Is there passport control within Europe?

The Schengen area comprises 27 European countries. There is normally no passport control on the borders between these countries. If you have a valid visa or residence permit in one of these countries, you can also visit the other Schengen countries.



Within the Schengen Area, which covers most of mainland Europe, there is typically no permanent passport control at internal land, sea, or air borders. However, it is a common misconception that you don't need a passport at all; you are still required to carry a valid ID (and a passport for non-EU citizens) as "spot checks" can be performed by local police or during temporary border reinstatements for national security. As of 2026, several countries like Germany, France, and Italy have periodically extended temporary internal border checks due to migration and security concerns. Furthermore, if you are traveling between a Schengen country and a non-Schengen country (like the UK or Ireland), you will still have to pass through full passport control and the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks.

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Schengen – ID-free travel zone It allows EU nationals and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without border checks. Since 1985, it's kept growing, and now covers almost all EU countries and a few non-EU countries (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland).

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Both France and Italy are part of the Schengen Zone - as long as you are flying between these, you will not go through passport control. You will go through passport control when arriving in Paris, and again when leaving Paris and exiting the Schengen Zone.

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Passport checks used to be carried on the international Eurostar train, but all formalities are now carried out before boarding. At some border crossings, the train stops twice. First on one side of the border for checks and then on the other side for a second set of checks.

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And since Spanish authorities do not recognize foreign documents besides the passport, your passport is your best bet. Do you have to carry an ID in Spain? Yes; the Spanish law officers are well within their rights to detain and fine you for contravening the law.

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Singapore has taken first place on the latest Henley Passport Index 2023 rankings. Singaporeans enjoy visa-free access to 192 travel destinations out of 227 worldwide. With Japan falling to third place, three European countries tie in second place: Germany, Italy and Spain with visa-free access to 190 destinations.

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There is normally no passport control on the borders between these countries. If you have a valid visa or residence permit in one of these countries, you can also visit the other Schengen countries.

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Renfe-SNCF security checks If you're European, your identity card is sufficient. If you're a non-European citizen, you'll need to travel with your passport. Baggage checks are carried out at all Spanish stations before boarding the train.

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Passage through Customs is mandatory for all Portuguese or foreign travellers entering or leaving the country transporting money or goods. However, up to certain limits permitted by law, citizens are not required to declare the goods they are carrying with them.

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The system will register the traveller's name, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit. Facial scans and fingerprint data will be retained for three years after each trip.

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