Can a Schengen Area border be crossed using an emergency passport? Do diplomatic passport holders enjoy special privileges? What are the Schengen visa requirements for seafarers? Find out about travelling to Europe with non-ordinary passports and special travel documents and whether they can be used to apply for ETIAS from 2026 .
Travellers from outside the European Union need a valid travel document to cross an external border. Depending on the country of origin and length of stay, a visa may also be required.
Most foreigners apply for a Schengen visa, or enter the Schengen Area visa-free, using an ordinary passport. An ordinary passport is the most common type issued to individual citizens.
However, there are several other types of passport and travel documents in existence. This article explains which kinds can be used to enter the Schengen Area and which are not recognised.
From 2026 , travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area. The information below also examines which documents can be used to obtain the new EU visa waiver.
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS
A diplomatic passport is a special passport issued to diplomats of a country and their immediate family for official international travel.
Diplomatic passport holders enjoy certain privileges such as being able to use diplomatic channels at the airports to avoid delays, diplomatic immunity and reduced immigration requirements.
DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE WITH A DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT?
A diplomatic passport can be used to travel to Europe for official purposes only. There is no singular EU policy on diplomatic passports. In addition to normal visa exemptions, individual member states may grant visa waivers to diplomats who would normally require a visa.
It is essential that diplomatic passport holders check the specific visa requirements of the European nation they are visiting.
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS AND ETIAS FOR EUROPE
Article 2 of the ETIAS regulation states that the European visa waiver does not apply to “third-country nationals holding diplomatic or service passports who have been exempted from the visa requirement pursuant to an international agreement concluded by the Union and a third country”.
This means that diplomatic passport holders who are not required to obtain a visa for Europe will not need to apply for ETIAS when entering the Schengen Area to conduct official duties.
Diplomats visiting Europe for tourism and non-official purposes, however, should meet the ETIAS requirements and apply using an ordinary passport.
SEAFARERS’ IDENTITY DOCUMENT
The Seafarer’s Identity Document, also known informally as a Seaman’s Book or Seaman’s Card, is a special document issued to sea crew members.
An International Labour Organisation Convention in 1958 guaranteed the rights of seafarers to enter a country temporarily for shore leave.
Sea crew on vessels spending many months out at sea rely on shore leave to access port facilities and receive medical treatment. Seafarers may also need to go ashore to leave and join ships.
SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR SEAMEN
The seaman’s book allows sea crew to enter many countries without a visa when on duty. Individual EU countries may decide to waiver visa requirements for individuals who have a seafarer’s identity document in addition to their valid passport, according to article 6 of the European Union’s 2018/1806 Regulation.
Some member states will endorse a seafarer’s book with a visa for longer stays. This depends on the nationality of the seafarer and the receiving EU country. In some cases, the seaman’s book must be used together with an ordinary passport to which the visa is attached.
As there is no uniform policy, sea crew must confirm whether they should apply for a Schengen visa to go ashore in the EU country they will be calling at.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SEAMAN’S BOOK
Seafarers can apply for a seaman’s card through the government in their home country. Whilst procedures differ, it usually involves completing an application form and official documents.
To take advantage of visa exemption for seafarers, the seaman’s card must be valid. Crew whose identification is about to expire need to renew the document before they can go ashore in a European country.
APPLYING FOR ETIAS WITH A SEAFARER’S IDENTITY CARD
International law requires that sea crew are subject to limited entry requirements. Nations must facilitate maritime traffic, which includes the fast transfer of personnel.
It is, therefore, likely that sea crew will be exempt from ETIAS, however, this is yet to be confirmed. Further information will be provided as the ETIAS implementation date approaches.
EMERGENCY PASSPORTS
An emergency passport is issued to individuals whose passport has been lost, stolen, or damaged whilst abroad and who do not have time to obtain a new passport before their flight home.
The emergency passport, also known as a temporary passport, is valid for a very limited time and is intended for emergency travel, in particular returning to the holder’s home country.
CAN I TRAVEL TO EUROPE WITH AN EMERGENCY PASSPORT?
