Travelling to Europe from Australia: Visa, Flights, Tips [2025]

Despite the distances involved, Aussies love to travel to Europe. Whether for a holiday, business, study or an extended gap year through the Working Holiday Maker Visa Program (WHM), a trip to Europe is high on many people’s bucket list.

With 253,606 visa applications lodged across the total WHM program in 2023-24¹ alone, it's easy to imagine just how many Aussies are heading abroad to explore Europe each year. No matter if you have been before or this will be your first foray into this diverse continent, it pays to be prepared and aware of what to expect.

From island hopping in Greece, to sunny days exploring Southern France, delicious coffee and pasta in Italy, sweeping English countrysides and more, we’ve got the details you need to get started on your adventure. From understanding visa requirements to sorting out sim cards, finances and insurance, here’s what to expect when travelling to Europe.

We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

Table of contents
Australia to Europe Travel Requirements European (EU) Visa Requirements from Australia Applying for a Schengen Visa from Australia Flying to Europe from Australia Checklist for Australia to Europe Travel Travel Insurance for Europe Making Payments in Europe

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Australia to Europe Travel Requirements

Depending on your proposed destinations, travel itinerary, duration and purpose of travel, you may or may not require a visa to visit Europe. For this guide, we will be referring to Europe as those countries counted within the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom when discussing visas.

For visa rules for other nations within Europe that are not part of the EU, please refer to their embassy or consulate pages for advice on whether a visa is required.

European (EU) Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens

If you are planning to visit the EU as a tourist or student for no more than 90 days within a 180-day period and are an Australian citizen, a visa is not required and you can travel freely between participating countries.²

Additionally, from mid-2025, Australian citizens will be required to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) authorisation before travelling to most European countries.³ This is an electronic travel waiver, similar to the USA's ESTA, linked to your passport. The application is completed online, costs a small fee, and is typically valid for three years. It is essential to apply for ETIAS before booking your flights or accommodation.

For the UK, Australians can visit for the purpose of tourism for up to 6 months visa-free. As of 2025, however, you will need to complete an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling if you do not hold a long-stay visa.⁴

Student Visas

As noted above, short-term study under 90 days is permitted visa-free for Australian citizens. However, should you be undertaking long-term study at a European educational institution or for any study program exceeding 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay national student visa from the specific Schengen country where you plan to study for the longer duration. Costs, requirements and durations for these may vary by country.

For the UK, a student visa is required where any formal study will be undertaken at a licensed educational institution. Applications can be made online for a fee, strict documentation criteria exist, and visa duration will depend on your course type.⁵

Working & Extended Stay Visas

If you wish to work and extend your stay within the EU and are aged between 18 and 30-35 years of age, you may be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa. Each partner country or jurisdiction has its name for the program, for example, the 'Youth Mobility Scheme' in the UK, in addition to specific eligibility criteria and conditions for Australians.⁶

Where ineligible for a WHM visa, you may be able to pursue an EU Blue Card. This is a work and residence permit that can be issued by a member state of the EU to a qualifying candidate.⁷ For the UK, an application for a Skilled Worker Visa, sponsored by a UK employer will be required.⁸

European (EU) Visa Requirements for Australian Resident Permit holders

For foreign passport holders that are also Australian residents, depending on your passport country, you may be required to apply for a Schengen visa for tourism or short-term study purposes.⁹

Just like Australian citizens, to stay, study or work in the EU or UK long-term, you will need to apply for a specific visa or an EU Blue Card to do so. Eligibility for WHM visas in Europe and the UK is restricted to certain countries. If your passport is not from one of the eligible countries, your local consulate or embassy can help you explore alternative visa options.

Applying for a European (Schengen) Visa from Australia

Should you require a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe from Australia as a non-citizen with a foreign passport that is ineligible for visa-free travel, you can do so as follows⁹:

1. Determine where to apply. You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa with the consulate of the country you intend to visit or the country in which you will spend the longest.
2. Check eligibility and ensure you meet the requirements for the Schengen country you’re applying to.
3. Schedule a visa appointment at the consulate, embassy or visa application center.
4. Complete the application form.
5. Gather all required documents. This typically includes a valid passport, travel itinerary, accommodation proof, financial statements, travel insurance and a cover letter.
6. Attend the visa interview: Submit documents, provide biometrics (fingerprints & photo), and answer questions if required.
7. Pay the visa fee. Fees vary by passport country and age of applicant.
8. Wait for processing. This can take around 15 days, but can be longer. Applications can be made up to 6 months before travel to avoid stress from processing delays.

Once you receive a decision, either an approved visa will be stamped in your passport or a refusal notice will come with reasons and appeal options.

Flying to Europe from Australia

Who you fly with and how long it will take to get from Australia to Europe will differ depending on where you depart from and which country and city you are heading to.

To give an idea of what to expect, below are some of the main options for departures from either Perth or Sydney to three major European hubs in the UK, France and Germany. While direct flights are currently only available between Perth and London, extending an unavoidable stopover en-route can also be a great opportunity to explore somewhere new.

Departure City	Arrival City	Airlines	Flight Duration	Stopovers
Sydney	London	Qantas, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 22h+	Typically one stopover in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha
Sydney	Paris	Air France, Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 23h+	Usually one stopover in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha
Sydney	Frankfurt	Lufthansa, Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 23h+	Typically one stopover in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha
Perth	London	Qantas (Non-stop), Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 17h (Non-stop) or 21h+ with stopovers	Non-stop available, or stopovers in Singapore, Doha, or Dubai
Perth	Paris	Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 21h+	Typically one stopover in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha
Perth	Frankfurt	Lufthansa, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways	Approximately 21h+	Usually one stopover in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha

What can I bring into Europe?

