Complete Guide to Traveling to Europe from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Excited about an adventure to Europe? More New Zealanders are prioritising longer trips to far-flung destinations and there’s not much that can rival a city-hopping trip to Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Paris, and more¹.

Whether you just want to see all the top attractions or study or work on the continent, there are a few travel requirements to sort out first.

This blog will detail the enticing visa-free options available to NZ citizens and cover some handy customs, finance, and mobile tips to prepare you for your journey. We'll also introduce the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents
NZ to Europe Travel Requirements Applying for Europe Visa from NZ Flying to Europe from NZ Checklist for NZ to Europe Travel Managing Your Finances in Europe Cash Considerations Using Your NZ Cards in Europe Wise Travel Card for Europe

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New Zealand to Europe Travel Requirements

Europe is very welcoming to New Zealanders with its widespread visa exemptions. You can stay as a tourist and move freely between 26 countries in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days without applying for a visa². Most other places outside the EU bloc including the UK also offer visa-free travel.

There’s a bit more paperwork to sort from 2025, though. Both the EU and the UK will soon require all visitors to complete an electronic travel authorisation on arrival^3,4.

Schengen Visa for New Zealand Citizens

The Schengen area of Europe is the easiest for New Zealanders to traverse. You can stay here and transit between countries for up to 3 months without a visa or going through border controls.

What’s more, 17 countries within this area also have bilateral visa waiver agreements with New Zealand³. This allows you to move for up to 3 months in each country. These countries are:

• Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland

While you won’t need a visa for short stays, you must enrol on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is set to come into force at some point in 2025, but the official launch date for the system has yet to be confirmed as of publishing this article. Make sure to check the official ETIAS website for up-to-date guidance before you travel to Europe.

Long-stay Europe Visa for New Zealand Citizens

It’s important to note that long-stay visas differ by country and are not Schegen-wide². If you acquire a work or study visa for France, for example, you won’t be able to use it in Germany. You must apply for a separate visa or permit.

Here’s how it would work in a few European countries:

• Germany: Apply for a residence or work permit after entering the country at a local consulate
• France: Apply for a long-stay visa by making an appointment at the French Embassy in New Zealand
• Netherlands: Apply for an MVV visa sticker by making an appointment at the Dutch Embassy in Wellington

UK Visa for New Zealand Citizens

The visa exemption for NZ citizens is even longer in the UK, lasting up to six months³. This allows you to visit England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland just by presenting your passport and electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

The ETA is also a new requirement for 2025, effective from 8 January⁶. New Zealanders can apply for this now by downloading the 'UK ETA' app on the Apple App Store and Google Play⁷.

The UK’s six-month visa waiver is quite relaxed in its requirements. You can see the sights and spend time with family and friends. You also have access to the privileges extended to a 'Standard Visitor'. This includes minor business activities, and getting private medical treatment⁸.

However, you can’t work or live there for long periods. Common non-immigrant visa types for the UK include skilled worker, short-term study, and transit.

Non-EU Visa for New Zealand Citizens

There are only four countries in Europe — not just the EU — that don’t offer visa-free arrangements for stays up to 3 months for New Zealanders. These are Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine³.

If you aren’t travelling to a destination in the Schengen area or the UK, we recommend visiting the local embassy website for these countries for clarity on the visa requirements for NZ citizens.

Europe Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

Residence permit holders may not qualify for the same visa waivers as NZ citizens. Visa requirements for Europe are based on nationality. If this applies to you, we recommend checking eligibility criteria according to your passport’s country of issue.

Applying for Europe Visa from New Zealand

Most sightseeing and recreational trips to Europe don’t require a visa. However, if you are planning to study or work on the continent, or stay longer than 1 or 2 months, you will need to apply for a relevant visa.

The exact procedure for visa applications will differ by country. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for a common process:

1. Visit the country’s official embassy website
2. Make an appointment at the relevant embassy in Wellington
3. Complete the application form and gather supporting documents, including:
   1. Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
   2. 2 passport-size photos
   3. Proof of funds for the trip or long stay
   4. Itinerary for trip and ticket for onward journey
4. Visit the embassy and conduct an interview
5. Pay the visa fee and wait for approval
6. Receive visa and present it on arrival to immigration authorities

This is just a general guide. Every country will have their own visa application system. You may even be able to apply online. Contact the local embassy or visit the official website for more information about applying for a visa.

Flying to Europe from New Zealand

There are no direct flights to countries in Europe, but there are lots of routes from major NZ airports with connecting flights and layovers in Asia or the Middle East.

Airlines operating between New Zealand and Europe include:

• Air New Zealand
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Qantas and British Airways

Be prepared for a long trip to all destinations in Europe. However, the 12-hour time difference means flights that depart from NZ in the morning can arrive later that day.

Here are some flight times including layovers:

Flight	Time	Common Stops
Auckland to London	From 26 hours	Dubai, Doha, Singapore
Auckland to Athens	From 28 hours	Dubai, Doha, Singapore
Wellington to Paris	From 29 hours	Sydney, Dubai, Singapore
Christchurch to Rome	From 30 hours	Sydney, Doha, Bangkok

What can I bring into Europe

The EU’s member nations follow the same customs rules⁹. On arrival, you must declare prohibited and restricted items. These include dangerous goods such as firearms, drugs, and counterfeit items, plus food stuffs including meat and dairy products.

The good news is that you won't have to pass border controls or immigration authorities when travelling between EU countries.

