For many African travellers, visiting European countries often means applying for a visa, submitting supporting documents and waiting for approval before making travel plans.
However, citizens of some African countries enjoy visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area for short visits.
As of 2026, Mauritius and Seychelles are the two African countries whose citizens have visa-waiver arrangements with the European Union for short stays in the Schengen Area.
The visa exemption allows eligible citizens of both countries to travel to participating European countries without obtaining a Schengen visa in advance, subject to the conditions of the visa-waiver arrangement.
1. Mauritius
Mauritian citizens can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This means holders of eligible Mauritian passports can visit participating European countries for purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, or other permitted short-term activities without first applying for a Schengen visa.
The 90-day rule is calculated across the entire Schengen Area, rather than separately for each country. Therefore, a traveller cannot spend 90 days in France and then another 90 days in Germany under the same visa-free allowance.
Mauritian travellers must still meet the relevant entry requirements at the European border, and visa-free access does not automatically guarantee admission.
2. Seychelles
Citizens of Seychelles can also enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The arrangement makes it possible for eligible Seychellois passport holders to visit participating European countries without obtaining a Schengen visa before travelling.
Like Mauritian citizens, Seychellois travellers can use the visa exemption for permitted short-term visits, including tourism and other activities covered by the rules.
The 90-day limit applies across the Schengen Area during the relevant 180-day period.
Vanguard News
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