How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

To apply for a Schengen visa you complete one common application form, apply at the consulate of your main destination, book an appointment to give your fingerprints and photo, and include mandatory travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 euros. A short-stay Schengen visa lets you visit for up to 90 days in any 180 day period.

What the Schengen visa is

The Schengen short-stay visa, also called a Type C visa, lets travellers from outside the area visit for tourism, family, or business for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. It covers the 29 countries in the Schengen area, so one visa can let you move between them during your trip. You can read the official overview on the European Commission site at home-affairs.ec.europa.eu.

Which country do you apply to

This trips up a lot of first-time applicants. You do not simply apply to the first country you think of. The rule is:

• Apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the most time (your main destination).
• If your stays are of equal length in more than one country, apply at the consulate of the country you will enter first.

Working out the right consulate before you book anything saves a lot of hassle later. It is one of the details we help you get right.

Step by step

• Work out your main destination and the correct consulate.
• Complete the single harmonised Schengen application form.
• Gather your supporting documents, including your insurance certificate.
• Book an appointment at the consulate or its visa application centre (VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS).
• Attend in person and give your biometrics, meaning ten fingerprints and a photo. If you gave fingerprints for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you may be able to reuse them.
• Wait for the decision and collect your passport.

Fees

The standard visa fee is 90 euros for adults, 45 euros for children aged 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. The fee went up on 11 June 2024. A visa application centre may add its own service fee on top. Because fees change, confirm the current amount on the European Commission page or your destination consulate’s website before you pay.

Travel insurance (required)

Travel medical insurance is not optional for a Schengen visa. Your policy must provide at least 30,000 euros of cover for emergency medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation, and it must be valid across the whole Schengen area for the full length of your trip. Buy a policy that clearly states these points, then include the certificate with your application. We tell you exactly what your policy needs to show.

Documents that help

Alongside the form, photo, and insurance, a strong application usually includes a round-trip flight reservation or itinerary, proof of accommodation such as a hotel booking or a host’s invitation, bank statements showing enough funds, and evidence of your ties to home like a job or studies. The exact list can vary by consulate, so check the requirements for the country you are applying to.

How long it takes

A consulate normally decides within 15 calendar days, though it can take up to 45 days if your case needs closer review or extra documents. You can apply up to 6 months before you travel, and you should apply at least 15 days before your trip. Give yourself plenty of room, especially in busy travel seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit several countries on one Schengen visa? Yes. A short-stay visa lets you travel across the Schengen area within your 90 days, as long as you apply through the right main-destination consulate.

Is the insurance really mandatory? Yes. Without proof of travel medical insurance meeting the 30,000 euro minimum, your application can be refused. It is one of the fixed Schengen rules.

Can you guarantee approval? No. The consulate makes the decision. We prepare a complete, consistent file so your application is as strong as it can be.

Code X Elite provides document preparation and form-filling. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal or immigration advice. You submit your own application. Confirm current fees and document lists on the destination consulate’s official website.

Ready to start? See the Schengen visa service, browse our visa guides, or start your application now.