Schengen Visa Requirements & Application Guide
Last reviewed July 2026
The Schengen Area covers 29 European countries under one shared short-stay visa policy — including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. If you're planning tourism, a family visit, or business travel of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, this guide covers exactly what's required and how the process works, end to end.
29
Countries covered
15+
Days processing
Eligibility summary
For tourism, family visits, or business trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, across any of the 29 Schengen countries. An in-person appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) is required for most applicants.
Age-specific rules
- Valid passport (3+ months beyond your stay)
- Travel insurance, €30,000 minimum coverage
- Bank statements, last 3 months
- Employment proof (contract or business registration)
- Proof of accommodation
- Detailed travel itinerary
- Cover letter explaining purpose of visit
Passport photo requirements
- Taken within the last 6 months, against a plain light-coloured background
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible
- No glasses, headwear, or shadows across the face (religious headwear is usually an exception)
- Correct size — typically 35mm × 45mm, but this varies by consulate
- Printed on quality photo paper, not a home printout, if submitting physically
Processing guidance
Standard EU processing: 15+ days. Book your appointment as early as your consulate allows — slots can fill up quickly during peak season.
Which visa centre handles your application?
Select your country of residence.
How to apply, step by step
- 1Confirm which Schengen country to apply through — usually your main destination, or your first point of entry if your time is split evenly across several
- 2Build your personalised document checklist in GetTravixa, based on that country and your travel dates
- 3Upload your documents for AI review, so issues are caught before they reach the embassy
- 4Book your appointment at a VFS Global or TLScontact visa application centre
- 5Attend your appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your application
- 6Track your embassy-ready status and download your full application summary
GetTravixa doesn't book your appointment or submit your application for you — you complete and submit everything yourself. GetTravixa is not an immigration authority, law firm, or consulate, and doesn't guarantee visa approval.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking non-refundable flights or hotels before your visa is approved
- Travel insurance that doesn't meet the €30,000 minimum coverage requirement
- Bank statements with unexplained large deposits, or that don't cover the full requested period
- A cover letter that doesn't match the dates on your itinerary or insurance
- Applying through the wrong Schengen country's consulate for your trip