Schengen Visa for Tourists in 2025: A Complete Guide

The Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows you to travel freely within the Schengen area. As per the UN, the continent of Europe comprises 44 countries. Of these, 29 countries are part of the Schengen agreement. The Schengen agreement abolished internal borders between these 29 countries.

A Schengen visa is a unified visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for these 29 European countries. Therefore, a Schengen visa is the only visa you will need to travel to any of these 29 countries.

Citizens of these 29 Schengen countries do not require a visa to travel to other Schengen countries. Nationals from 65 nationalities can enter the Schengen area without a visa, whereas 104 non-EU nationals must obtain a Schengen visa before travel.

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Schengen Visa Policy

The Schengen visa policy was introduced in 1995, which abolished internal borders between the Schengen countries. 

Once you have obtained a Schengen visa, you can travel freely between the 29 Schengen member countries without any border controls. For example, if you enter France and would like to go to Germany, you will not pass through passport controls at the France-Germany border. 

Keep in mind that the Schengen visa policy only applies to the Schengen area and not to the entire European Union.

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Schengen visa countries

There are currently 29 countries in the Schengen area that you can visit with a single Schengen visa. Below is the list of countries.

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Czech Republic
6. Denmark
7. Estonia
8. Finland
9. France
10. Germany
11. Greece
12. Hungary
13. Iceland
14. Italy
15. Latvia
16. Liechtenstein
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Slovakia
26. Slovenia
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. Switzerland

Apart from the above 29 Schengen member countries, you can also travel to 53 non-Schengen countries VISA-FREE using a Schengen visa.

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Minimum passport validity required to enter the Schengen area

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from your planned departure from the Schengen area.

Example: If your trip is from Mar 10 to Mar 20, your passport must be valid at least until Jun 20.

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Schengen Visa Types

Those intending to visit the Schengen countries for tourism must either be visa-exempt or hold a valid Schengen visa from the embassy. 

These are the available Schengen visas for tourists:

• Visa EXEMPTION (ETIAS for all EU countries from 2026)
• Uniform Schengen Visa
  • Type-A (Airport Transit Visa)
  • Type-C (Short Stay Visa for stays less than 90 days)
    • Single-entry
    • Double-entry
    • Multiple-entry
  • Type-D (Long Stay Visa for stays of more than 90 days)
• Limited Territorial Schengen Visa

For this guide, we will focus only on visas for tourism intent, that is, Type-C Uniform Schengen visas. 

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Schengen Visa Exemption (some require ETIAS from late 2026)

Currently, 65 nationalities can enter the Schengen area without a visa. Though you do not require a visa, you must consider the total duration of your stay in the Schengen area and must carry the mandatory documents.

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Eligible countries

1. Albania
2. Andorra
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Argentina
5. Australia
6. Bahamas
7. Barbados
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Brazil
10. Brunei
11. Canada
12. Chile
13. Colombia
14. Costa Rica
15. Cyprus
16. Dominica
17. El Salvador
18. Georgia
19. Grenada
20. Guatemala
21. Honduras
22. Hong Kong
23. Ireland
24. Israel
25. Japan
26. Kiribati
27. Kosovo
28. Macau
29. Malaysia
30. Marshall Islands
31. Mauritius
32. Mexico
33. Micronesia
34. Moldova
35. Monaco
36. Montenegro
37. New Zealand
38. Nicaragua
39. North Macedonia
40. Palau
41. Panama
42. Paraguay
43. Peru
44. Samoa
45. San Marino
46. Serbia
47. Seychelles
48. Singapore
49. Solomon Islands
50. South Korea
51. St Kitts and Nevis
52. St Lucia
53. St Vincent and the Grenadines
54. Taiwan
55. Timor-Leste
56. Tonga
57. Trinidad and Tobago
58. Tuvalu
59. Ukraine
60. United Arab Emirates
61. United Kingdom
62. United States of America
63. Uruguay
64. Vatican City State (Holy See)
65. Venezuela

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Duration of stay in Schengen Area – the 90 days/180 days rule

Non-EU Passport holders who are visa EXEMPT are allowed to stay in the Schengen area countries for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. This “90 days in any 180 days” applies to all short-stay visitors to the Schengen area.

• Stays in EU countries that are NOT part of the Schengen area (Cyprus and Ireland) are not counted in calculating the period of stay.
• Stays in non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are counted in calculating the period of stay compliance with the 90-day / 180-day rule.
• Both the day of entry and the day of exit are counted in the calculation.
• The 180-day period is referenced backward from the day of checking.
• A simple rule of thumb is, if you are out of the Schengen area for a continuous period of 90 days allows you a new stay of 90 days.

You can use the official Schengen calculator to determine the number of days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area. Here is the official manual on how to use the Schengen calculator.

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Documents to carry

Visa EXEMPT individuals must carry the following documents when entering the Schengen member states.

• Valid passport
• Proof of onward travel
• Proof of accommodation

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Schengen Visa from the Embassy or Consulate

Currently, 104 non-EU nationals require a visa to enter the Schengen area. These nationals must be in possession of a Schengen visa when entering the Schengen zone.

Visa required countries

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Angola
4. Armenia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Bahrain
7. Bangladesh
8. Belarus
9. Belize
10. Benin
11. Bhutan
12. Bolivia
13. Botswana
14. Burkina Faso
15. Burma/Myanmar
16. Burundi
17. Cambodia
18. Cameroon
19. Cape Verde
20. Central African Republic
21. Chad
22. China
23. Comoros
24. Congo
25. Cote d’Ivoire
26. Cuba
27. Democratic Republic Of Congo
28. Djibouti
29. Dominican Republic
30. Ecuador
31. Egypt
32. Equatorial Guinea
33. Eritrea
34. Eswatini
35. Ethiopia
36. Fiji
37. Gabon
38. Gambia
39. Ghana
40. Guinea
41. Guinea-Bissau
42. Guyana
43. Haiti
44. India
45. Indonesia
46. Iran
47. Iraq
48. Jamaica
49. Jordan
50. Kazakhstan
51. Kenya
52. Kuwait
53. Kyrgyzstan
54. Laos
55. Lebanon
56. Lesotho
57. Liberia
58. Libya
59. Madagascar
60. Malawi
61. Maldives
62. Mali
63. Mauritania
64. Mongolia
65. Morocco
66. Mozambique
67. Namibia
68. Nauru
69. Nepal
70. Niger
71. Nigeria
72. North Korea
73. Oman
74. Pakistan
75. Papua New Guinea
76. Philippines
77. Qatar
78. Russia
79. Rwanda
80. São Tomé and Príncipe
81. Saudi Arabia
82. Senegal
83. Sierra Leone
84. Somalia
85. South Africa
86. South Sudan
87. Sri Lanka
88. Sudan
89. Suriname
90. Syria
91. Tajikistan
92. Tanzania
93. Thailand
94. Togo
95. Tunisia
96. Turkey
97. Turkmenistan
98. Uganda
99. Uzbekistan
100. Vanuatu
101. Vietnam
102. Yemen
103. Zambia
104. Zimbabwe

IMPORTANT: Palestine is not recognized by at least one Schengen member state. If you are a Palestinian national, please inquire at your nearest Schengen consulate for visa requirements for your passport.

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Validity of Schengen Visa

Schengen visas can be short-term or long-term in validity. The short-term visas are usually issued to first-time applicants, whereas long-term visas are issued to frequent travelers.

The Schengen visa validity depends on whether you are a first-time applicant or a subsequent applicant.

Schengen visas with short-term validity

If you are applying for the first time, your visa will be valid for the exact number of days you have asked for. In some instances, you may get a few buffer days in addition. 

For example, if your itinerary is 12 days, your visa will be valid for exactly 12 days. 

As a first-time visa applicant, I suggest adding a few extra days to your itinerary so you will get a few extra days on your visa validity. That way, you can have some flexibility in your travel plans.

First-time Schengen visas are usually single-entry or multiple-entry. 

Schengen visas with long-term validity

If you are applying for the second or third time, you may likely get a visa valid for 90 days. The visa may likely be multiple-entry, too.

Rules for obtaining Schengen visa valid for 1, 2 or 5 years

• To obtain a 1-year Schengen visa, you must have obtained and used 3 Schengen visas within the last 2 years
• To obtain a 2-year Schengen visa, you must have obtained and used a 1-year Schengen visa within the last 2 years
• To obtain a 5-year Schengen visa, you must have obtained and used a 2-year Schengen visa within the last 3 years

Schengen visa cascade regime for Indian, Indonesian and Turkish applicants

There is a special cascade system in place for Indian, Indonesian and Turkish applicants. Applicants from these countries can obtain 2 and 5-year Schengen visas. They must have held and used short-term Schengen visas responsibly.

• 2-year Schengen visa: To obtain a 2-year Schengen visa, you must have obtained and used at least 2 short-term Schengen visas within the last 3 years.
• 5-year Schengen visa: To obtain a 5-year Schengen visa, you must have obtained and used a 2-year Schengen visa

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Duration of Stay in Schengen area – the 90 days/180 days rule

Visa-required passport holders are allowed to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. This “90 days in any 180 days” applies to all short-stay visitors to the Schengen area.

• Stays in EU countries that are NOT part of the Schengen area (Cyprus and Ireland) are not counted in calculating the period of stay.
• Stays in non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are counted in calculating the period of stay compliance with the 90 days / 180-day rule.
• Both the day of entry and the day of exit are counted in the calculation.
• The 180-day period is referenced backward from the day of checking.
• A simple rule of thumb is, if you are out of the Schengen area for a continuous period of 90 days allows you a new stay of 90 days.

You can use the official Schengen calculator to determine the number of days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area. Here is the manual on how to use the Schengen calculator.

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Where to apply for Schengen visa

Most tourists plan to travel to more than one country during their European trip. The Schengen visa is valid for 29 countries, so you must first determine your Schengen country of application. This helps greatly in avoiding visa delays and refusals.

Follow the guidelines below to determine your country of application.

CASE 1: If you plan to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply for your visa at the consulate of that particular country.

Example: If you are traveling to Spain only, then you must apply for your visa at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

CASE 2: If you plan to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for your visa at the consulate of the country of your main destination (the country where you will be spending most days).

Example: If your itinerary is 10 days, of which 4 days are in Spain and 6 days are in France, then you must apply for your visa at the French consulate since you will be spending more time in France.

CASE 3: If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination (same number of days in each country), then you should apply for your visa at the consulate of the country of your first point of entry.

Example: If your itinerary is 10 days, of which you will be spending 5 days in the Netherlands first and 5 days in France after, then you must apply for a visa at the Netherlands Consulate since the Netherlands is your first port of entry.

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When to apply for Schengen visa

You must apply for your Schengen visa no later than 15 days before your travel. Otherwise, your application will not be accepted.

You can apply for your visa up to 6 months in advance. So, apply as soon as you can to avoid delays, refusals and disappointments.

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Schengen Visa Application Process

There is a plan to implement online systems for Schengen visas. But as of now, the visa can only be applied for in person. The visa application is a 4-step process

1. Fill out your Schengen visa application form 14076-02 (online or offline)
2. Schedule an in-person Schengen visa appointment (at the consulate or visa agent such as VFS Global)
3. Appear in person to submit your visa application, documents, biometrics and visa fee
4. Pick up your original passport with the approved visa.

You can apply for a Schengen visa through a visa/travel agency in some countries. Travel agencies that offer vacation packages to Europe are usually allowed to apply for the visa on your behalf.

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Documents required for Schengen visa

The following documents are required for your Schengen visa.

1. Filled and signed visa application form (online or downloadable from the consulate page)
2. Original passport
3. One recent passport-size photo
4. Copy of the visa/residence permit if applying in a third country
5. Confirmed round-trip flight reservation
6. Proof of accommodation
7. Proof of health insurance
8. 3-month bank statement
9. 3-month salary slips
10. Original signed employment letter
11. Cover letter with a detailed itinerary

1. Application Form

Filling out the application form can be done online or offline, depending on the Schengen country. For example, the application form for France is online, whereas for Spain, it’s paper.

2. Passport requirements

You must have a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date from the Schengen area. Your passport must also contain at least 2 blank pages.

3. Photo Requirements

The photo must be 4.5cm x 3.5cm. That is, 4.5cm high and 3.5 cm wide. The face must be 3.2 to 3.6cm or 70-80% of the photo.

4. Proof of Health Insurance

It’s MANDATORY to submit travel medical insurance for Schengen visa. You must attach a certificate of travel health insurance in the Schengen area or worldwide with 100% coverage with no deductibles or co-pays.

It must have a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR for medical, hospitalization, emergencies and repatriation services.

You can purchase Schengen travel insurance from any online provider. You can cancel and get a refund if your visa is denied. Once you purchase the travel insurance for your desired dates, you can download the visa letter that you can submit with your visa application.

Recommended Schengen visa insurance:

• VisitorsCoverage | Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements | Costs $1 a day

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Schengen Visa Fee

The Schengen visa fee for an adult is 90 EUR. For children between the ages of 6 and 12, it’s 45 EUR. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from paying the visa fee.

There are some countries that have a lower fee. Below is the summary:

Schengen Visa Fee	Nationalities
35 EUR	Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus
67.50 EUR	Cabo Verde
90 EUR	All other countries
45 EUR	Children aged 6-12
0 EUR	Children aged less than 6

The fee must be paid in local currency, in the form of cash or a bank money order. Most Schengen consulates have outsourced the visa process to VFS or BLS. Therefore, in addition to the visa fee, you may have to pay a fee for biometric collection and courier services.

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Schengen Visa Processing Time

Schengen visa processing can take from 15 calendar days to 45 calendar days, depending on the consulate, country or agent. Apply no later than 15 days before your travel. Otherwise, your application will not be accepted.

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Entry and Exit Procedure at the Airport

Entering Schengen Zone by Air

You do not need to fill in any arrival/departure card on entering the Schengen area. Do not panic if your flight attendant did not give you an arrival/departure card on your flight.

At immigration, you will generally be asked about your final destination, places you will be visiting and the number of days you are planning on staying. You might also be asked if it is your first time in Europe.

The immigration officer will stamp your passport upon arrival. The number of days you are allowed to stay will not be marked on your passport.

As always, carry a copy of your return ticket and hotel booking just in case. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, don’t forget to get proof of onward ticket.

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Leaving Schengen Zone by Air

You must go through passport control on exiting the Schengen area. You will not be asked any questions unless you have overstayed your visa. Passport control is fairly quick, about 10-15 minutes depending on the airport.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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References:

• European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs
• European Union Law (EUR-Lex), Visa Code
• European Travel Information And Authorization System (ETIAS)

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