Helpful resources 

• Embassy of Germany in the United States
• U.S. Travelers in Europe’s Schengen Area
• Schengen Area Visa Information
• Dual Nationality
• Prevention of International Child Abduction
• Customs Regulations

Traveling through Europe 
If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your period of stay if you plan on transiting a Schengen country. Please review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.  
• We recommend you have at least 6 month’s validity remaining.  
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket.  
• For more information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.  
• Visit the Embassy of Germany for the most current visa information. 

Prescription medications
If traveling with prescription medications, review all requirements related to pharmaceuticals to avoid potential fines and confiscation.  

HIV/AIDS restrictions
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Germany. 

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. 

Prospective residents or anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa. Visit the Embassy of Austria’s website for current visa information or the Government of Austria’s website on migration. Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants.

• Students and prospective students should visit the Study in Austria webpage for current information on student visa requirements. Fulbright students and scholars with questions should contact their respective program officer.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay if you plan on transiting a Schengen country review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.
• You may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Austria.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Hungary is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows for free movement between certain European countries. U.S. citizens may enter Hungary for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. If you plan to stay longer, please visit the Embassy of Hungary for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Please review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket.
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Hungary.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Visit the Embassy of the Czech Republic’s website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the arrival date into Schengen, to avoid difficulties entering and traveling within the Schengen zone. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket.
• The Czech Republic (official short name: Czechia) is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.
• You may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for tourist, business, study, and most other purposes (except work) without a visa. This is counted along with presence in all Schengen countries for up to 90 days out of any 180-day period.
• You will need a visa for stays over 90 days or to work for any period of time in the Czech Republic. When a visa is required, submit your application to the nearest Czech diplomatic mission at least 3-4 months in advance of traveling to the Czech Republic. The U.S. Embassy cannot help expedite foreign visa applications. For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.
• The Czech Government requires travelers to be able to show proof, upon request, of sufficient finances to cover the cost of a traveler’s stay.
• You must also carry proof of a valid medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment while in the Czech Republic.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Czech Republic.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Visit the Embassy of the Slovak Republic website for the most current visa information and CDC Travel Destination page for immunization information.

Slovakia is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Slovakia for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least six months upon arrival in the Schengen. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.   
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

Carry proof of sufficient funds (such as a credit card) and make sure your medical insurance policy covers all costs if in need of hospitalization and medical treatment in Slovakia.

• Upon arrival in Slovakia, you must register with the local Border and Alien Police within three working days if you are staying in a private home. Hotels and official accommodation providers will register you automatically.
• If you want to reside in Slovakia or stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a temporary residency and/or work permit. You should complete the application process through the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C. prior to arriving in the country. If you decide to stay longer at the time of our arrival in Slovakia, you should begin the process upon arrival as the process normally takes longer than the 90 days allowed visa free. Read the requirements on the U.S. Embassy website and prepare your application before traveling. Many required documents, such as an FBI clearance, are easier to obtain in the United States. To follow up on the status of a request, please contact the FBI directly at identity@jc.fbi.gov.
• Slovak authorities strictly enforce residency laws. Foreigners who stay beyond 90 days without a residency permit may be ordered to depart, or may even be deported with a possible ban on re-entry to the entire Schengen area.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Slovakia. A medical examination, including an HIV/AIDS test, is required to obtain a Slovakian residency permit.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Military/Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Travelers: While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Slovakia under the (SOFA) with proper Department of Defense (DOD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors must have valid passports. Active-duty military personnel are encouraged to obtain a tourist passport before leaving the United States to accommodate off-duty travel. DOD travelers should consult with their unit for clearance before leaving the United States.