The UK and each EU country can have different restrictions, prohibitions or allowances. As such, it's advisable to check the customs website of your destination country before traveling.

General advice for the EU indicates that items such as clothing, toiletries, personal electronics, prescribed medications or similar can all be brought in without issue.

To avoid issues on arrival and remain compliant with EU legislation, restricted or prohibited items should be excluded from your luggage or declared. This includes¹⁰:

• Illegal or dangerous drugs
• Indecent or obscene goods
• Certain foodstuffs (mainly meat, milk, fish or products thereof)
• Products of endangered species
• Protected items of international heritage
• Prescription medicines not accompanied by a doctor's authorisation
• Firearms, weapons, fireworks or explosives
• Live or dead animals, fish, birds or plants

Duty-free allowances

Cash and duty-free items such as alcohol and tobacco can be brought in subject to country-specific guidelines, which should be reviewed before departure.

Documents to carry before flying to Europe

To ensure a smooth journey to Europe and a hassle-free arrival, make sure you have the following:

• A valid passport with at least three months of validity remaining from your intended return date.¹¹
• Where required, either proof of your Schengen Visa approval or evidence of your visa for travel, study, or work, depending on your destination and length of stay.

While vaccination records or proof of insurance are not generally required for short-term visitors, some countries may require them for long-term stays. Even if submitted during your visa application, it is advisable to carry copies of these documents in case immigration officials request them.

Checklist for Australia to Europe Travel

Ready to pack and begin exploring Europe? Here are a few final things to keep in mind that can help you enjoy the best time away:

• Power adapters & electronics. Europe mainly uses type C/E/F outlets, while the UK uses type G - all are typically 230V, 50Hz. Bring a suitable adapter and check if your devices support 230V to avoid needing a voltage converter.
• Mobile connectivity. Check if your provider offers affordable roaming. Otherwise, consider a European eSIM or local prepaid SIM for better rates, just be sure to confirm your phone supports eSIM activation first.
• Seasonal packing. Europe’s seasons differ across regions. Summers (June–August) can be very hot and dry, while winters (December–February) can be freezing, especially in northern and mountainous areas. Pack accordingly and be prepared for sudden weather changes during shoulder seasons.
• Health and safety. Travel insurance is highly recommended. Carry prescription medications with a doctor’s note and ensure you bring enough for your trip. Stay updated on travel advice through official sources in your destination and share key documents with a trusted contact in case of emergencies.

Travel Insurance for Europe

As with all travel abroad, ensuring you have adequate insurance, especially to cover any health emergencies, is strongly recommended. While Australian citizens visiting the UK may be covered for medical care under a reciprocal healthcare agreement, there are strict conditions associated, and this cover does not extend to wider Europe.¹²

As such, it is strongly recommended to ensure you have sufficient travel insurance, as it not only assists with emergency medical care throughout Europe but may also protect you against theft, cancellations, rental car damage and more.

For a complete guide, click here to review the best travel insurance providers for Europe 👉

Different insurers will offer variations in coverage and policy costs, so be sure to shop around and read the terms and conditions in detail before purchasing.

Managing Your Finances in Europe

Both cash and card can be used throughout Europe, though card payments are increasingly the preferred option, especially in larger cities. No matter which you choose, you may find yourself using several different currencies while away, all of which will be subject to constantly fluctuating exchange rates.

To help your money go further, it’s wise to find ways to minimise fees and access the best rates while abroad.

Cash and Multiple Currencies

Navigating Europe often means dealing with multiple currencies—Euros in France, Pounds in the UK, Francs in Switzerland, and more. While cards are widely used, having local cash is essential for smaller cafes, market stalls, or places that don't accept cards.

A dedicated travel money card is the perfect tool for a multi-country European trip. It allows you to convert AUD into various currencies like EUR, GBP, and CHF in one account, often at the mid-market exchange rate. You can then withdraw cash from local ATMs as you cross borders, avoiding poor rates at airport exchange counters. Look for a provider that uses the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees for ATM use abroad.

Best Ways to Get Foreign Currency 👉

The Hidden Costs of Using Your Australian Bank Cards

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted across Europe, so your Australian-issued debit or credit card will work in most places. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also common, especially in cities.

While convenient, using your home bank's card for payments or ATM withdrawals can come with several costly fees, including:

• Currency conversion fees, often 3% or more of the transaction amount.
• Overseas ATM withdrawal fees from both your bank and the local ATM provider.
• Poor exchange rates with hidden markups on top of the fees.

For this reason, it is important to review your card provider's terms and conditions for not only the foreign transaction fees but also the currency conversion rate. This is usually marked up from the mid-market exchange rate you usually see on Google — and the one used by Wise.

Heading to Europe? Spend smarter in multiple currencies with the Wise Card

Don't let high bank fees and poor exchange rates across different currencies eat into your European holiday budget. With the Wise card, you can hold EUR, GBP, and dozens of other currencies, and spend like a local wherever you go. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://growth-layer.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Australian Government Department of Home Affairs - WHM Applications 2023-2024, p. 11
2. Delegation of the European Union to Australia - Visas
3. European Union - ETIAS Official Website
4. Smartraveller - United Kingdom
5. Gov.uk - Student Visa
6. Australian Government Department of Home Affairs - WHM Program
7. European Commission - EU Blue Card
8. Gov.uk - Skilled Worker Visa
9. European Commission - Schengen Visa Applications
10. European Union - Travel in the EU
11. Smartraveller - Schengen Area
12. Services Australia - Reciprocal Healthcare AU/UK

Sources checked on 19 September 2025