A Regional Guide to Depositions in Europe (updated 2020)

Ian Hardy - July 20, 2020

Are there any restrictions on holding a U.S. depo in …

No
Taking U.S. depositions in Belgium is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Belgium without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in the Czech Republic is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in the Czech Republic without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
Yes
Taking U.S. depositions in Denmark is permissible, however you must obtain prior permission from the Danish Ministry of Justice.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Finland is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Finland without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
Yes
Taking voluntary depositions of U.S. citizens in France can be conducted without any special permissions. However, depositions of French citizens and third country nationals require prior permission from the French Central Authority and must be held on Embassy or Consulate premises.
Yes
Taking U.S. depositions in Germany is permissible. However, depos must take place on the U.S. Consulate ground in Frankfurt.
Yes
Voluntary depositions of U.S. citizen witnesses may be conducted in Greece, provided no compulsion is used. Voluntary depositions of Greek and third country nationals require prior permission from the Greek Central Authority.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Ireland is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Ireland without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Italy is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Italy without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Kazakhstan is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Kazakhstan without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in the Netherlands is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in the Netherlands without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
Yes
Voluntary depositions of willing witnesses is permitted regardless of the nationality of the witness. However, prior permission from the Norwegian Central Authority is required.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Poland is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Poland without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
Yes
Russia does not permit the taking of depositions or witness statements for the use in foreign courts.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in Spain is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in Spain without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.
Yes
Voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in civil and commercial matters are permitted regardless of the nationality of the witness. However, prior permission from the Swedish Foreign Ministry is required.
Yes
While taking U.S. depositions in Switzerland is permissible, all voluntary depositions are subject to prior authorization by the Federal Department of Justice and Police.
Yes
Taking voluntary depositions of U.S. citizens in Turkey can be conducted without any special permissions. However, depositions of Turkish citizens and third country nationals require prior permission from the Turkish Central Authority.
No
Taking U.S. depositions in the United Kingdom is permissible and in general, you can depose willing witnesses in the United Kingdom without any special formalities or involvement of foreign courts.

Countries That Require Visas for U.S. Citizens

Russia
Turkey

You must obtain a visa from the appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad. Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application especially if you are applying by mail. Most foreign consular representatives are located in principal cities and in many instances a traveler may be required to obtain visas from the consular office in the area of his/her residence. Embassies & Consulates in the U.S.

Tips & Advice

Exchanging money
Compare exchange rates at a number of booths if possible, but don’t waste time and money traipsing across town to save ten euros. Banks and booths typically give much better rates than hotels or other businesses. It’s wise to exchange money at a licensed foreign exchange location – while you may get a better rate on the street, you may get burned by a scam or wind up with obsolete or fraudulent notes – weigh up the pros and cons.

Carry some cash.
While credit cards are widely accepted in Europe, cash is still king when you are absolutely in a bind. While we aren’t saying to be a walking ATM, do have several hundred dollars on you just in case.

Get your paper work straight.
Make sure everyone in your party has a passport and a visa if applicable. Check the embassy rules as they are constantly updated. Also, see what items are included in your travel package (insurance, tipping, forms, etc).

Be a smart traveler.
Before heading overseas:Organize comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy. Register your travel and contact details, so someone can contact you in an emergency.

Tipping Rules
To tip the cabbie, round up. For a typical ride, round up about 5-10 percent (to pay a €4.50 fare, give €5; for a €28 fare, give €30). If the cabbie hauls your bags and zips you to the airport to help you catch your flight, you might want to toss in a little more. But if you feel like you’re being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don’t tip.

Useful Links

U.S. Department of State
Embassies & Consulates in the U.S.
U.S. Embassies Around the World
Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Detailed List on Voltage Requirements

We are always here to help! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a deposition in Europe.