Iran eVisa for EU Citizens: Complete 2026 Application Guide

Last updated: September 2026. Fees and processing times verified against evisa.mfa.ir.

All 27 EU member state citizens can apply for an Iran eVisa online at evisa.mfa.ir. The tourist visa costs approximately EUR 60 to EUR 85 and processes in 5 to 10 working days. EU applicants receive an electronic grant notice with no passport stamps or physical stickers. UK passport holders face separate rules post-Brexit, including mandatory guided tours and 6+ week processing times. The standard Iran eVisa for EU citizens requires a passport valid for at least 6 months, a digital photo, and a scanned passport bio-page. Apply at least 2 to 3 weeks before your intended travel date.

Iran eVisa approval rates for EU citizens range from 96% to 98% depending on nationality. Most European travellers receive an electronic document featuring a QR code for validation, removing the need for physical embassy collection for most categories.

Who Can Apply for the Iran eVisa: EU Eligibility & Visa Types

Eligible nationalities include citizens of Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, and Ireland, as well as all remaining EU member states. Non-EU European citizens from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland can also apply, though UK passport holders face a mandatory guided tour requirement.

The Iran eVisa for EU citizens covers three visa categories:

• Type B (Tourist): For tourism and visiting friends or relatives; the most common choice for European travellers.
• Type A (Business): For business purposes such as signing contracts; requires an invitation letter from an Iranian ministry, governmental organisation, or private/public sector entity.
• Type E (Education): For foreign nationals who wish to receive education in Iran.

Each visa type is available as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry document. EU nationals holding dual Iranian citizenship must enter Iran on their Iranian passport, as Iranian authorities count dual citizens exclusively as Iranian nationals. This guide covers the tourist eVisa (Type B). Visa types are selectable at evisatraveller.mfa.ir/en/request/visa_types/.

Iran eVisa Requirements for EU Citizens

The Iran eVisa for EU citizens requires the following documents and information:

• Passport validity: minimum 6 months beyond the intended entry or stay date, with at least 2 free pages (not necessarily consecutive) and a machine-readable biographical data page.
• Digital photo: JPEG format, maximum 10 MB, plain light background, face occupying 50-70% of the frame, no glasses, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months. Specifications at evisatraveller.mfa.ir/en/request/digital_image_requirement/.
• Scanned passport bio-page: JPEG or PDF, maximum 10 MB, complete and readable copy of the front (bio) page.
• Residence permit: required only if applying from a country other than your nationality. Upload as a single file, maximum 10 MB.
• Physical passport photos: 1 to 4 copies required only if collecting your visa at an embassy.
• Valid email address: used for authentication, status updates, and delivery of the Iran eVisa for EU citizens after MFA review.
• Non-refundable fee payment submitted through the online portal at evisa.mfa.ir.

Note: Visa fees and policies may change without notice. Always check the official MFA portal before applying.

Iran eVisa Fees by EU Country (2026 Table)

The Iran eVisa for EU citizens requires a non-refundable fee that varies by nationality, combining a government charge with a service component. Standard EU service fees are EUR 36.00 (normal) or EUR 54.00 (urgent). UK fees are £85 standard or £128 urgent.

The Iran eVisa fee is non-refundable. Fees exclude mandatory airport health insurance (~EUR 14 per person) applicable to Visa on Arrival only.

Step-by-Step Iran eVisa Application Process

Iran eVisa Processing Times & Your Approved Document

Standard processing for the Iran eVisa for EU citizens takes 5-10 working days; UK, US, and Canadian citizens wait 6+ weeks for security clearance. Peak periods (Nowruz in March, summer) may extend processing to 12-15 days. Most EU nationals receive no physical passport stamps or stickers under Iran’s non-stamping policy in effect since June 2019. The authorisation code is valid for 60 days for embassy collection and is restricted to the embassy specified in your application. The Visa Grant Notice is valid for 1 month for forwarding purposes. You must enter Iran within 45 days from the date of issuance.

eVisa vs Visa on Arrival for EU Citizens

Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available at all Iranian International Airports for airplane arrivals only, with processing taking 30-90 minutes on-site. Payment is cash-only in EUR or USD, as international credit and debit cards do not function due to banking sanctions. Travellers choosing VoA must also purchase mandatory health insurance at the airport for EUR 14 / US$18 per person, and the policy must explicitly state the word “Iran.” US citizens are ineligible for VoA.

Special Considerations: UK Citizens & US ESTA Impact

UK citizens face fundamentally different Iran visa rules: a mandatory guided tour, 6+ weeks processing, £85 to £128 fees, and no Visa on Arrival. UK citizens face different rules: processing exceeds 6 weeks due to mandatory security clearance. UK citizens must join a guided tour, collect stickers at the embassy, and cannot use VoA. The London Iranian Consulate handles visa collection and passport return on behalf of applicants.

All EU citizens who visit Iran automatically lose US ESTA eligibility under the 2015 Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. The passport non-stamping policy, introduced in June 2019, does not prevent this data sharing. Affected travellers must apply for a full B-1/B-2 visa at a US embassy instead.

Iran eVisa Approval Rates & Application Tips for EU Citizens

The Iran eVisa approval rate for EU citizens ranges from 96% to 98% depending on nationality, according to iranianvisa.com data. Germany and Austria lead at 98%, while France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, and the UK all sit at 96%. Belgium holds a 97% approval rate.

These Iran eVisa application tips help maximise your approval chances:

• Apply at least 2-3 weeks before your intended travel date.
• Use email as primary verification. Foreign mobile numbers may not reliably receive SMS codes from Iranian networks.
• Double-check all data before submission. Errors require re-application.
• Print your grant notice and carry a physical copy with your passport.
• If your application is stuck after 10 working days, contact the MFA. If stalled for 3+ weeks, consider an authorised tour operator who can obtain the authorisation code in 1-3 days.
• Avoid declaring media or NGO occupation on the tourist eVisa form. Journalism or NGO work triggers a separate press visa category and routine tourist eVisa rejections.
• Ensure your health insurance policy explicitly states the word “Iran” if purchasing at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Iran eVisa for EU Citizens