European Agreement on the abolition of visas for refugees

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party	Reservations / Declarations	Objections
Denmark	Yes	No
Finland	Yes	No
France	Yes	No
Hungary	Yes	No
Ireland	Yes	No
Liechtenstein	Yes	No
Malta	Yes	No
Norway	Yes	No
Poland	Yes	No
Portugal	Yes	No
Slovakia	Yes	No
Sweden	Yes	No
Switzerland	Yes	No
United Kingdom	Yes	No

Denmark

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

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

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".

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.