Documents to carry in hand luggage
- Passport with your visa (or visa-exempt). Must be valid 3+ months after your return.
- Return / onward ticket showing you'll leave within the 90-day limit.
- Hotel reservations covering every night.
- Travel insurance printed out โ โฌ30k cover minimum.
- Proof of funds โ bank statement or recent transactions visible.
- Invitation letter if visiting friends / family / business.
Common questions at passport control
- "What's the purpose of your visit?" Tourism, business, family. Match what's on your visa.
- "How long are you staying?" Give a precise answer in days, plus your return flight date.
- "Where are you staying?" Hotel name and city โ be ready to show the booking.
- "Do you have travel insurance?" Yes, โฌ30k Schengen-compliant. Show the printout if asked.
Calm and concise wins. Long, detailed answers raise more questions, not fewer.
EES biometric registration
From late 2025, every non-EU traveller goes through EES at the external Schengen border. Your first entry takes 5โ10 extra minutes; later entries are faster (facial recognition matches you to your stored record). See our full EES guide.
If entry is refused
Officers can refuse entry even with a valid visa if they suspect overstay risk, mismatched purpose, or document irregularities. You're entitled to a written reason and to appeal. The carrier (airline / ferry) is then responsible for returning you.
Heading to Schengen soon?
If your trip is imminent, run our eligibility check or start the application โ we'll have you ready in under 25 minutes total.
Start your application โ