Italy, France, Germany: 38 European Countries Can Now Visit China Visa-Free

China Introduces Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of Nine Nations!

China has expanded its visa-free travel scheme to include eight more European countries, aiming to boost tourism and international exchanges. Citizens of Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, and Latvia can now visit China without a visa starting 30 November 2024 until 31 December 2025.

This follows recent updates granting visa-free access to Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovakia, and Norway, allowing their citizens to stay in China for up to 30 days. In October, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia were added to the list, bringing the total number of European countries with visa-free access to 38.

Earlier this year, China also extended visa-free entry to Poland, Australia, and New Zealand, allowing unrestricted visits until the end of 2025.

Why China Is Expanding Visa-Free Access

The move is part of China’s efforts to revive tourism and strengthen ties with foreign nationals. According to the Foreign Ministry, the initiative supports "high-quality development" and greater collaboration between Chinese citizens and international visitors.

The visa-free scheme, introduced in stages throughout 2024, aims to attract both tourists and business travelers. It comes as China works to recover from the drop in international visits caused by strict pandemic-related restrictions, which lasted nearly three years.

Which European Countries Can Now Visit Visa-Free?

Citizens from the following 38 European countries can now travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days:

• Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.

International Travel to China Still Rebounding

China’s tourism industry has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, foreign entries and exits totaled 35.5 million, significantly below the 97.7 million recorded in 2019. However, interest is growing. From July to September 2024, China welcomed 8.2 million foreign visitors, with 4.9 million entering visa-free.

The government is also encouraging tourism through partnerships with platforms like Trip.com and by promoting cultural landmarks and technological upgrades. These efforts align with China's broader strategy to attract foreign investment and foster economic growth.

Popular Destinations for European Tourists

Shanghai, with its mix of modern skyscrapers and historical sites, remains the top destination for European visitors. Other popular spots include Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Emerging destinations like Sanya, a beach resort city in Hainan Province, and Chengdu, known for its giant pandas, are also gaining popularity.

China’s visa-free scheme and investment in tourism infrastructure reflect its ambition to position itself as a top travel destination for Europeans and beyond.