Schengen visas, made easy

From expert consultation to fully handling your application, we offer the complete range of Schengen visa services — your trusted, proven partner every step of the way.

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We guide you through every step of your application

Whatever your route, you get the same trusted VisaHQ expertise — whether you just need advice or want us to take the whole process off your plate.

Consultation

Expert guidance — you submit the application yourself.

Answer all your questions
Explain your destination’s specific requirements
Pre-check your documents before the embassy visit
Prepare you for the interview
Help you complete the application form

Done for you

Full service

We manage your application end-to-end — where available for your country.

Everything in Consultation, plus:
Gather and prepare the correct documents
Complete and manage your application forms
Appointment scheduling where required — subject to availability and the visa centre’s, consulate’s or authority’s procedures
Meet & Greet support in selected locations — subject to local availability during submission
Keep your case on track end-to-end

20+ years of expertise1M+ travelers served29 Schengen countries covered

Which option is available depends on your citizenship and destination — start above and we’ll show you the exact path for your trip.

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VisaHQ does not handle the physical submission in every country; submission support, Meet & Greet and appointment scheduling depend on your destination and local availability.

Schengen visa information

A Schengen visa is a travel document that allows a person to enter the Schengen Area for a designated period of time. The Schengen Area is made up of European states that have abolished internal border checks and apply a common visa policy.

As of 2026 the Schengen Area includes 29 member countries — 25 European Union states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. A valid Schengen visa issued by any member state lets you travel freely to the other Schengen states for the duration of your stay, as long as you have proof of your travel arrangements. You normally enter the area through the country of the issuing authority or your main destination.

A Schengen visa is the perfect way to discover Europe — one document opens the door to dozens of countries, letting you experience the continent’s remarkable diversity and immerse yourself in its many cultures and local traditions.

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On this page

Everything about Schengen visas

Schengen visa countries Requirements & documents How it works Visa fees Do I need a visa? FAQ

29 member states

Schengen visa countries

Select a country below for visa requirements. The newest members — Croatia (2023) and Bulgaria & Romania (full members since January 2025) — are now part of the Schengen Area.

Requirements & documents

Everything you need for a Schengen short-stay application, grouped by type. Always also check the specific requirements of the country you are visiting.

Passport & identity

Passport valid at least 3 months after departure from the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
Recent passport-type photo meeting Schengen photo requirements (45×35 mm, neutral expression, no glasses, light background).
Copies of all prior visas issued to Schengen states.

Application form

Completed and signed Schengen Visa Application form (no blank fields — write “N/A” where it does not apply).
Apply at the consulate of your main (longest-stay) destination, or the country you enter the Schengen Area through first.

Travel & accommodation

Flight reservations and hotel/accommodation bookings for the whole stay, with entry/exit dates and booking references.
Contact information for a reference in the destination country.
Letter of invitation — if attending an event, meeting or conference.

Financial means

Proof of sufficient funds — bank statement and other financial documents.
Proof of stable income — tax information, etc.
Proof of employment or enrolment in your country of residence.

Travel insurance

Medical cover of at least €30,000, valid in every Schengen state — not only your destination country.
Insurance usually also covers lost luggage, cancelled flights and other force-majeure events.

* All documents are to be A4 format. Some countries may also require proof of entrepreneur status, family status (e.g. marriage certificate) or a national passport.

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How it works

Applying for a Schengen visa is done in person at the consulate — there is currently no online submission. Here is the full path from start to passport pickup.

Check if you need a Schengen visa and pick the country you’ll apply to (your main, longest-stay destination).

Download, complete and sign the application form — leave no blank fields (write “N/A” where needed).

Get travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across all Schengen states.

Prepare your financial proof — bank statement and documents showing sufficient funds.

Book your consulate/embassy appointment — at least 15 days before travel, and no earlier than 6 months.

Attend in person and submit your documents. Some countries (e.g. Italy, France) take biometrics, stored in the VIS for reuse on future applications.

Collect your passport — consulates usually decide within 15 days (up to 30–45 in peak season).

VisaHQ takes the hard part off your plate — we pre-check your documents, help complete the forms and prepare you for the consulate appointment, so your in-person visit goes smoothly. A Schengen visa is finalized in person at the consulate.

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Schengen visa fees

A nominal, non-refundable consular fee is payable when applying. Approval is at the discretion of the consulate.

