First: do you actually need a visa?
Nationals of 104 countries need a Schengen visa for a short stay. Citizens of 64 other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 — though from 2026 they'll register with ETIAS before travelling. Not sure which group you're in? The free eligibility check confirms it in two minutes, or read which visa type fits your trip.
Apply at your main destination's visa centre, three weeks to six months before you travel, with €90 and a complete document file. Everything below is the detail.
The application process, step by step
Nine steps from "do I need one?" to "visa in passport". The version no embassy website spells out plainly.
Determine your main destination
2 minutesIdentify the Schengen country where you'll spend the most nights — that consulate (or its appointed visa centre) handles your application. If you split your time equally between countries, apply through the one you'll enter first.
Check which visa centre handles your country
5 minutesSchengen states outsource intake to different operators — VFS Global, TLS Contact, BLS International or Capago — while a few still accept applications at the embassy directly. Each runs its own appointment portal, so confirm the right one before you book.
Run a free eligibility check
2 minutesNo sign-up. Confirms whether you actually need a visa, which type fits your trip, and the correct consulate. Two minutes here saves days of applying to the wrong place.
Run eligibility check →Complete the application form
20 minutesFill in the harmonised Schengen application form — trip dates, purpose, employment, finances and travel history. Our guided application wizard turns this into plain-English questions, auto-saves as you go, and generates your cover letter from your answers.
See visa requirements →Skip this step — Use the guided wizard
The form trips people up on dates, finances and purpose. Our guided application wizard asks plain-English questions, validates as you type and writes your cover letter for you.
Start the wizard →Gather your documents
1–2 daysCollect every supporting document: passport, biometric photos, €30,000 travel insurance, flight reservation, accommodation proof, bank statements and your employment or study letter. Most applicants lose a day waiting on an employer letter — start that early.
Document checklist →Get your file reviewed
2–4 working daysA trained specialist reads every document and your cover letter, cross-checks the dates against your bookings, and flags anything a consular officer would query — the errors that cause most refusals — before you submit.
Book your visa-centre appointment
Day 5–7Log into the operator's portal and choose the earliest slot. You can apply from six months before travel up to 15 working days before; aim for at least three weeks ahead to leave room for processing.
Attend and give biometrics
30 minutesBring your passport, biometric photo, printed pack and appointment confirmation. Ten fingerprints and a digital photo are captured and stored in the Visa Information System for five years (children under 12 are exempt). Most applicants have no interview at all.
Interview questions →Decision and passport collection
15 daysThe consulate decides — usually within 15 calendar days, occasionally up to 45, and exceptionally 60. You're notified by SMS or email, then collect at the centre or have your passport couriered back.
Where to apply
The right consulate is decided by where you'll spend your time — not by which one has the fastest appointments. Applying to the wrong country is one of the most common reasons a file is rejected outright.
| Your situation | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Visiting one country | Apply to that country's consulate or its appointed visa centre. |
| Visiting several countries | Apply through your main destination — the country where you'll spend the most nights. |
| Equal time in two or more | Apply through the country you'll enter the Schengen area first. |
| No consulate in your country | Apply through the country that officially represents your destination for visa intake. |
| Applying as a non-resident | Allowed only with a valid reason for not applying in your country of residence; expect extra questions. |
Documents you need
Every applicant submits the same core file. On top of that, you add documents for your trip's purpose and your employment status. Our document checklist tailors the full list to you; visa requirements covers the detail.
Core documents — everyone
| Document | What's required |
|---|---|
| Application form | The harmonised Schengen form, completed and signed. |
| Two passport photos | 35×45mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months. |
| Valid passport | Issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your return, with two blank pages. |
| Travel health insurance | €30,000 minimum cover, valid across the whole Schengen area for your trip. |
| Proof of accommodation | Hotel bookings or an invitation letter covering every night. |
| Round-trip itinerary | Flight reservation showing entry and exit (a reservation, not a paid ticket). |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements from the last 3 months, or a sponsor's statement plus a sponsorship letter. |
| Proof of paid fee | Receipt for the consulate fee. |
Extra documents by purpose
Extra documents by employment status
Biometrics
At your appointment, the centre captures ten fingerprints and a digital photo. These are stored in the EU's Visa Information System (VIS) for five years and reused on any application you make within that window, so most repeat applicants skip this step. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting. Biometrics cannot be given remotely — this is why no Schengen application is fully online.
