Travel to Europe - Visa for Zambian citizens

Do you need a visa to travel to Europe?

Yes. Zambian passport holders must apply for a visa before travelling to Europe.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel to 29 European countries (the Schengen Area) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It covers tourism, family visits, business trips, and cultural or sports events.

Which countries are in the Schengen Area as of 2025?

As of 1 January 2025, the Schengen Area includes 29 countries:

• 25 EU Member States
• 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein 

EU Member States in Schengen now include (as of 2025):
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, plus Bulgaria and Romania, which completed joining on 1 January 2025

Which EU countries are not in Schengen?

As of 2025, the following EU countries are not part of the Schengen Area:

• Cyprus
• Ireland 

What is the difference between a Schengen country and a non-Schengen EU country?

Schengen countries share a common visa policy. A single Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) allows you to visit 25 EU/Schengen countries + 4 associated states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Non-Schengen EU countries (Ireland and Cyprus) have their own national visa policies. A Schengen visa does not allow entry there; you must apply separately.

United Kingdom is no longer in the EU or Schengen, so it has its own visa system.

What are the main types of Schengen visas?

There are three main types:

• Type A (Airport Transit Visa): For transiting through an airport in a Schengen country without entering the Schengen Area.
• Type C (Short-Stay Visa): For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days (tourism, family visit, business, cultural events).
• Type D (National Long-Stay Visa): For stays longer than 90 days, such as study, work, or residence.

What are the steps to get a visa?

1. Book an appointment at the embassy or visa centre.
2. Fill in the visa application form and gather all documents.
3. Attend the appointment, submit documents, pay the fee, and give fingerprints/biometric data.
4. Wait for processing – usually 15 calendar days (sometimes longer if documents are incomplete or further checks are needed).
5. Collect your passport with the visa decision.

Where should I apply?

Some European countries have direct consular representation in Lusaka, while others have representation agreements with other countries or rely on service providers (such as VFS Global).

For a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C), you must apply to the embassy, consulate, or visa centre of the country that is your main destination (where you plan to spend the most days). If there is no clear main destination, apply through the country of your first entry into the Schengen Area.

For a long-stay national visa (Type D), apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will primarily reside. If your residence is split between multiple countries, submit your application to the country where you will spend the most time.

• Austria (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Germany, Lusaka. 📍 Plot 5219 Haile Selassie Ave, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250644 | 🌐 lusaka.diplo.de

  Long-stay: Austrian Embassy Nairobi.📍 Off Limuru Road, Opposite Muthaiga Mini Market, Nairobi | ☎️ +254 20 406 00 22-23-24 | 🌐 austrian-embassy-nairobi

• Belgium (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Belgium, Dar es Salaam.📍 Mirambo St, Dar es Salaam | ☎️ +255 22 2113132 | 🌐 tanzania.diplomatie.belgium.be

• Bulgaria (EU, Schengen since 2025)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Bulgaria, Pretoria.📍 1071 Stanza Bopape St, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 3423720 | 🌐 mfa.bg

• Croatia (EU, Schengen since 2023)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of Croatia, Pretoria.📍 11160 Stanza Bopape St, Colbyn, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 3421206 | 🌐 za.mvep.hr

• Cyprus (EU, not Schengen)

  Short-stay: Honorary Consul of Cyprus, Lusaka.📍 25b Sable Rd, Kabulonga, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 262931 | 📧 karavas@zamnet.zm

  Long-stay: 

• Czech Republic (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of the Czech Republic, Lusaka.📍 4 Twin Palm Rd, Kabulonga, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 269878 | 🌐 mzv.gov.cz/lusaka

• Denmark (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Denmark, Pretoria. 📍 1 Herbert Baker St, Groenkloof, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 4309340 | 🌐 sydafrika.um.dk

• Estonia (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Estonia in Egypt.📍 8th Floor, Abou El Feda Building Abou El Feda 3, Zemalek, Cairo, Egypt | 🌐 cairo.mfa.ee/ 

• Finland (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Finland, Lusaka.📍 Haile Selassie Avenue opposite Ndeke House Longacres | ☎️ +260 211 251 988| 🌐 finlandabroad.fi/zmb 

• France (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Process managed by 🌐 fr-zm.capago.eu. ☎️ +27 12 4251600 | 🌐 france-visas.gouv.fr/en/zambie

• Germany (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of Germany, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5219 Haile Selassie Ave, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250644 | 🌐 lusaka.diplo.de