Visa type	Visa fee
Short stay (up to 90 days)	90.00 EUR
Children visa (6–11 years old)	45 EUR
Children visa (under 6 years old)	Free / Gratis
Long-term stay (over 90 days)	99.00 EUR
Citizens of countries with an EU visa-facilitation agreement (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cape Verde)	35 EUR
Students & accompanying teachers travelling for educational purposes (proof needed)	Free
Researchers travelling for scientific research purposes (proof needed)	Free
Non-profit representatives aged 25 or below travelling for educational events	Free

* Different rates may apply for different Schengen countries.

Do I need a Schengen visa?

Type your country of citizenship to check instantly. You may also apply from your country of permanent residence, not only your country of citizenship.

The countries below require a Schengen visa before travelling (Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806). Nationals of all other countries are either visa-exempt for short stays (Annex II) or have EU/EEA free movement; holders of a valid Schengen residence permit are also exempt.

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo Republic
Ivory Coast
Cuba
Congo Democratic Republic
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Swaziland
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
Sao Tome Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Schengen visa map

Schengen Area (EU)

Schengen Area (non-EU)

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FAQ

Schengen visa: frequently asked questions

Clear answers on getting a Schengen visa, using it across Europe, and the perks it unlocks for travelers.

What exactly is a Schengen visa, and where can I travel with it?

A short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) is a single travel authorization that opens 29 European countries with one application. Once it is in your passport you can cross internal borders freely — fly from Spain to Italy or take a train from Germany to Austria — without showing the visa again. As of 2025 the area covers every EU member except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland; Bulgaria and Romania became full members in January 2025.

How long can I stay in the Schengen Area on a short-stay visa?

The limit is 90 days within any rolling 180-day period, counted across all member states combined — not 90 days per country. Each time you enter, border officers look back over the previous 180 days, so several short trips in one season still draw from the same 90-day budget. Overstaying can lead to fines, deportation and future entry bans, so it pays to track your days precisely.

When should I apply, and how long does processing take?

You can lodge an application up to six months before departure and no later than 15 calendar days before you travel. Consulates usually decide within 15 calendar days, but during the busy summer and winter-holiday peaks this can stretch to 30–45 days. Applying early is the single most reliable way to protect non-refundable flight and hotel bookings.

If I am visiting several countries, which one do I apply to?

Apply to the consulate of your main destination — the country where you will spend the most nights. If the time is split evenly with no clear main destination, apply to the country through which you first enter the Schengen Area. Submitting to the wrong consulate is a frequent reason applications are handed back unprocessed.

How much does a Schengen visa cost in 2025?

Since 11 June 2024 the standard consular fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged six to eleven; children under six pay nothing. Reduced or waived fees apply to certain groups, such as students travelling to study and nationals of countries with visa-facilitation agreements. Because the fee is set by EU law it is identical at every Schengen consulate, and it is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.

What is the difference between single-entry and multiple-entry visas?

A single-entry visa lets you enter the Schengen Area once; if you leave — even for a quick trip to a non-Schengen country — the visa is used up. A multiple-entry visa allows repeated entries while it is valid, which suits multi-leg itineraries and frequent business travel. Consulates increasingly grant long-validity multiple-entry visas of one to five years to applicants with a clean travel record.

Can I work or study long-term on a Schengen visa?

No. The short-stay Schengen visa is meant only for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences and similar short trips. Paid employment or a course longer than 90 days requires a national long-stay visa (Type D) issued by the specific country, which follows a separate application route with its own documents and conditions.

What are the most common reasons for refusal, and how do I avoid them?

The usual culprits are weak proof of funds, missing or insufficient travel medical insurance (it must cover at least €30,000 in every member state), travel dates that do not match across bookings, and a thin case for your ties to home that fails to show you will return. A coherent, fully documented file — ideally pre-checked before your appointment — sharply lowers the refusal risk.

Does a Schengen visa guarantee entry to Europe?

Not on its own. A visa is permission to travel to the external border and ask to enter; the final call belongs to the border officer. Keep your supporting documents — return ticket, accommodation, insurance and proof of funds — in your hand luggage, because you may be asked to show them on arrival even with a valid visa.

Why use VisaHQ instead of applying on my own?

VisaHQ reviews your documents before you ever reach the consulate, flags the gaps that cause refusals, helps you fill in the application form correctly, and prepares you for the interview — drawing on more than 20 years of Schengen visa experience. For a first-time applicant juggling insurance, bookings and financial proof, that pre-check is often the difference between a smooth approval and a costly second attempt.