in Vaduz. The card costs CHF65 for adults aged 18 or over and is valid for 10 years. For children, the card costs CHF30 and has a validity of 3 years.
National identity cards are identity documents issued to citizens of most European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) member states, with the exception of Denmark and Ireland. As a new common identity card model replaced the various formats in use from 2 August 2021, recently issued ID cards are harmonized across the EEA, while older ID cards are currently being phased out according to Regulation (EU) 2019/1157.
Since the 1980s, member states of the European Union have started to harmonise aspects of the designs of their ordinary passports, as well as common security features and biometrics.
Visa requirements for European Union citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other countries placed on citizens of the European Union. They differ among countries. The European Union has achieved full reciprocity with certain countries.
Visa requirements for EFTA nationals are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states.
Passports of the EFTA member states are passports issued by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EFTA is in this article used as a common name for these countries.
In British politics, the "Norway-plus model" was a proposal for a post-Brexit settlement, which the British government did not pursue. Proposed in November 2018 as an alternative to the Chequers plan, it would have consisted of membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and of membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) as an EFTA member state, combined with a separate customs union with the EU to create a trade relationship similar to that between the EU and its member states today, with the exception of the political representation in the EU's bodies. Michel Barnier, the EU's Chief Negotiator, has always said that a model that combined EEA/EFTA and a customs union was one that he would be happy to consider.
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