These are the duty-free allowances when travelling to the EU from a non-EU country such as New Zealand¹⁰:

• Up to 10,000 EUR (18,454 NZD) in cash or foreign currency equivalent
• Up to 200 cigarette sticks, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco
• Up to 16L of beer, 4L or wine, and 1L of spirits

The limits increase when travelling between EU countries. For example, if you went from Germany to France, you won’t have to pay duty on up to 110L of beer¹¹.

When travelling outside the EU, customs restrictions will differ.

In the UK, for instance, you can bring in up to 42L of beer, 18L of wine, up to 10,000 GBP in cash and goods worth up to 1,000 GBP in value¹². Items above the duty-free limit, and banned or restricted items must be declared. You can do this online before you fly.

Document to carry before flying to Europe

If you are travelling to Europe and ticking a few countries off your bucket list, you need to pack in all the necessary documents for a hassle-free trip. Don't forget these:

• Passport: Valid for 3 months after the date you plan to leave the EU
• Visa: Relevant visa if you aren’t travelling as a tourist
• Supporting documents: The EU website states that you must justify the reason and length of your stay¹³. Be ready to present an itinerary, flight tickets, and proof of your finances such as bank statements.
• Travel insurance proof: A printed copy and screenshot of your travel insurance policy

At some point in 2025, you must also complete the electronic travel authorisation in the EU and UK. However, there are currently no mandatory requirements for health certificates or vaccination records.

Checklist for New Zealand to Europe Travel

Once you’ve readied your documents, it’s time to start thinking about a few day-to-day essentials.

A universal travel adapter or two is a must. The most common plug socket is Type C — also known as the 'Europlug'. However, the UK and Ireland both use the three-pin Type G plug.

You should also take appropriate clothing. The climate can differ greatly. Expect hotter conditions in southern regions like Spain and cooler climes in Scandinavia and the UK. The summer — June to August — is warm to hot in most places, though.

Some basic medical supplies will also come in handy. However, you shouldn’t have any problem sourcing these locally during your stay.

Mobile connectivity

You can take advantage of international roaming to use your NZ SIM in Europe. While convenient, there is the risk of running up a hefty bill. Spark, for example, offers a 14-day ‘roaming data’ pack for 25 NZD in dozens of European countries, but this includes just 2GB of data¹⁴.

You might be better off purchasing an eSIM before you travel instead. Airalo has affordable plans that work in 42 countries¹⁵. Other eSIMs include AloSIM, Saily, Holafly, and Orange.

If you are visiting more than one country, eSIMs are the most convenient. However, you also have the option of purchasing a local prepaid SIM card at an airport or convenience store on arrival.

Travel Insurance for Europe

Travel insurance is a must for backpacking trips across Europe. You can get multi-country coverage with a single policy for medical emergencies, flight cancellations, and more. If you are planning a long escape, check the terms and conditions to ensure you are covered for all eventualities.

Our guide to the best travel insurance in New Zealand will give you a helping hand in finding a policy that meets your needs.

Managing Your Finances in Europe

While Europe is often characterised as a cashless society, there is value in having a mix of the local currency and cards to pay for the things you need.

Cash Considerations

You might be surprised to hear that cash remains popular in Europe, accounting for 52% of point-of-sale payments in 2024²⁰. It’s always good to have some local currency, whatever country you are in. Cash comes in handy for smaller payments in stores, cafés, markets, and on public transport.

20 countries in Europe use the Euro (EU) including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain²¹. Other non-EU countries will have their own local currency, such as the Pound sterling (GBP) in the UK, and Danish krone (DKK) in Denmark.

We recommend exchanging some cash before you travel. If you leave it all until your arrival, you might run into costly foreign exchange fees and markups on conversion rates. This can be an issue if you are budgeting for a pan-European adventure. There are also plenty of ATMs in most countries for quick top-ups.

For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

Some major cities are notorious hot spots for pickpockets, though. Don’t take any chances with notes and coins. Keep them stowed in a hidden money belt or deep pocket. And split larger dominations between different locations for safety.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards in Europe

Apple Pay and Google Wallet are widely used in Europe^18,19. You can check the official support pages before you travel for country-specific availability.

You won’t have a problem using your NZD cards across Europe. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. There may even be some spots where card or contactless is the only option. In Norway, for example, just 3% of people use cash, according to a survey by the country’s central bank¹⁶.

Europe is a big place, though, and preferences vary by region. One constant is foreign transaction fees. You will have to pay these — typically a small percentage — when using a card with a traditional bank in Europe.¹⁷.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available for residents of New Zealand and supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on Euro Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ destinations - including Hong Kong.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. New Zealand Residents Travel Statistics
2. Travel & Study - European External Action Service
3. Border Controls in Europe - PDF
4. What is ETIAS?
5. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Factsheet - January 2025
6. Visiting and Living in the United Kingdom
7. Apply for an ETA - Easier on the App
8. Standard Visitor Visa
9. Schengen Area - Policies
10. Carrying Goods When Travelling
11. Carrying Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cash
12. Bringing Goods into the UK for Personal Use
13. Entry and Exit for Non-EU Nationals
14. International Roaming - Spark Mobile Plans
15. Europe eSIM - Airalo
16. Payment Services - Norges Bank Papers 2023
17. Travel Money - ANZ New Zealand
18. Locate a Family Member in a Crisis
19. Pay in Store with Google Pay
20. Which Countries in Europe Are Heading Toward Becoming Cashless Societies?
21. Using the Euro When Travelling