China entry in 2026 for EU passports

Many EU nationals currently benefit from visa-free access windows, but never assume by region alone. Confirm your exact passport nationality in the latest official notice before booking: visa-free FAQ.

If you cannot confirm your nationality clearly in an official source, switch to a conservative plan using transit qualification checks or regular visa filing.

The current official summary indicates eligible ordinary passport holders may enter visa-free up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friend visits, exchange, and transit.

Carry evidence that matches your purpose and travel sequence. Airline and border checks still expect coherent proof even when no visa sticker is required.

If your stay exceeds policy limits, your purpose falls outside listed categories, or eligibility is unclear, choose 240-hour transit only if all requirements are met or apply for a regular visa.

Use official transit policy pages for latest route boundaries: NIA policy notice.

If visa-free and transit do not fit your trip, file a regular visa through the official online channel and your local mission procedures: COVA portal.

Do not wait until the final week. Build schedule buffer for document corrections and jurisdiction-specific requirements.

NIA permits online arrival-card submission and also allows on-site electronic or paper completion: arrival-card notice.

For accommodation registration, hotel stays are usually processed directly, while private stays generally require local registration within 24 hours: Article 39 guidance.

Visa-free policy summary (Chinese Embassy in the U.S.): source.

MFA briefing on additional visa-free expansion: source.

NIA policy and operational entry guidance: source.