Complete guide to applying for a Schengen visa covering all 27 member countries. Covers the application form, required documents, appointment booking, embassy interview, and processing times.
Citizens of 62 countries can enter the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Check the EU's official list at ec.europa.eu. Starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers also need ETIAS authorization (7 EUR, valid 3 years).
Verify your nationality against the visa-required list
Check if ETIAS applies to you instead of a visa
Select the correct visa category
Category C (short-stay) covers tourism, business, and family visits for up to 90 days. Category D (national visa) is for stays over 90 days and follows the rules of the specific country, not the Schengen-wide process.
Confirm you need a Category C short-stay visa (up to 90 days)
Determine single-entry vs multiple-entry based on travel plans
Identify the correct embassy or consulate
Apply at the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights. If equal time in two countries, apply at the country of first entry. This is strictly enforced — applying at the wrong embassy results in rejection.
Map out which Schengen country is your main destination
Find the nearest consulate or visa application center (VAC)
Check processing times for your consulate
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days. Some consulates take up to 45 days during peak season (June-August). Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before departure.
Complete the Application Form
Fill out the Schengen visa application form
Most consulates accept the EU's harmonized form, available as a PDF or online through the consulate's portal. Fill it out in English or the language of the destination country. Print on A4 paper, single-sided.
Download the form from the consulate website or use the online portal
Complete all fields — leave none blank (write 'N/A' where not applicable)
Enter personal details exactly as they appear on your passport
Name, date of birth, and passport number must match your passport exactly. Any discrepancy — even a missing middle name — can delay processing or result in denial.
Full name matching passport
Nationality, date and place of birth
Current occupation and employer details
Fill in travel details section
Purpose of travel (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
Intended date of entry and departure
Member state of first entry
Number of entries requested (single, double, or multiple)
Sign and date the application form
Sign in the same style as your passport signature. For minors under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign. Some consulates require signatures on each page.
Gather Required Documents
Prepare your passport and photos
Your passport must be less than 10 years old, have at least 2 blank pages, and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area.
2 recent passport photos (35x45mm, white background, taken within last 6 months)
Copies of previous Schengen visas and entry/exit stamps
Obtain travel insurance
Schengen visa requires travel medical insurance with minimum 30,000 EUR coverage, valid across all 27 Schengen states. The policy must cover emergency medical treatment and repatriation. Buy from a provider recognized by the consulate — check their website for approved insurers.
Purchase policy with 30,000 EUR minimum coverage
Verify coverage dates match or exceed your travel dates
Print the insurance certificate
Prepare proof of accommodation
Hotel bookings, Airbnb confirmations, or a host's invitation letter with their ID and proof of address. Bookings should be refundable — the consulate does not require non-refundable reservations.
Hotel or accommodation reservation for entire stay
If staying with someone: signed invitation letter, host's ID copy, proof of address
Prepare proof of transportation
Round-trip flight reservation (refundable is acceptable)
Internal travel bookings between Schengen countries (if applicable)
Prepare financial documents
The consulate needs proof you can fund your trip — roughly 50-100 EUR per day depending on the country. Bank statements from the last 3 months are standard. If someone else is sponsoring your trip, include their bank statements and a sponsorship letter.
Bank statements from the last 3 months
Employment letter with salary, position, and approved leave dates
Sponsorship letter and sponsor's financial documents (if applicable)
Prepare proof of ties to your home country
The consulate must be satisfied you will return home. Property deeds, employment contracts, university enrollment, dependent family members, and business registration all serve as evidence. Consult an immigration lawyer if you have a complex situation (prior overstays, previous denials).
Employment contract or business registration
Property ownership documents
Family ties documentation (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates)
Prepare a cover letter
A 1-page cover letter summarizing your trip purpose, itinerary, funding source, and ties to home. Not all consulates require it, but it strengthens the application by giving the officer a quick overview.
Book Appointment and Submit Application
Book a visa appointment
Most consulates use external visa application centers (VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International). Appointments fill up fast during peak travel season — book 4-6 weeks in advance. Some consulates allow direct appointments; check the specific consulate website.
