Important Information for Citizens of the 26 EU Member States Entering the Country

I. Documents and Visas (Latest Policy for EU Citizens in 2026)
1. Passport Requirements
Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure from China
Blank Pages: At least 2 consecutive blank visa pages
Condition: Must be undamaged, unaltered, and free of severe water stains; must be a regular passport (temporary or emergency passports are not eligible for visa-free entry) Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago
2. Visa-Free Policy for EU Citizens (February 17–December 31, 2026)
30-Day Visa-Free Entry: Holders of ordinary passports from all EU member states traveling for tourism, business, family visits, or transit, with a single stay of ≤30 days, do not need to apply for a visa in advance. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago.
Applicable: Ordinary passports; purpose of entry is tourism, business, family visit, or transit; stay ≤ 30 days. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago.
Visa-Exemption Exclusions: Work, study, media interviews, or stays exceeding 30 days; corresponding visas must be applied for in advance (e.g., L tourist visa, M business visa). Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago.
240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption: Applicable for connecting flights; generally not applicable for round-trip travel to EU countries for tourism purposes only.
3. Recommended Items to Carry (for Inspection)
Round-trip flight tickets, hotel reservations, itinerary (random checks may still occur even with visa exemption)
Contact information for contacts in China / travel agency (name, phone number, address)
Passport copy + backup on mobile phone or in the cloud
II. Border Inspection Process
Boarding / Onboard: Obtain the “Foreign National Entry Card,” or complete an electronic declaration in advance using the “China Border Inspection Declaration” mini-program
Key Point: The address in China (residence or hotel) must be provided in full detail (including the exact street name and house number)
Border Inspection Counter: Present your passport + Entry Card; travelers aged 14–70 must provide fingerprints and have their photo taken on-site
Common Questions (Answer truthfully)
Purpose: Tourism
Stay: X days (≤30)
Accommodation: Hotel name + city
Itinerary: Cities (e.g., Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai)
III. Customs Declaration and Prohibited/Restricted Items (Frequently Asked by EU Clients)
1. Must be declared (use the red channel)
Cash: Equivalent to over 5,000 USD (RMB / foreign currency)
Valuables: Cameras, computers, and jewelry with a unit price exceeding 5,000 RMB
Medications: Prescription drugs must be accompanied by an English prescription and original packaging; psychotropic and narcotic drugs are strictly prohibited (GACC)
Animals and Plants: Fresh fruits, meat, seeds, soil, and biological specimens are strictly prohibited from entering the country (EU customers often bring fresh produce or cheese; this requires special attention) (GACC)
Tobacco and Alcohol: 2 cartons of cigarettes + 1.5 liters of alcohol (excess amounts must be declared and taxed)
2. Strictly Prohibited Items
Firearms, ammunition, controlled knives, flammable and explosive materials (GACC)
Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and anesthetics (GACC)
Pornographic, violent, or subversive publications / audio-visual materials / digital content (GACC)
Cultural relics (without a Chinese export permit), endangered flora and fauna and their products (GACC)
Fresh/chilled meat (beef, pork, poultry, etc.), uninspected animal and plant products, dairy products (cheese, butter, etc.) Xiamen Customs of the People’s Republic of China
IV. Stay in China and Compliance Reminders
Duration of Stay: Visa-free stay strictly limited to 30 days (calculated from the day after entry); overstaying = illegal residence, resulting in fines and potential impact on future entry.
Accommodation Registration: Handled by the hotel; if staying with relatives or friends, register at the local police station within 24 hours
Internet and Communications
Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp cannot be accessed directly; it is recommended to prepare a VPN in advance or use Chinese apps (WeChat, Alipay, Baidu Maps)
Purchase a Chinese SIM card (4G/5G) at the airport or in the city using your passport.
Payment: RMB cash + Visa/Mastercard + Alipay / WeChat Pay (foreign cards can be linked).
Special Areas: Tibet, parts of Xinjiang, and border ports require a Border Pass or Letter of Entry to Tibet; travel agencies can assist with these.
V. Common Reasons for Entry Denial or Delays (Frequent for EU Clients)
Passport validity of less than 6 months or insufficient blank pages
Previous overstay, illegal residence, or unauthorized employment in China
Carrying prohibited items (fresh meat, dairy products, drugs, pornographic materials)
Inaccurate information on the entry card or contradictory answers during border inspection
Lack of a reasonable itinerary or hotel reservation (random visa-free entry checks)