European Agreement on the abolition of visas for refugees

Party

Albania added

• Signature: 03-12-2025
• Reservations / Declarations: No
• Objections: No

General information

• Entry into force: 04-09-1960

Kingdom part

Netherlands (in Europe)

• Entry into force: 04-09-1960

Party

Armenia

• Signature: 11-05-2001

Belgium

• Ratification: 20-04-1959 (S)
• Entry into force: 04-09-1960

Cyprus

• Signature: 07-04-1978

Czech Republic

• Ratification: 09-03-1999 (S)
• Entry into force: 10-04-1999

Germany

• Signature: 20-04-1959
• Ratification: 06-11-1961 (R)
• Entry into force: 07-12-1961

Iceland

• Signature: 08-09-1966
• Ratification: 08-09-1966 (R)
• Entry into force: 09-10-1966

Italy

• Signature: 04-12-1963
• Ratification: 01-06-1965 (R)
• Entry into force: 02-07-1965

Luxembourg

• Signature: 20-04-1959
• Ratification: 24-04-1961 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-1961

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

• Signature: 04-06-1959
• Ratification: 03-08-1960 (R)
• Entry into force: 04-09-1960

Romania

• Signature: 05-11-1999
• Ratification: 24-04-2001 (R)
• Entry into force: 25-05-2001

Spain

• Signature: 10-03-1982
• Ratification: 30-06-1982 (R)
• Entry into force: 31-07-1982

Denmark

• Ratification: 30-11-1960 (S)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1961
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  03-01-1961
  For refugees resident in a State which is not a Party to the Nordic Agreement concerning the waiving of passport control at the Inter-Nordic frontiers, signed at Copenhagen on 12 July 1957, the term "territory" shall, in so far as the right of refugees to remain in Denmark without visa and residence permit is concerned, mean the territory to which the said Nordic Agreement applies by virtue of Article 1, paragraph 2 thereof. It should be noted that, by virtue of Article 14, the Nordic Agreement is extended, with effect from 1 January 1961, to the Feroe Islands.

Finland

• Signature: 04-07-1990
• Ratification: 04-07-1990 (R)
• Entry into force: 05-08-1990
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  05-01-1994
  The Permanent Representation of Finland, referring to the decree which came into force in Finland on 1 January 1994, hereby informs the General Secretariat that all refugees who have been granted a travel document by France now require a visa on Finnish soil. This new policy will make practice in France and in Finland similar as from 1 January 1994.

France

• Ratification: 20-04-1959 (S)
• Entry into force: 04-09-1960
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No
• Algeria (< 05-07-1962)
  Entry into force: 08-02-1962
  Termination: 05-07-1962

• reservation
  28-05-1959
  With regard to the definition of the term "territory", the French Government has declared that the term refers only to "metropolitan France".

  reservation
  16-09-1986
  In pursuance of the measures which have just been taken by the Government in the field of the movement of persons, France finds itself constrained to suspend immediately, with effect from 16 September at 0 hour: - The European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe of 13 December 1957, in application of the provisions of its Article 7; - The European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees of 20 April 1959, in application of the provisions of its Article 7.

Hungary

• Signature: 16-06-2009
• Ratification: 06-11-2009 (R)
• Entry into force: 07-12-2009
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  06-11-2009
  The Government of the Republic of Hungary interprets the term "visit of not more than three months' duration" contained in Article 1.b of the Agreement as a period of three months during the six months following the date of first entry.

Ireland

• Ratification: 29-10-1969 (S)
• Entry into force: 30-11-1969
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  19-07-2022
  Pursuant to Article 7, paragraph 1, of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees, Ireland gives notice to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of the temporary suspension of the operation of the said Agreement as between Ireland and the other Contracting Parties, except in so far as the provisions of Article 5 are concerned. This temporary suspension shall take effect from 12:00 on Tuesday 19 July 2022, for an initial period of one year, at which time the suspension will be reviewed.

  reservation
  13-07-2023
  The Government of Ireland declares that the temporary suspension, as between Ireland and the other contracting parties, of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas shall remain in effect, except in so far as the provisions of Article 5 are concerned, until further notice to the Secretary General, pursuant to Article 7, paragraph 1, of the said Agreement.

Liechtenstein

• Ratification: 28-10-1969 (A)
• Entry into force: 29-11-1969
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  28-10-1969
  Settlement in the meaning of Article 5 of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees shall be determined in relation to the place where the refugee's personal interests are centred. Consequently, presence on the territory of a High Contracting Party for the purpose of attending an educational establishment, convalescent home or other similar institutions shall not constitute settlement within the meaning of the said Article 5.

