What Is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a zone of 27 European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing free movement across member states on a single visa. It includes most EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. A Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire area.
You must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country that is your main destination. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries for equal durations, apply at the embassy of the first country you will enter.
Visa Categories
Type C (Short-Stay Visa): The standard tourist, visitor, and business visa. Valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is what most applicants apply for.
Type D (National Long-Stay Visa): Issued by individual countries for stays exceeding 90 days — for example, for study, work, or family reunification. Each Schengen country manages its own Type D visas independently.
Required Documents
All Schengen embassies require a core set of documents, though individual countries may request additional items. Prepare the following before submitting your application:
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages and validity extending 3 months beyond your return date
- Completed Schengen visa application form (signed and dated)
- Two recent passport-sized photos (35mm × 45mm, white background, taken within 6 months)
- Travel insurance: minimum €30,000 medical coverage, valid across the entire Schengen Area for the duration of your stay
- Proof of accommodation for every night of your stay (hotel bookings, host invitation letter, or Airbnb confirmations)
- Flight itinerary: round-trip reservation or confirmed booking
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months showing sufficient funds (approximately €50–100 per day is commonly used as a benchmark)
- Proof of employment or income: employer letter on company letterhead, recent payslips, or tax returns for self-employed applicants
- Cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit, travel itinerary, and ties to your home country
- Visa application fee: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12 (children under 6 are free)
Where to Apply
Submit your application at the embassy or consulate of your main destination country, or the first country you will enter if visiting multiple countries for equal durations. Many Schengen countries outsource appointment booking and document collection to external visa application centres (VACs) such as VFS Global or TLScontact — check the specific embassy's website for your country.
Book your appointment well in advance. Demand peaks during summer months (June–August) and popular travel periods. Allow at least 4–6 weeks from application submission to intended travel, though many embassies advise applying up to 3 months in advance.
After Submission: Biometrics and Processing
First-time Schengen applicants and those whose biometrics have expired must provide fingerprints and a photograph at the embassy or VAC. Biometric data is stored for 59 months and reused for subsequent applications within that period.
Standard processing time is 15 calendar days from the date of application submission, though this can extend to 30 days and in exceptional cases up to 60 days. You will be notified of the decision via your VAC or directly by the embassy. If approved, your passport will be returned with the visa sticker affixed.