Schengen Visa Info – Europe’s Leading Resource for Schengen Travel Entry & Visa Rules

Since 2013, SchengenVisaInfo has been providing complete and up-to-date information about the Schengen Visas, and so far, we have provided help to more than 280 million people, in order to understand how to get a visa and what are the entry requirements to travel to Europe. The rules, guidelines and the information we provide are based on the EU Regulation 810/2009 (Visa Code) and the official European Commission Guidance.

Do You Need a Schengen Visa to Enter the Schengen Area?

Whether you need a Schengen visa to enter into the Schengen Zone depends on your nationality. Use our visa wizard to instantly determine if you need a visa:

What Is Schengen?

The term “Schengen” applies to the borderless zone which includes most European countries. It is the biggest free travel area in the world. It is a region of 29 European countries with no internal borders, allowing the free and un-restricted travel of people across the area. The total area covered by the Schengen zone is approximately 4,718,084 km2 and contains a population of over 448 million people.

What is a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen visa is a short term entry to all 29 Schengen member states which allows you to enter as a tourist, go on business, visit your relatives, receive medical care or for other short term reasons.

Schengen visas are regulated by EU Regulation 810/2009 and allow a maximum of 90 days in total in each 180 day time frame.

Some key aspects of Schengen visa rules:

• Duration of validity: The duration of the visa is indicated on the visa sticker and indicates how many entries into the territory are possible
• Type of entrance: A single, double or multi-entry visa is possible
• Valid for: All 29 Schengen States (with the exception of visas with limited territorial validity)
• Purpose: Tourism, business meeting, family visit, medical treatment, cultural and sports events, short course
• Prohibited use: Working, long term studies, permanent residence

Where Can I Travel to With My Schengen Visa?

All travelers who receive a Schengen visa are able to travel freely throughout the entire Schengen Area.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czechia
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

In addition to being able to travel through the Schengen zone, holders of a valid Schengen visa are able to visit 11+ other countries that are not part of the Schengen zone, without needing to apply for an additional visa.

Steps to Get a Schengen Visa

The application procedure for the Schengen visa is uniform for all the Schengen states according to the EU regulation no. 810/2009 (Visa Code). The requirements for submitting an application and processing time may differ from one embassy to another.

Key Steps to Apply for the Schengen Visa

1. Check if you must apply for a Schengen visa. 
2. Understand the correct visa type you need to apply for based on your travel purpose.
3. Determine the correct consulate: Apply at the consulate of your main destination (where you’ll spend most days). For equal-length stays, apply at your first entry point into the Schengen Area.
4. Collect all the required documents:
   • Travel document / Passport (with 3 months validity after exit date);
   • Schengen application Form;
   • Photos;
   • Travel Insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage);
   • Proof of Accommodation;
   • Flight Itinerary/Tickets;
   • Financial Evidence.
5. Booking an Appointment: Book an appointment via VFS Global or your embassy’s booking system. Availability can be very short during peak season so book as early as possible, typically between 2-4 weeks prior to the required application submission deadline.
6. Submission of Documents: Present your documents and give biometric data (fingerprinting plus photo) and pay the visa fee.
7. Processing Time: Receive a decision within 15 calendar days (normal) to 45 calendar days (complex cases).
8. Receiving Your Passport: Collect your passport with the visa sticker displaying the validity of your visa, length of stay, number of entries allowed.

Apply by Destination Country

Each Schengen country processes applications through its own consulates. Select your destination for specific procedures, consulate locations, processing times, and approval rates:

If Your Application Is Denied

Each year approximately 15 – 20 percent of all Schengen visa applications are denied. An understanding of the denial reasons found under EU Visa Code Article 32 can help you avoid being denied and understand how to properly make an appeal if you are denied.

Common Denial Reasons

• Insufficient financial resources: bank statements which show irregular deposits, low consistent balances and/or a large deposit into your account shortly before the application date;
• Intent to depart is not clear: weak ties to your home country (no job, no property, no family obligations, previous over stays);
• Purpose is not legitimate: vague itinerary’s, accommodations which do not support your purpose of travel, and/or inconsistencies between your explanation of purpose and supporting documents.

Rights If Denied
You have the right to appeal within 15-30 days depending on the country where you applied; and the refusal letter must provide the specific reason(s) for the denial under Article 32 and explain the process for appealing the decision.

• All 11 Official Refusal Grounds Explained (EU Visa Code Article 32) with Real Examples
• How to Appeal a Visa Refusal: Step-by-Step Process & Country-Specific Procedures
• 100+ Schengen Visa Interview Questions: How to Answer & What Officers Look For

If Your Visa Is Approved

If the authorities decide to grant you a Schengen visa, they will attach it in the form of a sticker to the blank pages of your passport. This is what a Schengen visa looks like:

Preparing to Travel With Your Schengen Visa

The process of preparing for border entry does not simply mean having a valid visa, as you will still be required to present a valid passport that includes a visa sticker, and also have proof of how long you plan on being in the Schengen Area by showing return flight tickets, as well as other documents, including:

When entering the Schengen Area, you should also expect to answer questions from the border guard regarding the length of time you will be spending in Schengen Zone, what you plan to do while here, where you will be staying, and how you will support yourself during your visit. All documentation should be easy to access and clearly understandable.

For more information read the following articles:

• The Documents Every Traveler Needs to Enter the Schengen Area
• Questions Border Officers Ask When Entering the Schengen Area

How Long Can You Stay in Europe With a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa allows you to stay in Europe’s Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. The exact number of days you can spend in the Schengen Area is stated on your visa sticker. The consular officer handling your visa application decides on the validity of your visa.

Depending on duration and validity, Schengen visas are categorized as follows:

• Single-entry visa. It allows you to enter the Schengen Area once and remain there for the number of days permitted. Once you leave, you cannot re-enter.
• Double-entry visa. Allows you to enter the Schengen Area two times. In both entries, the number of days cannot exceed that stated on the sticker.
• Multiple-entry visa. Allows you to enter the Schengen Area multiple times during its validity. The total number of days on all combined entries cannot exceed the days stated on the visa sticker.

For What Travel Purpose Are Schengen Visas Issued?

Schengen visas are issued for the following travel purposes:

• Tourism and holidays.
• Business trip.
• Visiting friends and family.
• Attending cultural, religious, or sports events.
• To transit in a Schengen airport (A type visa).
• Official visits.
• Medical treatment.
• To attend a short-term study course or for research purposes.

Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) vs. Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV)

• The Uniform Schengen Visa (USV) is the commonly-issued type of Schengen visa—it allows the holder to enter all Schengen States during the visa’s validity period.
• The Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV) on the other hand, is typically issued in specific cases, such as for humanitarian reasons, for reasons of national interest or due to international obligations. It allows the holder to visit only the Schengen State which issued the visa, or only the specific Schengen States mentioned in the visa sticker.

FAQ

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For more updates check Schengen News