Please check if a Schengen Visa is needed
Please find here some general information concerning the Schengen Visa.
Where do you apply for a European Schengen visa? Which embassy or consulate do you apply to for a Schengen visa?
If you are intending to visit just one Schengen country, you will need to apply for a visa with the embassy or the consulate of that particular country.
If you are looking to visit several Schengen countries, you will need to apply for a visa with the embassy or the consulate of the country that is your main destination.
If you are intending to visit several Schengen countries, but do not have a main destination, you will need to apply for a visa with the embassy or the consulate of the country where you will be entering the Schengen territory. (This link provides the list of the various embassies or consulates of the Schengen countries inside Europe)
Presently, 25 EU countries are part of the European Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Please note: the United Kingdom and Ireland are not Schengen countries.
In a practical sense: How to apply for a European Schengen visa?
The first thing to do is to check whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa. Click here for the nationalities that require a Schengen visa for a stay of less than three months.
Fill in an application form beforehand to obtain a valid travel visa for the European Schengen Area. Download and print off your Schengen visa application form here in different languages free of charge:
English version
French version
Spanish version
Before making your way to the embassy or the consulate of the European Schengen country you need, please make sure you are carrying:
A valid national passport
Evidence showing the purpose of your trip, such as hotel reservations, … as well as documents that prove your family connection, if you are intending to visit family
Documentary proof that shows you have sufficient financial means of support (*)
Proof that you have taken out a valid European Schengen travel insurance. At a minimum, this travel insurance is to provide cover for repatriation, hospital admission expenses, medical expenses and assistance in case of death. This European Schengen travel insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen territory and be issued by an insurer from this area.
A round trip travel ticket (to be presented at the time the visa is awarded).