Create an account on the consulate's appointment portal
Select the earliest available appointment date
Print the appointment confirmation
Pay the visa fee
The standard Schengen visa fee is 80 EUR for adults and 40 EUR for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are exempt. Some countries have bilateral agreements reducing the fee. Pay at the application center — most accept cash and card.
Confirm the fee amount for your nationality and age
Prepare payment (cash in local currency or card)
Submit your application in person
Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. Bring originals and one photocopy of every document. The staff will check your application, collect biometrics (fingerprints + photo), and issue a receipt. Keep this receipt — you need it to track your application and collect your passport.
Organize all documents in the order listed on the consulate's checklist
Bring originals and one set of photocopies
Provide biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo)
Complete biometrics collection
Biometrics (10-finger scan and digital photo) are stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years. If you provided biometrics for a previous Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may be exempt. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.
Interview and Processing
Attend the visa interview (if required)
Not all consulates conduct interviews — many process applications at the visa center without one. If called for an interview, expect questions about your trip purpose, itinerary, funding, and return plans. Answers should be brief and consistent with your application.
Prepare concise answers about trip purpose, duration, and funding
Bring all original documents to the interview
Track your application status
Use the reference number from your receipt to track progress on the visa center's website or via SMS notifications (if offered). Standard processing: 15 calendar days. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
Check status online using your receipt reference number
Respond promptly if the consulate requests additional documents
Collect your passport with the visa decision
Pick up passport in person or arrange courier delivery
Verify the visa sticker details (dates, number of entries, duration)
After Receiving Your Visa
Verify all details on the visa sticker
Check your name spelling, passport number, visa validity dates, number of entries, and duration of stay. Errors are rare but must be corrected before travel — contact the consulate immediately if anything is wrong.
Confirm name and passport number match
Confirm validity dates cover your entire trip
Confirm number of entries matches what you requested
Understand the 90/180-day rule
A Schengen visa allows a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day rolling period across all 27 Schengen states combined. Overstaying — even by 1 day — results in fines, deportation, and a ban on future Schengen visas.
Prepare documents for border entry
Having a valid visa does not guarantee entry. Border officers may ask for your return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance, and proof of funds. Carry printed copies of everything you submitted with your application.
Print return flight confirmation
Print accommodation bookings
Carry travel insurance certificate
Have proof of sufficient funds accessible
Handle a visa denial (if applicable)
If denied, the consulate must provide a written reason. You can appeal the decision — the appeal process and deadline vary by country (typically 1-3 months). Address the specific reason for denial before reapplying. Consult an immigration lawyer if denied for 214(b) equivalent or misrepresentation reasons.
Review the denial letter for the specific reason
File an appeal within the stated deadline if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
The standard Schengen visa fee is EUR 80 for adults and EUR 40 for children aged 6-11 as of 2026. Children under 6 are exempt from the fee. Some nationalities pay reduced fees based on bilateral agreements with the EU. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the visa decision.
Which Schengen country should I apply to?
You must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country that is your main destination (where you will spend the most nights). If you plan equal time in multiple countries, apply to the country of first entry. Applying to the wrong country is a common reason for visa denial. If your itinerary changes after receiving the visa, you can still enter through a different Schengen country, but your primary destination should match your application.
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area?
A short-stay Schengen visa allows a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day rolling period across all 29 Schengen member states combined. This is not per country but total across the entire zone. Overstaying even one day can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from the Schengen Area for up to 3 years. Use an online Schengen calculator to track your remaining days if you make multiple trips.
What travel insurance is required for a Schengen visa?
Schengen visa applicants must have travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, valid for the entire Schengen Area, and covering the full duration of the trip plus a few buffer days. The policy must include emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Many standard travel insurance policies meet these requirements, but verify the coverage territory explicitly includes all Schengen states before purchasing.
Can a Schengen visa be extended while in Europe?
Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances such as force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons. You must apply at the immigration authority of the country you are in before your current visa expires. Extensions for tourism or convenience are almost never approved. If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you typically need to apply for a national long-stay visa (Type D) from your home country before traveling.