The information on this page is indicative and not exhaustive. Interested parties should seek additional information from the Embassy or Consulate of the country of their main destination.
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A Schengen visa can be obtained in the form of a single-entry visa, allowing the holder to enter the Schengen area once, or a multiple-entry visa, which is granted for several visits to the Schengen area for as long as it is valid.
The short-stay visa calculator can be used to calculate the remaining period of allowed stay. The user's guide will help you navigate the calculator with step by step instructions and practical examples.
An airport transit visa allows its holder to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen area during a stopover or a change of flights. This visa does not allow its holder to leave the international transit area of an airport.
Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?
Certain non-EU citizens must hold a short stay visa when traveling to the Schengen area. The EU has a common list of countries whose citizens are required to hold a visa when crossing its external borders. There are national derogations from the visa requirements for certain travellers.
Some third-country nationals must also hold an airport transit visa when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in any of the Schengen States. For citizens of certain additional countries, an airport transit visa is required when connecting through the international transit areas of airports located in some of the Schengen States. There are some categories of persons who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa (see Article 3(5) of the Visa Code).
Where to apply?
You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country you intend to visit. If you intend to visit more than one Schengen States, you should apply at the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest period of time.
If you intend to visit several Schengen States and the stays will be of equal length, you must apply at the Consulate of the first country you will visit.
As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally reside.
When to apply?
The application must be submitted to the Consulate at least 15 days before the intended journey and cannot be lodged earlier than six months prior to the start of the intended journey. You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.
What documents are needed to apply?
- A valid passport. The passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after the date of your departure from the Schengen area. In the case of multiple-entry visa, the passport’s expiry date should be at least 3 months after your departure from the last country visited.
- A visa application form.
- A photo in compliance with ICAO standards.
- Medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in case of death).
- Supporting documents relating to the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means during your stay, your accommodation and your will to return to your home country after your stay.
- Your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants).
- Additional documents can be requested by the Consulates.
How much does a visa cost?
- 80€ for adults;
- 40€ for children aged 6-12;
- 35€ for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus;
- 60€ for applicants from Cabo Verde.
An additional fee may apply if you go through visa service centres, which collect applications on behalf of Consulates in some cases.
The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.
Processing time of the application
The normal processing time of a visa application is 15 days. This period may be extended to up to 45 days, if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required.
Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens falling under the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.
Refusal of a visa application
The decision to refuse a Schengen visa and the reasons for the refusal are transmitted to the applicant using a standard form. The decision to refuse the issuance of a visa includes the reasons on which the refusal was based, and the procedures and deadlines for submitting an appeal.