China’s list of countries eligible for visa-free entry continues to expand, with the recent addition of five more European nations. Citizens of Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Slovakia are now able to travel to China without the need for a visa. This new policy will come into effect on November 8, 2024, and will remain valid until December 31, 2025. Tourists from these countries, along with travelers from South Korea, will enjoy this privilege as part of China’s ongoing efforts to boost tourism and international exchanges.
This announcement follows the earlier inclusion of Norway in September, along with Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia in October. With this latest update, the total number of European countries granted visa-free access to China has risen to 24.
In July, China also opened its borders to tourists from Poland, Australia, and New Zealand, allowing them unrestricted entry until the end of 2025. Since the start of 2024, these initiatives have been rolled out in phases, with several European nations and Malaysia now enjoying similar visa-free access. The overarching goal of this initiative is to encourage a greater influx of visitors to China for both business and leisure, fostering deeper connections between Chinese citizens and foreign nationals.
The comprehensive list of European countries now eligible for visa-free entry includes:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
Travelers from these countries will be permitted to enter China for short stays without a visa until the end of next year. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, this initiative is aimed at “facilitating the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world.” Visa-free entry will be permissible for a duration of up to 15 days as part of this trial program.
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China’s International Travel Landscape
China’s international travel landscape is gradually recovering as the country rebounds from the strict pandemic measures that previously discouraged foreign visitors. These measures included mandatory quarantines for all arrivals, which were lifted early last year. Despite the easing of restrictions, international travel has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Previously, China allowed visa-free entry for citizens of Brunei, Japan, and Singapore, but this policy was suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak. While visa-free entry for Brunei and Singapore has resumed as of July, the same privilege has yet to be reinstated for Japan.
In 2023, China recorded approximately 35.5 million entries and exits by foreigners, a significant drop compared to 97.7 million in 2019, the last year before the pandemic. The Chinese government has been actively seeking foreign investment to revitalize its sluggish economy, with notable business figures such as Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook visiting for trade fairs and meetings. However, foreign tourists remain a relatively rare sight compared to pre-pandemic times.
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Enhancing Travel Experience for Europeans
Last year, there was a remarkable surge in interest among Europeans in visiting China as a tourist destination. Data from the online travel agency Trip.com revealed a staggering 663% increase in overall bookings from Europe to China compared to 2022, alongside an almost 29% rise compared to 2019. The United Kingdom and Germany ranked among the top 10 sources of inbound travelers to China globally, as reported by the data.
Shanghai continues to be the most popular destination for European travelers, renowned for its captivating blend of modernity and tradition. Other favored locations include Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Emerging destinations like Sanya, a coastal city on the southern tip of Hainan Island, and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, are also gaining popularity.
In addition to the new visa-free policies, China is actively promoting inbound tourism by highlighting its rich cultural and historical attractions in collaboration with Trip.com. The country is also investing in tourism infrastructure, enhancing technology, travel guides, and e-payment systems to create a more convenient travel experience for international visitors.
