China Expands Visa-Free Travel to 18 New European Countries

To encourage tourism and business exchanges with Europe, China has added four more European nations to its visa-free policy.

Starting October 15, 2024, China will grant visa-free entry to travelers from five more European countries, increasing the total to 18. This move aims to boost tourism and business exchanges between China and Europe.

The new visa exemption program highlights China’s effort to strengthen global connections and make short-term travel easier for European visitors.

Visa-Free Entry for Five European Countries

Starting October 15, 2024, travelers from Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days. This policy applies to business, tourism, family visits, or transit and will last until December 31, 2025.

With this update, 18 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, now enjoy visa-free travel to China.

Expanding Visa-Free Access Across Europe and Beyond

Χθες 25 Σεπτεμβρίου, ώρα Νέας Υόρκης, ο #ΥΠΕΞ της Κίνας κ. #Wang Yi συναντήθηκε με τον ΥΠΕΞ της Ελλάδας κ. Γιώργο Γεραπετρίτη, στο περιθώριο της Γενικής Συνέλευσης των #ΗΕ. Ο κ. Wang δήλωσε ότι η #Κίνα θα εφαρμόσει πολιτική απαλλαγής από την υποχρέωση έκδοσης θεώρησης (#βίζα) για… pic.twitter.com/UPJaqEBdeY

— Chinese Embassy in Greece (@Chinaemb_Hellas) September 26, 2024

Earlier this year, Norway joined China’s visa-free list, followed by Poland, Australia, and New Zealand in July. This gradual rollout, which started in early 2024, shows China’s commitment to boosting business and tourism with Europe, Oceania, and beyond.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted that the program supports high-quality exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals, fostering stronger cultural and economic ties.

Full List of Visa-Free Countries

As of now, the European countries eligible for visa-free entry into China include:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Cyprus
4. Denmark
5. France
6. Germany
7. Greece
8. Hungary
9. Ireland
10. Italy
11. Luxembourg
12. Netherlands
13. Norway
14. Poland
15. Portugal
16. Slovenia
17. Spain
18. Switzerland

Tourists from these nations can enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days until the end of 2025, making China an even more accessible destination for short-term business trips and vacations.

Encouraging Global Tourism and Business

In the first nine months of 2024, 95 million international tourists visited China, a 55.4% increase from last year. This is 93.4% of pre-pandemic tourism levels in 2019.

To improve the travel experience, China now requires major tourist attractions to accept foreign bank cards, QR codes, and cash. This change aims to make travel more convenient and enjoyable for international visitors.

Final Words

China’s expanded visa-free travel policy is designed to strengthen international relations and attract more visitors from Europe and other regions. By making short-term stays easier, China is positioning itself as a top destination for tourism and global business.