Travellers exempted from the Schengen visa requirement

Are exempted from the visa requirement to enter or transit in the Schengen area:

the nationals of European Economic Area: the EEA includes the 25 Member States of the European Union (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

the nationals of the following countries:

Hong Kong: the visa exemption applies only to holders of a "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport".
Macao: the visa exemption applies only to holders of a "Região Administrativa Especial de Macau passport".
British Nationals Overseas are exempted from the Schengen Visa Requirement.

Holders of a residence permit

Holders of a valid residence permit in one the Schengen States do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area.

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports are not subject to a unified regime. Depending on their country of origin and the type of passport they hold, they will or will not be visa exempt. A schedule of visa exemptions has been laid down by each Schengen State. In addition, from 1 November 2006, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands exempt holders of Indonesian diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements. In general, holders of diplomatic, official or service passports, when subject to the visa requirement, do not have to show proof of funds when travelling in their professional capacity.

Local Border Traffic

Third country nationals holding a "local border traffic permit" when exercising their rights within the context of the Local Border Traffic regime, are Schengen visa exempt.