Citizens of all 27 European Union member states must complete India’s e-Arrival Card before every trip to India in 2026. The digital form became mandatory on April 1, 2026, replacing paper disembarkation cards at all Indian airports. EU travelers need the e-Arrival Card regardless of nationality – whether German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, or any other EU country. The form is free and takes under 10 minutes to complete online.
Do EU Citizens Need the India e-Arrival Card?
Yes – citizens of all European Union member states are required to complete the India e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing in India. The Indian Bureau of Immigration (BoI) implemented this as a mandatory requirement from April 1, 2026, applicable to all foreign passport holders worldwide.
There are no exemptions within the EU. The requirement applies equally to:
- Citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and all 27 EU member states
- EU citizens holding OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards
- EU citizens on any visa type – tourist, business, student, employment
- EU permanent residents or dual citizens traveling on an EU passport
Only Indian citizens traveling on Indian passports are exempt from the e-Arrival Card. Review our full who needs the e-Arrival Card guide for all exemption details.
Which EU Countries Are Affected?
All 27 European Union member states are affected. This includes:
- Western Europe: Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Austria
- Southern Europe: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Cyprus
- Northern Europe: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Central Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia
- Other EU members: Romania, Bulgaria
Note: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and the UK are not EU members – their citizens are also required to complete the e-Arrival Card but are covered under separate country-specific guidance. The UK has its own guide on our UK citizens e-Arrival Card page.
Indian Visa Requirements for EU Citizens in 2026
EU citizens need both a valid Indian visa AND a completed e-Arrival Card to enter India. These are two separate, independent requirements:
| Document | Purpose | Cost | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Visa / eVisa | Permission to enter India | From USD 25 (eVisa tourist) | indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa |
| e-Arrival Card | Digital arrival declaration | Free | indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival |
All EU citizens are eligible for India’s electronic visa (e-Visa). The tourist e-Visa allows stays of up to 90 days per entry and is valid for 1 year with multiple entries. Business and medical e-Visas are also available. The e-Arrival Card is a completely separate form submitted independently – see our detailed e-Arrival Card vs eVisa comparison.
How EU Citizens Apply for the India e-Arrival Card
The application process is identical for all EU nationalities. Use one of the official government channels:
- Official website: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival – available in English, works on any device
- Su-Swagatam mobile app – available on Android and iOS. See our Su-Swagatam app guide for a full walkthrough
Steps for EU travelers:
- Open the official portal within 72 hours before your scheduled India arrival
- Enter your EU passport number and select your nationality (e.g., German, French, Italian)
- Provide personal details: full name as printed in passport, date of birth, gender
- Enter flight details: airline, flight number, arrival date, and destination airport in India
- Provide your address in India: hotel name and address, or a contact person’s address
- Complete the health declaration section
- Submit the form – no payment required
- Receive and save your QR code (sent by email)
The QR code must be shown to immigration officers at your Indian arrival airport. Save it offline on your phone before boarding. The full application is detailed in our step-by-step how to apply guide.
Key Information for German, French, Italian, and Dutch Travelers
While the e-Arrival Card process is the same for all EU citizens, here are specific points frequently asked by travelers from Europe’s largest nations:
Germany
German citizens (Deutsche Staatsangehörige) must complete the e-Arrival Card in English using the Latin-script version of their name as printed in their German passport (Reisepass). The Reisepass must be valid for the duration of the Indian stay. Germany is among the top 5 source countries for European travelers to India.
France
French citizens should enter their name exactly as printed in their French passport (passeport biométrique). The address in India can be the name of a hotel in any major Indian city. Travelers arriving via Paris CDG on Air France or other carriers should submit the form before the final connecting flight to India.
Italy
Italian citizens must use the name format from their Italian passport (passaporto). Common confusion arises with middle names – enter the full name string as printed, not as written on other documents.
Netherlands
Dutch citizens (Nederlandse burgers) traveling to India frequently visit during the October-March tourist season. Submit the e-Arrival Card within the 72-hour window before the India arrival leg, not before departure from Amsterdam.
ETIAS and India e-Arrival Card: Are They Related?
No – ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) and India’s e-Arrival Card are completely separate and unrelated systems. ETIAS is a future EU requirement for non-EU visitors coming to Europe, expected to launch in mid-2026. It does not affect EU citizens and has nothing to do with travel to India. EU citizens traveling to India only need to consider the India e-Arrival Card (and their Indian visa).
Frequently Asked Questions – e-Arrival Card for EU Citizens
Who needs the India e-Arrival Card from the EU?
All citizens of the 27 European Union member states must complete the India e-Arrival Card before every arrival in India. The requirement has been mandatory since April 1, 2026. There are no EU-specific exemptions – all EU nationalities are treated the same as other foreign nationals.
How do EU citizens download their India e-Arrival Card?
After completing the form at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app, you receive a QR code by email. Download and save this QR code to your phone or print it. This QR code is your e-Arrival Card – there is no separate “download” of a PDF card. See our QR code guide for details.
Which EU country is visa-free for India?
No EU country currently has visa-free access to India. All EU citizens require an Indian visa or eVisa to enter India. The Indian e-Visa is available online for citizens of all EU member states at approximately USD 25 for a tourist visa (valid 1 year, multiple entry, 90 days per stay). The e-Visa is separate from the free e-Arrival Card.
How much is an Indian visa for EU citizens?
The Indian tourist e-Visa costs approximately USD 25 for citizens of most EU countries. Business e-Visa costs approximately USD 80. Medical e-Visa is approximately USD 25. These fees may change – always check the current rates on indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. The e-Arrival Card itself is always free, separate from the visa.
Do German citizens need a visa to enter India?
Yes – German citizens need an Indian visa or e-Visa to enter India. The tourist e-Visa is the easiest option: apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa, receive approval within 72 hours, and use it for up to 90 days per visit. German travelers must also complete the separate free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing.
Can I complete the e-Arrival Card in German, French, or another EU language?
No – the India e-Arrival Card portal is currently only available in English. EU travelers must complete the form in English using the Latin-script name as printed in their EU passport. The form itself is straightforward and does not require advanced English proficiency.
Is ETIAS related to the India e-Arrival Card?
No. ETIAS is a future EU-controlled requirement for non-EU visitors coming TO Europe – it is unrelated to travel to India. EU citizens are not affected by ETIAS (it applies to visitors entering Europe). The India e-Arrival Card is an India government requirement for arriving in India. The two systems are completely independent.
