Need a visa?

The Carnet de Touriste is a guarantee document that has simplified and liberalised travel for citizens of East and Central European countries visiting Schengen states. The aim of the Carnet de Touriste system is to reduce obstacles to travel and support the political trend towards improved communication between peoples.

Since 1995 more than 325'000 tourists have travelled from East to West and back again thanks to the AIT Carnet de Touriste.

The ÖAMTC, Austria; the ADAC, Germany; and the TCS, Switzerland, have given guarantees to their governments to pay certain costs for Carnet holders: these include essential medical treatment by a doctor or hospital - in the basic nursing class; the patient's transport costs; the deportation of a tourist if requested by the authorities; or the repatriation of a deceased tourist's body.

The validity of the Carnet de Touriste has to be, at least, as long as the period of validity of the visa applied for (8 days, 15 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months). The guarantee is valid for all states of the Schengen Convention + Switzerland as well as those countries where transit is involved. For medical treatment, transport etc., costs are guaranteed up to a total of EUR 30'000; repatriation/deportation up to EUR 3'500.

Sale outlets

The Carnet de Touriste is available mainly through members of the AIT. For a list of issuing members please click here.