Europe has been a top travel destination for millions of people the world over for decades. In fact, France alone
consistently ranks as the most visited country in the world, welcoming close to 90 million international visitors
each year (with Spain ranking a close second).
France, Spain, and dozens of other European nations, meanwhile, also happen to be members of the Schengen Zone. And that means
that if you too are planning an upcoming trip to Europe, chances are you’ll need to apply for a Schengen
visa first. Fortunately, AXA can help you do just that — with our comprehensive guide below!
What is a Schengen Visa (and do I need one)?
So, just in case — why exactly might you need that visa is mainly due to what’s known as the Schengen Agreement. Originally signed by five European nations in 1985 in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, it was designed to make travel easier for millions of Europeans near and far. And, in short, it essentially resulted in most of Europe today being split into Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries. Nationals of Schengen countries (and/or the European Union), therefore, now have the luxury of traveling to, from, and throughout all Schengen member countries without a visa.
However, if you are not a citizen of the Schengen Area (and/or the EU), then to visit France, Spain, Germany,
or any other Schengen territory you’ll likely need to apply for a Schengen visa.
But fear not — if you’re not sure where you stand, AXA can tell you all about who needs a Schengen visa
and who doesn’t need
a Schengen visa too.
What type of Schengen visa should I apply for?
You also want to be sure you’re applying for the right type of Schengen visa for your
particular trip. And you usually have four to choose from: business, work, student, and short-stay.
The most common one is the short-stay
visa (aka Type C, aka “tourist” visa) — which allows you to travel to (and
throughout) all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. And that’s probably your best
bet.
However, if you’re planning more than one trip, you might need a multiple-entry
visa.
Meanwhile, if you have connecting flights at a Schengen airport or two, you might need to apply for the Type A
(aka “airport transit”/ATV) visa.*
*Keep in mind that the Type A visa only applies to certain nationalities (and you can learn more about it in
our “Who needs a Schengen Visa” piece above).
And, finally — if you’re planning to stay in a particular Schengen country for more than 90 days, you’ll have
to opt not necessarily for a Schengen visa but rather a national (aka Type D) visa from that particular
nation.
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But don’t worry, AXA can gladly tell you all about the different types of Schengen visas — and which one will suit your European travel needs best — too.
What documents do I need to apply for a Schengen visa?
No matter which Schengen visa you choose, to apply, you’re going to need to adhere to some very specific Schengen visa requirements — mainly in the form of paperwork. So let’s start with a quick checklist of what exactly that paperwork is (along with corresponding links to more info so you don’t miss anything):
- Your Passport (valid for at least three months after your intended departure from the Schengen area);
- Two identical passport-style photos (PRO-TIP: Check our Schengen visa photo requirements section to make sure you got the right headshot);
- A Schengen visa application form (PRO-TIP: AXA can also gladly guide you through how to fill out the Schengen visa application form in 10 easy steps);
- Your Itinerary
- Schengen travel insurance (IMPORTANT NOTE: Proper travel insurance is a mandatory Schengen visa requirement — but more on that below!)
- An invitation letter to the Schengen area (if applicable);
- Proof of means of subsistence (if applicable);
- A no-objection letter (if applicable);
- Proof of accommodation (if applicable);
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The actual amount and type of paperwork you need will obviously vary slightly depending on your
particular situation. So make sure to double-check all your paperwork with the proper channels — such as
the European Commission and the official websites/consulates/embassies of both your home
and Schengen destination countries — before you apply.
When should I apply for my Schengen visa?
You should submit your Schengen visa application — no matter where you’re going — no earlier than 6 months and no later than 2 weeks before your trip
A Step-by-Step guide to applying for your Schengen visa
And now here’s AXA’s simple 5-step guide to applying for your Schengen Visa in style:
Step 1: Choose your Schengen destination(s) and figure out where to apply
Whether it’s France, Spain, Luxembourg, or anywhere in between — you’ll need to apply via the consulate or
embassy* of the country you wish to visit.
If you’re going to multiple countries, apply with the country where you’ll stay the longest.
And if you’re spending equal time in multiple countries, apply to the first country you’ll enter (as per the
Schengen visa first point of
entry rules).
*PRO-TIP: You can find the Schengen consulate and/or embassy you need courtesy of the European
Commission.