• U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Slovenia, but do not require a visa for tourist or routine business travel of less than 90 days. Note: The 90 day visa-free time-frame starts as soon as you enter the Schengen Zone – an area made up of a number of European countries including Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Italy, among others. Travelers can stay up to a cumulative 90 days within the period of the immediately preceding 180 days. That means if a traveler stays for 90 days, they will need to be outside of the Schengen zone for 180 days to reset the clock. Remaining in Slovenia or the Schengen Area beyond 90 days without a residency permit may incur large fines, deportation, criminal charges, and/or travel restrictions.
• If you wish to stay in Slovenia for longer than 90 days, you will require a long stay “D” visa or a residence permit. Applying for residency is time consuming. U.S. citizens must submit an FBI criminal records certificate less than three months old apostilled by the Department of State as part of the residency application.
• Foreigners must carry official identification at all times (U.S. passport or a Slovenian residence card).
• You must obtain a stamp in your passport upon entering the Schengen Area and show it when departing.
• Non-EU citizens staying longer than three days must register with the police within 72 hours of arrival. Hotels and apartments or houses rented through a company will register you. In all other cases, you must register yourself at a police station. Failure to register can result in hefty fines.

Visit the Embassy of Slovenia website for current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement.

• Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket.
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Slovenia.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

You need a valid U.S. passport to enter Croatia. EU regulations require that U.S. passport holders have no less than three months’ validity when they depart Croatia. U.S. passport holders with less than three months may be denied entry. The U.S. Embassy strongly suggests that you have at least six months of validity to avoid problems when you travel.

Croatia is a member of the Schengen area. Land border controls between Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary and the sea border with Italy ceased in 2023. The land borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro continue to have police and customs checks in place, as these countries are outside of the Schengen area. Airport controls for flights between Croatia and other countries within the Schengen area ceased in 2023. Visit the Embassy of Croatia website for the most current visa information.

• U.S. passport holders do not need a visa if they are traveling to Croatia for tourism or business for less than 90 days within a 180-day period.
• For entry, residence, and work requirements in Croatia, please visit the Croatian Ministry of Interior’s website. The U.S. Embassy is not able to intervene in the issuance of a Croatian residence permit.
• You must register at a local police station within three days of arrival in Croatia. If you are staying at a hotel, hostel, or vacation rental, you will be registered by the property owner.
• Foreign documents submitted for residence in Croatia must be translated into Croatian and have an apostille stamp. The U.S. Embassy cannot authenticate documents. For information on applying for apostille and authentication services, please see the Department of State’s Office of Authentications website.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, Croatia.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Military/Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Travelers: While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Croatia under the SOFA with proper Department of Defense (DOD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors must have valid passports. Active-duty military personnel should obtain a tourist passport before leaving the United States to accommodate off-duty travel. DOD travelers should consult with their unit for clearance before leaving the United States

Visit Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the most current visa information.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months past your planned date of departure.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will deny entry to U.S. passport holders who attempt to enter on expired U.S. passports or U.S. passports which were previously reported as lost or stolen.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days total within a period of six months from the date of first entry. After your 90-day stay, you must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Airlines may deny boarding to travelers on a one-way ticket or a ticket with a return date beyond three months from the date of arrival. Verify with the airline before travel.

If staying in a private residence for three or more days, you or your host must register your stay with the local police or field office of the Department for Foreigners within 48 hours of arrival.

Temporary Residence Permits:

U.S. citizens staying more than 90 days must apply for a temporary residence permit from the local field office of the Department for Foreigners of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Security. The process is complex. Visit the Department for Foreigners of the Ministry of Security website for detailed information and requirements.

Collect the required documentation well in advance. Submit the application as soon as possible, after arriving in-country. You must submit your temporary residence permit application at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day visa-free period of stay.

You should submit an FBI background check or a police report from your local, U.S. police department attesting you have no criminal record. The document you submit must be an original with the signature and seal of the U.S. official and certified by an apostille. This must be issued within six months of the application.

After all application requirements are met, a months-long delay can occur before a residence permit is issued. U.S. citizens who submit complete applications may remain in the country while awaiting decisions.

The maximum duration of a temporary residence permit is 12 months (renewals are possible).

Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months after the end of the requested temporary residence permit period.

Requirements for minors traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Notarized permission from the parents or guardians is required for minors under 14 traveling alone.
• If the child is accompanied by one parent, particularly if the parent has a different last name from the child’s, it is recommended, although not legally required, that the accompanying parent carry a notarized letter from the other parent giving permission to travel.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites