Published on
March 2, 2026
Image generated with Ai
France joins Sweden, Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, Hungary, and other countries in Europe in driving China’s tourism boom, thanks to the introduction of China’s new visa-free policy, which has fueled a remarkable 49% growth in foreign visitors. This surge is primarily due to China’s strategic decision to simplify entry processes through its 30-day visa-waiver program, along with expanded transit options, making it easier for travelers, especially from Europe, to explore the country for business, leisure, and cultural exchanges. As a result, China is increasingly becoming one of Asia’s leading travel destinations, attracting tourists and business professionals alike.
In 2025, China’s tourism industry saw a remarkable surge, with foreign visitors flocking to the country in unprecedented numbers, thanks to the introduction of new visa-free policies. The government of China’s move to open its doors to foreign nationals with easier visa-free access has driven a 49% growth in international arrivals, further cementing China’s position as one of Asia’s top travel destinations. Key European countries, including France, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, and Hungary, have contributed significantly to this increase in visitors. The expansion of the visa-free regime and the implementation of streamlined transit procedures have not only attracted more leisure travelers but also bolstered business tourism in China. Let’s dive into how this new visa-free policy is reshaping the tourism landscape in China and driving record growth in 2025.
The Visa-Free Revolution: How it All Began
In 2025, China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed that 30.08 million foreign nationals entered the mainland through visa-free channels, marking a 49.5% increase from 2024. This significant jump in arrivals has been attributed to three key visa-free schemes:
- The 30-day unilateral visa-waiver – which grants citizens from 48 countries the ability to stay in China for up to 30 days without the need for a visa.
- The 144-hour Transit-Without-Visa (TWOV) program – which allows travelers to stay in designated cities for up to six days without a visa.
- The new 240-hour TWOV – launched in mid-2025, which has been rolled out nationwide and allows stays of up to 10 days without a visa for certain travelers transiting through the country.
These new measures have made China more accessible than ever before, particularly for business travelers, tourists, and short-term visitors. Corporate mobility programs have been reshaped, allowing business travelers to skip the often-lengthy visa application process, especially for short-notice trips like plant audits, sales calls, and trade fair visits.
A Strong Showing from Europe: Key Countries Driving the Growth
The NBS data showed that Europe remained the largest source region of visitors, with France, Germany, and Italy leading the charge. Asia-Pacific countries like South Korea and Japan posted the fastest growth in terms of year-on-year increase. The newly implemented visa-free policies have been welcomed by travelers from these regions, who can now visit China for business or leisure without the hassle of applying for a visa.
Let’s take a look at the key European countries contributing to this tourism boom:
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France: Leading the Way
France has long been a key player in the international tourism scene, and its addition to China’s 30-day visa-free list in 2025 has further strengthened its ties with China. With the ability to enter China without a visa, French nationals have enjoyed a more convenient and cost-effective way to visit China, increasing the number of visitors from France to China significantly. The Tourism Authority of France reported that the new visa-free policy has made travel between the two countries easier than ever before, with a 60% increase in the number of French tourists visiting China within the first quarter of 2025.
Sweden: A New Boost
Sweden’s inclusion in the visa-free program has also played a crucial role in the growing number of visitors from Scandinavia. Swedish nationals have embraced the opportunity to explore China’s vast cultural heritage, natural wonders, and bustling cities without the burden of securing a visa. Early data shows a 40% increase in Swedish tourists visiting China compared to the previous year, with many taking advantage of the 144-hour transit-free program to visit major hubs like Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi’an.
Germany: A Strong Economic Partner
Germany, one of Europe’s economic powerhouses, has long been a significant source of inbound tourism to China. The visa-free initiative has only amplified this relationship, allowing German business travelers, tourists, and academics to visit China with greater ease. The German National Tourist Board reports that tourism numbers from Germany grew by 45% year-on-year in 2025, with business travelers leading the charge. The 144-hour and 240-hour visa-free schemes have made it easier for German professionals to visit China for conferences, meetings, and exhibitions.
Spain: Growing Travel Connections
Spain has also seen remarkable growth in its tourism flows to China, driven by the new visa-free policies. With a rich historical and cultural connection to China, the number of Spanish nationals visiting China surged by 35% in 2025, with many tourists heading to Beijing’s Forbidden City, Shanghai’s skyline, and the famous Great Wall. The ease of travel without the need for a visa has made China a more appealing destination for Spaniards eager to experience the rich tapestry of Chinese culture.
Poland: Unveiling New Potential
Poland, a relatively new addition to the visa-free list, is experiencing a rapid increase in tourist numbers thanks to the 240-hour TWOV option. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted an increase in the number of Polish nationals visiting China for business conferences, trade events, and tourism. As China continues to attract travelers from Eastern Europe, Poland’s newly opened visa-free access is expected to play a major role in further driving tourism exchanges between the two nations.
Italy: Ancient History Meets Modern Business
Italy, with its deep historical connections to China, is also seeing a boom in visitors. The 30-day visa waiver has been instrumental in making travel to China much easier for Italian tourists who have long been interested in China’s ancient history and modern technological advances. Italian trade and business delegations are increasingly visiting China for high-level negotiations and exhibitions, contributing to a 45% increase in Italian visitors to China in 2025.
Hungary: A New Frontier for Tourism
Hungary, with its central location in Europe, is capitalizing on the new visa-free policies to boost inbound tourism to China. The country has seen significant growth in Chinese tourists visiting Hungary, and now, Hungarian nationals are equally eager to explore China’s ancient landmarks, cutting-edge architecture, and cultural heritage. Hungary’s tourism agency predicts strong growth in 2026 as more visitors take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy.
The Growing Impact of Visa-Free Policies on Business Travel
One of the most notable outcomes of these new visa policies is their impact on business travel. Multinational companies have found it easier than ever to send employees on short-term assignments to China. With the visa-free schemes, particularly the 30-day waiver, companies can now send staff to trade fairs, meetings, and plant audits without waiting for long visa processing times.
The corporate mobility programs have been completely reshaped in response to these changes, enabling businesses to act quickly on short-notice assignments. The impact is particularly significant in Shanghai, China’s commercial hub, which processed 452,000 visa-free arrivals between January and February 2025 alone, making up nearly two-thirds of all inbound traffic to the city.
The policy has made business travel more cost-effective and flexible, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026 as more international flights to China are added.
A Bright Future for China’s Tourism Industry
Looking ahead to 2026, analysts forecast that inbound numbers will increase by another 20-25% thanks to 80 additional international flights that Chinese carriers have requested for the summer timetable. This surge in flights, combined with continued visa-free access, will ensure that China remains a top destination for international travelers.
The combination of long-haul flights, visa-free policies, and rapid growth in both leisure and business tourism will further cement China’s status as the premier tourism destination in Asia.
The 49% growth in inbound tourism in 2025, largely driven by the new visa-free policies, is a testament to the success of China’s efforts to become a more accessible and attractive destination. With countries like France, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, and Hungary contributing to this boom, the future of China’s tourism industry looks bright and promising.
France joins Sweden, Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, Hungary, and other countries in Europe in driving China’s tourism boom, thanks to the new visa-free policy that has spurred a 49% growth in international arrivals, making travel easier and more accessible for European visitors.
By simplifying entry processes, boosting business travel, and opening doors for tourists, China has successfully positioned itself as a global leader in tourism — one that is expected to continue attracting visitors from around the world in the years to come.