And keep in mind that many Schengen countries also outsource their visa application process to companies like
VFS Global, which have centers all around the world — but more on specific Schengen countries below!
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance for Schengen visa and Europe from €5*
AXA Schengen is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This travel insurance meets all the requirements demanded, covers you in all the countries of the Schengen Area as well as 4 European microstates (Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco and San Marino).
Get a quoteStep 2: Complete and sign the Schengen visa application form
Depending on your particular country and situation, you can either download the aforementioned form from your chosen consulate’s website or complete and submit it online.
Either way, ensure that all details are accurate and match your passport, itinerary, and so on.
Step 3: Gather the necessary documents
Get the rest of your paperwork in order (see above), and make sure that everything is up-to-date.
It’s a good call to make extra copies (PRO-TIP: And best not to staple any documents either).
Step 4: Schedule an appointment
Next, you’ll need to book an appointment for an in-person interview and biometric collection. You
can do this via the consulate, embassy, or visa application center of your destination country. And their
official website(s) will usually list a phone number, email, or other way to do that.
Clear your schedule in advance and save the date!
Step 5: Attend the interview, submit your application, and pay the application fee
And, finally, once prompted — gather all the required documents above and attend your in-person interview.
And relax, you got this. The in-person interview is a formal setting where you’ll be asked a few questions
regarding your trip, have your fingerprints and photo taken, and then be on your way.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that at this point you’ll also need to pay the Schengen visa fee (we can tell you more
about how much the Schengen
visa costs too).
And then that’s it — you’re good to go!
Now comes the last (and arguably most difficult) step — that is, patiently waiting to hear back from the
consulate and/or visa application center regarding your Schengen visa. So don’t forget to breathe. And, if it
helps at all — know that AXA got your back no matter what!
How to apply for a Schengen Visa to (and from) a specific country
And not only do we have your back with the universal step-by-step guide above. We’ve also gone ahead and made comprehensive step-by-step guides for applying for a Schengen visa to and from specific countries as well — along with corresponding links to consulates, embassies, visa centers, application forms, and more!
How to apply to a specific Schengen country
First off, here’s how to get a visa for the majority of the individual Schengen countries themselves:
How to apply for a Schengen visa from India
Applying for a Schengen visa from India? We got you covered too:
- Schengen Visa from India (in general)
- Schengen Visa from Mumbai
- Schengen Visa from India to Belgium
- Schengen Visa from India to the Czech Republic
- Schengen Visa from India to Denmark
- Schengen Visa from India to Germany
- Schengen Visa from India to Greece
- Schengen Visa from India to France
- Schengen Visa from India to Iceland
- Schengen Visa from India to Italy
- Schengen Visa from India to The Netherlands
- Schengen Visa from India to Portugal
- Schengen Visa from India to Spain
- Schengen Visa from India to Switzerland
How to apply for a Schengen from specific countries
So that covers the Schengen Zone itself and India. But AXA can also gladly help you with dozens of
comprehensive, step-by-step guides on
how to get a Schengen visa FROM your particular
country (including how to get a Schengen Visa from the
U.K., a Schengen
Visa from the U.S., and more).
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance can take care of you
Travel Insurance for Schengen visa and Europe from €5*
Get a quoteHow can AXA help me apply for my Schengen visa?
And perhaps the best way AXA can help you not only apply for but also get your Schengen visa
is by doing what we do best — that is, providing top-quality, affordable Schengen travel insurance for your
trip.
Because, first off, having the proper travel insurance is mandatory for being granted a Schengen visa
(*PRO-TIP: And that’s before you start your actual application process!). Moreover, your plan must adhere to a
certain set of criteria.
Fortunately, all three AXA plans — Low-Cost, Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip — meet those
requirements (and more).
Plus, if your Schengen visa is denied, AXA will refund you in most cases. We’ll only ask that you provide the
appropriate documentation — that is an official explanation as to why your visa was refused from the proper
channels.
But there are plenty of other reasons to choose AXA — so explore and compare our three comprehensive
plans and get a free Schengen Travel Insurance quote
today. Because with AXA, not only is your trip to Europe is sure to be a safe one. But you’re also
ultimately one big step closer to being granted that Schengen visa — and, therefore, your Schengen journey
itself!
More helpful info regarding your Schengen visa application
And, finally, here are a few more comprehensive guides and info on applying for your Schengen visa to help guarantee that your journey is a smooth and safe one:
