The Republic of Kiribati and EU citizens (Schengen Area) are to be exempted from visa requirements when travelling into, from or transiting through the territories of the other for a short period, under a short-stay visa waiver agreement signed on 23 June.

The Schengen Area comprises of most EU states except for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the UK. Non-EU states such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland have joined the Schengen Area.

Citizens may stay for 90 days in any 180-day period. This means that if Kiribati citizens travel to European countries in the Schengen Area they can stay for up to 90 days straight or travel in and out of the Area, where their stays in the Area accumulate up to 90 days, in a 180-day period. The visa cannot be used if travelling for the purpose of paid work.

A valid passport including diplomatic, service/official or special passport is required for citizens to benefit from the visa-free travel.