• Greece (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Italy, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5211 Embassy Park, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250781 | 🌐 amblusaka.esteri.it

  Long-stay: Embassy of Greece, Harare.📍 8 Deary Avenue , Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe | ☎️ +263 242 793208, 764417, 764418 | 🌐  mfa.gr/missionsabroad 

• Hungary (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Germany, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5219 Haile Selassie Ave, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250644 | 🌐 lusaka.diplo.de

  Long-stay: Embassy of Hungary, Pretoria.📍 1057 Francis Baard St, Hatfield, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 4303030 | 🌐 pretoria.mfa.gov.hu

• Iceland (Schengen, not EU)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: 

• Ireland (EU, not Schengen)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of Ireland, Lusaka.📍 6663 Katima Mulilo Rd, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 950 426 248 | 🌐 ireland.ie/visas-for-ireland/ 

• Italy (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of Italy, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5211 Embassy Park, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250781 | 🌐 amblusaka.esteri.it

• Latvia (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of the Latvia in Egypt. 📍 8th Floor, Abou El Feda Building Abou El Feda 3, Zemalek, Cairo, Egypt | 🌐 mfa.gov.lv/en/egypt 

• Liechtenstein (Schengen, not EU)

  Short-stay and long-stay: Embassy of Switzerland, Dar es Salaam. 📍 Kinondoni Rd, Plot 79, Dar es Salaam | ☎️ +255 22 2666008 | 🌐 eda.admin.ch

• Lithuania (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐  vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Lithuania, Pretoria.📍 235 Grosvenor St, Hatfield, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 7609000 | 🌐 za.mfa.lt

• Luxembourg (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐  vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Luxembourg in Addis Ababa. 📍 Cape verde Street P.O. Box 12813, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 🌐 addisababa.mae.lu 

• Malta (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Italy, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5211 Embassy Park, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250781 | 🌐 amblusaka.esteri.it

• Netherlands (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of the Netherlands in Harare. 📍 2 Arden Road Newlands, Harare, Zimbabwe | 🌐 embassies-consulates-general/malawi/embassy-harare  

• Norway (Schengen, not EU)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Norway, Pretoria.📍 1 Stella St, Sandton, Johannesburg | ☎️ +27 11 7780500 | 🌐 norway.no

• Poland (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Poland, Pretoria.📍 14 Amos St, Colbyn, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 83 449 3489 | 🌐 gov.pl/southafrica

• Portugal (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka.📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Portugal, Pretoria.📍 599 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 346 4285 | 🌐 pretoria.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt

• Romania (EU, Schengen since 2025)

  Short-stay:

  Long-stay:

• Slovakia (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Italy, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5211 Embassy Park, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250781 | 🌐 amblusaka.esteri.it

  Long-stay: Embassy of Slovakia, Pretoria.📍 930 Arcadia St, Arcadia, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 3422051 | 🌐 mzv.sk

• Slovenia (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: Embassy of Germany, Lusaka.📍 Plot 5219 Haile Selassie Ave, Lusaka | ☎️ +260 211 250644 | 🌐 lusaka.diplo.de

  Long-stay: Embassy of Slovenia in Egypt. 📍21 Soliman Abaza Street
  12311 Mohandessin, Cairo, Egypt  | 🌐 gov.si/en/representations/embassy-cairo/ 

• Spain (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka
  📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Spain, Harare
  📍 16 Phillips Ave. Belgravia, Harare | ☎️ +263 (0) 242 250 740/1 | 🌐 exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/harare 

• Sweden (EU, Schengen)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka
  📍 4th Floor, Goldman Insurance House, Plot 58, Stand 2374, Great East Road, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Sweden, Pretoria / Nairobi
  📍 121 Park St, Hatfield, Pretoria | ☎️ +27 12 4266400 | 🌐 swedenabroad.se

• Switzerland (Schengen, not EU)

  Short-stay: VFS Global, Lusaka
  📍 Alick Nkhata Rd, Lusaka | 🌐 vfsglobal.se/zambia

  Long-stay: Embassy of Switzerland, Dar es Salaam
  📍 Kinondoni Rd, Plot 79, Dar es Salaam | ☎️ +255 22 2666008 | 🌐 eda.admin.ch

• United Kingdom (non-EU, nonSchengen) 

The United Kingdom is no longer in the EU or Schengen and has its own visa system.