Third-country nationals visiting a country in the European Union need a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date on which they will depart Europe. Emergency passports are not valid for visa-exempt travel.
The validity period of emergency passports differs depending on the issuing country. Many temporary passports are valid for less than 3 months and therefore cannot be used to apply for a Schengen visa.
Emergency passports are designed for one-way travel back to a home country, not for tourism or other purposes. Only direct transit through a Schengen country is possible using an emergency passport to allow foreigners to return home.
Travellers abroad should check with the embassy of their country for guidance based on their specific circumstances before making travel arrangements.
CAN I APPLY FOR ETIAS WITH AN EMERGENCY PASSPORT?
Emergency passports are not valid for visa-free travel in Europe. It is unlikely that an ETIAS visa waiver for tourism or business purposes will be available using a temporary travel document due to the issues outlined above.
Furthermore, since a biometric passport is required to apply for ETIAS, emergency passports may not have the electronic chip required to attach the approved visa waiver to on approval. However, more information will be released once the new online permit to Europe is launched.
OTHER ACCEPTED DOCUMENTS TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE
The following travel documents may entitle the holder to cross an external EU border and be issued a visa.
- Special Administrative Region passports
- Travel documents for stateless persons
- Travel documents for refugees and asylum seekers
- Laissez-passer
- Crew member passports
- Military passports
- Collective passports
As there are no EU-wide rules regarding these documents, holders must check with the embassy or consulate of the nation they wish to enter.
SPECIAL RULES TO APPLY FOR ETIAS WITH SOME PASSPORTS
Not all passports are accepted to apply for ETIAS.
Travellers from the countries, special administrative regions and territories below must check their passport meets the specific requirements to apply for ETIAS.
HONG KONG S.A.R.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports can be used to apply for ETIAS.
Travellers with other types of passports need to get a visa to visit the Schengen Area.
MACAO S.A.R.
Região Administrativa Especial de Macau passports are accepted to apply for ETIAS. Other passport holders need a visa to travel to Europe.
TAIWAN
To apply for ETIAS from Taiwan, the passport must include an identity card number. Travellers whose passport does not include this number must get a visa.
ALBANIA, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, NORTH MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO
Travellers can apply for ETIAS if they have a biometric passport from these countries.
Travellers who hold any other type of passport cannot get ETIAS. They must apply for a visa instead.
GEORGIA, MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE
To travel with ETIAS, citizens of Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine need a biometric passport that meets ICAO standards.
A visa is required to travel to Europe with any other kind of passport.
SERBIA
Travellers with a biometric passport are eligible for ETIAS.
Travellers with other types of passports, or a passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate, cannot apply for ETIAS, a visa is required.
WHICH TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY THE EU?
Expired passports cannot be used to travel to Europe. Most countries require that the passport remains valid for at least 6 months.
In addition, several types of passport or travel documents are not valid to cross an external EU border. These are not recognised as official travel documents and therefore will not be endorsed with a visa.
FANTASY PASSPORTS CANNOT BE USED TO ENTER EUROPE
Fantasy passports are documents issued by minorities, sects, and population groups, or ID provided by private organizations.
These ‘passports’ are not accepted by the EU and will not be endorsed with a visa. Some examples of fantasy passports are:
- ‘Cornish passport’
- ‘Dukedom of New Sealand’
- ‘Free State of California’
- ‘Parliamentary passport’
- ‘World Passport/World Service Authority Passport’
CAMOUFLAGE PASSPORTS ARE NOT RECOGNISED BY EU MEMBER STATES
Camouflage passports are passports of old states that no longer exist. Examples of camouflage passports are:
- Burma/Birma (now Myanmar)
- Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
- Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia)
- Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
- Spanish Guiana (now Equatorial Guinea)
TERRITORIES THAT ARE NOT RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY
There are also 3 territories that are not internationally recognised and therefore travel documents will not be accepted to cross the EU border:
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Saharwei, Arab Democratic Republic
- Temporary Government of Serbia at Kosovo
The European Commission provides a full list of fantasy, camouflage, and non-recognised territories that travellers can consult.
