Visit Europe and the Schengen Area

Schengen Visa Information

Get all the information about the world´s largest borderless and visa-free zone. Stay informed about the latest requirements when traveling to Europe with a Schengen visa.

Visa Center Application Passport Control Schengen

What is the Schengen Visa ?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa authorization issued by a Schengen State. It allows you to:

  • an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen Area of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 days period (“short-stay visa”)
  • transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States (“airport transit visa”)
  • transit through the territory of all Schengen states
Schengen Visa explained

Who needs a Schengen Visa?

If you are traveling to one of the Schengen countries, you should check the official list from the EU from which countries citizens need a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen Area. An always up to date list of countries is covered in this section.

How to apply for the Visa?

Taking the Right Steps at the Right Time with all documents prepared according to your chosen visa type's specific requirements gives you better chances for visa approval at the first attempt.

Schengen Visa Fees and Costs​

The general visa fee of EUR 80 must be paid when submitting the visa application. People from some countries with which the EU has concluded Visa Facilitation Agreements and children are paying a reduced or no fee. A complete list could be found in the section.

Passport Visa People Type

Schengen Visa Types

There are different types of Schengen visas granted by the embassies of the Schengen countries. They fall under three major categories and each one implements a unique set of restrictions regarding its holder’s freedom to travel in and out of Schengen countries.

Countries in the Schengen Area

The Schengen area covers 27 countries (“Schengen States”) without border controls between them.

Austria Flag Schengen Visa Austria
Austria Visa

Belgium Flag Schengen Visa Belgium
Belgium Visa

Croatian Flag Schengen Visa Croatia
Croatia Visa

Czech Republic Flag Schengen Visa Czech Republic
Czech Republic Visa

Denmark Flag Schengen Visa Denmark
Denmark Visa

Estonia Flag Schengen Visa Estonia
Estonia Visa

Finland Flag Schengen Visa Finland
Finland Visa

France Flag Schengen Visa France
France Visa

Germany Flag Schengen Visa Germany
Germany Visa

Greece Flag Schengen Visa Greece
Greece Visa

Hungary Flag Schengen Visa Hungary
Hungary Visa

Iceland Flag Schengen Visa Iceland
Iceland Visa

Italy Flag Schengen Visa Italy
Italy Visa

Latvia Flag Schengen Visa Latvia
Latvia Visa

Liechtenstein Flag Schengen Visa Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein Visa

Lithuania Flag Schengen Visa Lithuania
Lithuania Visa

Luxembourg Flag Schengen Visa Luxembourg
Luxembourg Visa

Malta Flag Schengen Visa Malta
Malta Visa

Netherlands Flag Schengen Visa Netherlands
Netherlands Visa

Norway Flag Schengen Visa Norway
Norway Visa

Poland Flag Schengen Visa Poland
Poland Visa

Portugal Flag Schengen Visa Portugal
Portugal Visa

Slovakia Flag Schengen Visa Slovakia
Slovakia Visa

Slovenia Flag Schengen Visa Slovenia
Slovenia Visa

Spain Flag Schengen Visa Spain
Spain Visa

Sweden Flag Schengen Visa Sweden
Sweden Visa

Switzerland Flag Schengen Visa Switzerland
Switzerland Visa

Good to know: The 27 Schengen countries are not the only countries you are allowed to enter with a valid Schengen Visa. Many other countries not part of the Schengen Zone are allowing foreign citizens to enter their country, by showing a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa. In this case, e.g. there is no national visa required for the following countries:  Albania, Antigua Barbuda, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Columbia(some restrictions), Cyprus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Mexica, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, etc…

Schengen Visa Checklist Requirements Illustration

Application Requirements for a Schengen Visa

We covered everything you need for the application process in the requirements section. During the processing time of the Visa application the consulate could ask you in individual cases to submit additional information or documents or you may be contacted for an interview.

How to find an accepted Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

A Schengen Visa insurance should cover at least 30,000 EUR for medical costs and repatriation. The insurance duration must be valid for the whole stay in the Schengen Area. The minimum requirements for a Schengen Visa Insurance are listed in the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament.

travel health insurance schengen incoming protection

Schengen Visa FAQ´s

On your visa sticker the section “number of entries” indicates how many times you could enter the Schengen area: “1”, “2” or “MULT”. The holder of a multiple entry visa (“MULT”) may enter the Schengen Area an unlimited number of times during the validity of the Schengen Visa”
A visa application must be submitted at the embassy or consulate of the country intended to visit, and if someone intends to visit more than one Schengen Country, the consulate of the country of the primary destination.
It is advised to apply for a Schengen Visa at least 15-30 days or two weeks before the day of the intended visit, since it is the time that the Consulate takes to reach a decision. However, applications can be lodged no more than three months before the day of the intended visit.

More FAQ´s could be found in our Frequently Asked Section. We are also happy to answer your question in our large Schengen Visa community group.