Malta

• Ratification: 17-01-1989 (S)
• Entry into force: 18-02-1989
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  17-01-1989
  Settlement in the meaning of Article 5 of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees shall be determined in relation to the place where the refugee's personal interests are centred. Consequently, presence on the territory of a High Contracting Party for the purpose of attending an educational establishment, medical establishment, convalescent home or other similar institution shall not constitute settlement within the meaning of the said Article 5.

Norway

• Ratification: 25-11-1960 (S)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1961
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  15-12-1960
  For refugees resident in a State which is not a Party to the Nordic Convention concerning the waiving of passport control at the Inter-Nordic frontiers of 12 July 1957, the term "territory" shall, in so far as the right of refugees to remain in Norway without visa and residence permit is concerned, mean the territory covered by Article 1, paragraph 2 of the above-mentioned Convention.

Poland

• Signature: 19-05-2004
• Ratification: 20-04-2005 (R)
• Entry into force: 21-05-2005
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  19-05-2004
  Settlement in the meaning of Article 5 of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees shall be construed as the stay related to the transfer of the refugee's important vital interests, for which the refugee was granted a permit different than a visa in line with provisions regulating the entry, transit, stay and departure of aliens from the territory of the Republic of Poland. Stay for which the refugee was granted a permit for the purpose of attending an educational establishment, medical establishment, convalescent home or other similar institutions shall not constitute settlement within the meaning of the said Article 5.

Portugal

• Signature: 10-05-1979
• Ratification: 12-10-1981 (R)
• Entry into force: 13-11-1981
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No
• Azores
  Entry into force: 13-11-1981Madeira
  Entry into force: 13-11-1981

• reservation
  01-12-1981
  In accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of this Agreement, the term "territory" means the portuguese territory on the European continent and the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira.

Slovakia

• Signature: 03-06-2004
• Ratification: 27-01-2005 (R)
• Entry into force: 28-02-2005
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  29-03-2005
  In accordance with Article 2 of the Agreement, Slovakia declares that the territory of the Slovak Republic is integral and indivisible, defined by State borders with neighbouring States according to the international treaties concluded by the Slovak Republic or by international treaties by which the Slovak Republic is bound.

Sweden

• Ratification: 30-11-1960 (S)
• Entry into force: 01-01-1961
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  30-11-1960
  For refugees resident in a State which is not a Party to the Nordic Agreement concerning the waiving of passport control at the Inter-Nordic frontiers, signed at Copenhagen on 12 July 1957, the term "territory" shall, in so far as the right of refugees to remain in Sweden without visa and residence permit is concerned, mean the territory to which the said Nordic Agreement applies.

Switzerland

• Signature: 29-11-1965
• Ratification: 20-12-1966 (R)
• Entry into force: 21-01-1967
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No

• reservation
  29-11-1965
  Settlement in the meaning of Article 5 of the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees shall be determined in relation to the place where the refugee's personal interests are centred. Consequently, presence on the territory of a High Contracting Party for the purpose of attending an educational establishment, medical establishment, convalescent home or other similar institution shall not constitute settlement within the meaning of the said Article 5.

United Kingdom

• Ratification: 26-08-1968 (S)
• Entry into force: 27-09-1968
• Reservations / Declarations: Yes
• Objections: No
• Guernsey
  Entry into force: 27-09-1968Jersey
  Entry into force: 27-09-1968Man, Isle of
  Entry into force: 27-09-1968

• reservation
  07-02-2003
  Under the provisions of Article 7, paragraph 1, of the Agreement, the United Kingdom gives hereby formal notice of its intention to suspend on public order and security grounds the operation of this Agreement. This decision will come into force at 00.01 hours on Tuesday 11 February 2003. The Home Secretary will on [7 February 2003] announce to Parliament that he intends to suspend the operation of the Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees of 1959. This decision reflects growing concern that the holders of 1951 Convention Travel Documents, issued by signatories to the Agreement, are travelling to the United Kindgom and either remaining illegally or making asylum applications in false identities in order to access the benefits system. This undermines the integrity of our asylum process, places an unacceptable burden on the system and diverts valuable resources from those in genuine need. There are also security implications for the United Kingdom if people remain in the United Kingdom illegally.