Fees
The consulate fee is fixed across every Schengen state. The visa centre adds its own service charge, and the fee is non-refundable even if you're refused — another reason to get the file right first time. Full breakdown on our visa fees page.
| Applicant | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12 and over) | €90 | The standard consulate fee, identical across all member states. |
| Child (6–11) | €45 | Reduced consulate fee. |
| Child (under 6) | Free | No consulate fee. |
| VAC service charge | €20–€45 | Added by VFS/TLS/BLS/Capago per applicant, on top of the consulate fee. |
Processing time
The EU Visa Code sets the timetable. Plan around the standard window and apply early — you can submit up to six months before travel, and no later than 15 working days before.
| Scenario | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard decision | 15 calendar days from your appointment. |
| Extended scrutiny | Up to 45 days when the consulate needs to examine your file further. |
| Exceptional cases | Up to 60 days where additional documents are requested. |
What's changing: EES & ETIAS
Two EU systems are reshaping how short stays are tracked, and most guides haven't caught up. The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with a digital record of every entry and exit — it applies to visa holders and visa-free travellers alike. ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors only; if you hold a Schengen visa, you don't need it. Knowing which applies to you avoids paying for the wrong thing.
Common mistakes that cause refusals
- Applying to the wrong consulate. Use your main destination, not the country with the quickest slot.
- Insurance below €30,000 or that doesn't cover the whole Schengen area for your full dates.
- Booking gaps. Accommodation and flights must cover every night of the stay you declare.
- Inconsistent dates between your form, flights, hotels and insurance.
- Thin proof of funds — roughly €60 per day per person is the working norm consulates look for.
- Leaving it too late. Appointment waits stretch for weeks in peak season; apply early.
Ready to start?
Skip the manual nine-step crawl — our guided application wizard runs the form, validates your file and writes your cover letter in about twenty minutes. See what's included on pricing.
Start the wizard →Frequently asked questions
How long does a Schengen visa take to process?
Usually 15 calendar days from your appointment. It can extend to 45 days if the consulate needs to examine your file further, and exceptionally up to 60 days when extra documents are requested. Apply at least three weeks before you travel.
When can I apply for a Schengen visa?
You can apply from six months before your trip (nine months for seafarers) and no later than 15 working days before you travel. Earlier is safer during the busy summer and Christmas seasons.
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
The consulate fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–11; under-6s are free. A visa centre also charges a service fee of roughly €20–€45 per applicant on top.
Where do I apply if I'm visiting several Schengen countries?
Apply through your main destination — the country where you'll spend the most nights. If your time is split equally, apply through the country you'll enter first.
Can I apply for a Schengen visa online?
Some countries let you start the form or book the appointment online, but you must attend in person to give fingerprints and submit your documents. Biometrics cannot be done remotely.
Do I need to give biometrics every time?
No. Your ten fingerprints are stored in the Visa Information System for five years and reused on later applications within that window. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.
Will there be an interview?
Most short-stay applicants have no formal interview. If your file is flagged — a previous refusal, an unusual purpose or weak ties to home — expect a short five-to-fifteen-minute Q&A.
Do I still need ETIAS once it launches?
ETIAS is for visa-exempt travellers, not Schengen visa holders. If you hold a valid Schengen visa you do not need ETIAS. Everyone, though, will be recorded by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at the border.
Keep going
- Schengen visa types — pick the right category for your trip.
- Visa requirements — the full document detail.
- Document checklist — tailored to your situation.
- Visa fees — every cost, start to finish.
- Interview guide — 110+ questions with model answers.
- Applying from the UK — the local process and providers.