Vietnam Visa for UK & EU Citizens: 2026 e-Visa Guide
Last updated: July 15, 2026
If you’re checking the vietnam visa for uk and eu citizens before you book flights, the good news for 2026 is that a large share of you won’t need to apply for one at all. British passport holders and nationals of a growing list of EU countries can now enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days; everyone else applies for the straightforward online e-visa. Here’s exactly who’s exempt, who needs to apply, and how to get it right the first time.
Quick answer: UK citizens and nationals of 18 EU (or EU-neighbouring) countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and 12 more added in August 2025 — can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism. If your country isn’t on that list (Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and the three Baltic states, for example), or you’re staying longer than 45 days, you need the official Vietnam e-visa: apply online at evisa.gov.vn, pay US$25 (single entry) or US$50 (multiple entry), and allow 3–5 working days.
- Visa-exempt (UK + 18 EU countries): up to 45 days, free
- Everyone else: e-visa, up to 90 days, US$25 / US$50
- Apply at: the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, only
- Processing time: 3–5 working days
- Passport rule: valid 6+ months from your arrival date, 2 blank pages
In this guide: Exempt or not? · e-Visa steps · Mistakes to avoid · Entry points & photos · FAQs
Vietnam visa for UK and EU citizens: who needs one?
Vietnam’s visa-exemption list has expanded twice recently, so it’s worth checking your passport against the current version rather than an old blog post. British nationals have been on the 45-day exemption since 2023 (renewed for a further three years by Resolution 44/NQ-CP in March 2025), alongside France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Japan, South Korea and Belarus. Then, in August 2025 (Resolution 229/NQ-CP), Vietnam added 12 more European countries to the same 45-day, visa-free arrangement.
| Nationality | Entry option | Max stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa-exempt | 45 days | Free |
| France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland | Visa-exempt | 45 days | Free |
| Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania | Visa-exempt | 45 days | Free |
| Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania — and any nationality staying longer or entering more than once | e-visa required | Up to 90 days | US$25 / US$50 |
Two important catches even if you’re on the exempt list: the 45-day stay is not extendable without leaving and re-entering, and it only covers a single continuous visit — a second trip within the same year still needs a fresh 45-day exemption or an e-visa. Planning your route with Vietnam tours from the UK? Check your dates against the 45-day limit before you book flights.
How to apply for the Vietnam e-visa
If you’re not on the exempt list, or you want the flexibility of a 90-day, multiple-entry stay, the e-visa is simple to do yourself in about 20 minutes.
- Go to the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn — avoid third-party sites that charge a mark-up or ask for extra fees.
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a passport-style digital photo.
- Choose single entry (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50) and select your planned entry date and port.
- Pay online and wait 3–5 working days for approval.
- Download and print the PDF approval letter — bring both a digital and a paper copy.
| e-Visa detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | evisa.gov.vn (official portal only) |
| Cost | US$25 single entry / US$50 multiple entry |
| Processing | 3–5 working days |
| Max stay | 90 days |
Culture note: when you reach the immigration desk, a calm, patient manner and a small smile go a long way — officers are processing a long queue of flights, and having your printed approval letter and landing card ready without being asked is a quiet courtesy that speeds things along for everyone behind you too.
Common Vietnam e-visa mistakes to avoid
- Using a copycat website: only evisa.gov.vn is official — third-party “visa service” sites often charge double for the same form.
- Applying too late: processing is normally 3–5 working days, but apply at least 2–3 weeks before you fly in case of delays.
- Mismatched entry date: your e-visa lists a specific entry window — arriving outside it can mean re-applying at the airport.
- No printed copy: immigration in Vietnam still expects a paper printout of your approval letter, not just a phone screenshot.
- Assuming exemption covers a second trip: the 45-day visa-free stay resets per continuous visit, not per calendar year.
Entry points, photos and passport rules
Both the visa exemption and the e-visa are accepted at Vietnam’s main international gateways — Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) and Da Nang are the most common arrival points for UK and EU travellers, alongside a wide network of other airports and land and sea checkpoints. The full, current list of approved entry and exit points is published on evisa.gov.vn, so it’s worth a quick check against your specific route, especially if you’re crossing overland from Cambodia or Laos.
For the e-visa application you’ll need a clear scan of your passport’s photo page and a recent, plain-background portrait photo, uploaded as digital files. Whichever route you use, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date and have at least two blank pages.
Vietnam visa for UK and EU citizens: know before you go
- Check the list, not last year’s blog post: the exemption list changed twice in 2025 — confirm your country’s status before booking.
- Budget for the fee if you need the e-visa: US$25–50, paid by card on the official portal.
- Keep both copies: a printed approval letter plus a saved PDF on your phone.
- Combine with the rest of your trip: see our full Vietnam trip cost guide once your entry is sorted.
Vietnam visa for UK and EU citizens: FAQs
Do UK citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
No, not for a short trip. British passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism or business, under an exemption renewed in March 2025. Staying longer, or want multiple entries, then you need the e-visa.
Which EU countries are visa-exempt for Vietnam?
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Finland were exempt first; Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania were added in August 2025. All get 45 days visa-free. Other EU nationals need the e-visa.
How much is the Vietnam e-visa and how long does it take?
It costs US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry, applied for online at evisa.gov.vn, with approval usually taking 3–5 working days. It allows a stay of up to 90 days.
Can I extend my 45-day visa-free stay in Vietnam?
Not in place. The visa-exempt stay is not extendable while you’re inside Vietnam — travellers who want longer or more flexible dates should apply for the 90-day e-visa instead.
Is the Vietnam e-visa the same as visa on arrival?
No. The e-visa is approved fully online before you fly and is checked on arrival — there is no separate “visa on arrival” counter for UK or EU tourists. Apply through evisa.gov.vn ahead of your trip.
Why I like sorting this out for our UK and EU guests
Honestly, the visa is the part my British and European guests fret over most — and it’s almost always the part that turns out to be the easiest. What I love is the message that lands a day or two after they arrive: usually a photo of a freshly stamped passport, sometimes a bowl of phở eaten from a plastic stool on the pavement, and a note that just says “why were we nervous?” That first walk through the Old Quarter, with charcoal smoke and star anise in the air, is what the paperwork was really for. So if your nationality or your dates leave you unsure, send them my way — tell me where you’re from and when you’re flying, and I’ll check it myself so you can get back to the fun part of planning.
— Rachel, your travel consultant at My Viva Tour
See Vietnam with My Viva Tour
Once your entry is sorted, let us build the rest of the trip. Tell us your dates, nationality and what you love — food, history, beaches, the mountains — and we’ll send a free, no-obligation private itinerary within 24 hours. Explore our Vietnam private tours, check flight options in our flights to Vietnam from the UK & Europe guide, or get your free quote.
Travel notes fact-checked: July 2026. Visa exemption lists and fees can change with little notice — we recommend confirming your nationality’s status on evisa.gov.vn before booking. This guide is scheduled for review in January 2027, or sooner if Vietnam’s visa policy changes.
