Schengen Area

One short-stay visa gives access to all Schengen member states. You apply to the country where you will spend the most nights, or the first one you enter.

Where you apply
Consulate or visa centre of your main destination
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photo, valid 59 months
Appointment
Required; slots can be booked out weeks ahead
Insurance minimum
€30,000 medical cover across the area
Apply from
Up to 6 months before travel, at least 15 days ahead

Good to know

  • The 90/180 rule is counted across the whole area, not per country. Days spent in any member state use up the same allowance.
  • You apply to the country of your longest stay. If nights are split evenly, apply to your first point of entry.
  • Insurance must cover repatriation and emergency treatment, and must be valid in every member state you enter.
  • Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not the Schengen Area, and need their own visa.

Requirements vary by nationality

We do not publish an automated eligibility check — the rules change too often for that to be honest. A consultant confirms your exact checklist in writing before any work starts.

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Available visa types

Tourist visa (type C)

Visa

Short-stay visa for holidays, sightseeing and visiting friends across the Schengen Area.

Validity — Up to 5 years for repeat travellers; single entry is common on a first application
Stay — Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Processing — 15–45 calendar days (estimate)
Stampwise service feefrom USD 89
Government / visa centre feeUSD 95 (estimate)
Paid at cost, subject to change.
View requirements

Business visa (type C)

Visa

Short-stay visa for meetings, conferences, training and trade fairs in the Schengen Area.

Validity — Single or multiple entry, typically aligned to the invitation
Stay — Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Processing — 15–45 calendar days (estimate)
Stampwise service feefrom USD 99
Government / visa centre feeUSD 95 (estimate)
Paid at cost, subject to change.
View requirements

Family visit visa (type C)

Visa

Short-stay visa for visiting relatives who live in a Schengen country.

Validity — Usually matched to the length of the visit
Stay — Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Processing — 15–45 calendar days (estimate)
Stampwise service feefrom USD 89
Government / visa centre feeUSD 95 (estimate)
Paid at cost, subject to change.
View requirements

Member states

One Schengen visa covers the whole area, but you apply to the country you will spend most nights in, or the first one you enter. Each country has its own appointment system and visa-centre fee.

AustriaBelgiumCroatiaCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerland