Date : 10/09/2024
One of the most common questions people ask when planning a trip abroad — be it for vacation, work, school, or even a new life — is whether or not they’ll need a visa. And though not necessarily a universally familiar concept, when planning a trip to Europe — chances are the visa they’re talking about is none other than a Schengen visa.
Fortunately, Schengen travel insurance experts AXA have all you need to know about the Schengen visa (and all it entails) below!
What is the Schengen area?
First off, let’s start with the geography. The Schengen area is a territory of over 400 million square miles and comprising over two dozen nations. — mostly within mainland Europe — established with the implementation of the Schengen Agreement, which was signed in 1985.
What is the Schengen visa?
Per that agreement, nationals of the Schengen Zone (and the European Union) are permitted to travel to, from, and throughout the Schengen Area visa-free.
Meanwhile, most visitors from outside the Schengen Zone need to have a visa to cross any of its many borders. And that visa is known as a Schengen visa.
What is the difference between a normal visa and a Schengen visa?
A traditional visa typically refers to a visa issued for entry into a single country — and it, therefore, usually restricts travel anywhere beyond that one nation.
A Schengen visa, on the other hand, allows for travel within all Schengen Area countries. In other words, a Schengen visa simplifies travel to, from, within, and between dozens of European countries on a single permit.
Which Schengen countries issue visas?
Any and all Schengen Area member states can issue a Schengen visa. Moreover, once a Schengen member nation issues the visa, said visa is universally valid for any and all the other countries within this European zone — making the Schengen the largest area in the world that allows free movement without internal border controls.
Who needs a Schengen visa?
And since the Schengen Agreement, the European Union has established its own unique Visa Code — one that requires most visitors from outside the Schengen (and/or the European Union) to have a Schengen visa to cross any of the Schengen Zone's many borders. This applies to citizens of over a hundred countries (including all of Africa, most of Asia and the Middle East, Russia, and so on).
Who doesn’t need a Schengen visa?
Meanwhile, citizens of the European Union and the Schengen Zone itself can travel to and through the Schengen Zone visa-free.
Additionally, nationals of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and roughly 50 other nations can also visit the Schengen visa-free for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. And that’s because these countries have visa-waiver agreements with both the EU and the Schengen Zone.
The different types of Schengen visas
Generally speaking, there are four basic types of Schengen visa:business, work, student,andshort-stay.
The short-stay (aka “Type C” or “tourist”) visais the most common one, and it allows travel to (and throughout) all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
However, if you’re planning more than one trip, you’ll need amultiple-entry visa.
And if you’re planning to stay in a particular country for more than three months, you’ll have to opt not necessarily for a Schengen visa but rather anational (akaType D) visa — that is, with that particular nation.
Meanwhile, if you have connecting flights at a Schengen airport or two, you might need to apply for theType A(aka“airport transit”/ATV) visa. The Type A visa only applies to certain nationalities. Nevertheless, those travelers that it does apply to may need one whenever transiting through an airport in a Schengen Area country (en route to a non-Schengen country) even if they remain in the international zone.
What are the required documents for obtaining a Schengen visa?
To get a Schengen visa, applicants must generally provide a completed visa application form, a valid passport, and two recent passport-sized photos.
Proof of travel (i.e., your itinerary and/or flight reservation) and proof of accommodation (like hotel bookings) are also required.
Additionally, applicants will usually need to show proof of sufficient financial means to cover their stay in their Schengen destination country — typically through bank statements (and/or a letter of sponsorship).
And depending on the nature of your trip (e.g., tourism, business, family visit, etc.), additional documents may also be required — such as an invitation letter, proof of employment, proof of enrollment, and so on.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes, in order to be granted a Shcengen visa, applicants must have the proper travel insurance. Not only that, but your plan must meet certain criteria. Namely, it should cover medical emergencies of up to at least €30,000, be valid throughout the entire Schengen Area, and for the entire duration of your trip.
Good to know: AXA's Schengen visa insurance meets all these criteria and more.
How to obtain a Schengen visa from a third country
This will somewhat depend on both your home country and your destination Schengen country. However, most aspects of the Shcengen visa application process are fairly universal.
Generally speaking, applicants should apply at the consulate or embassy of the Schengen country they plan to visit first (or the one where they will spend the most time). In certain cases, you can also apply via a visa application center — that is, one outsourced by and officially accredited by the embassy/consulate of their destination country (such as VFS Global, for example).
The process generally involves filling out a visa application form, submitting the documents mentioned above, and then coming in for an in-person interview (and for biometric collection).
How far in advance should I apply for a Schengen visa?
You should apply for your Schengen visano later than 15 days and no sooner than six monthsbefore your planned date of departure. But make sure you give yourself plenty of time to gather all the necessary paperwork too.
How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?
Processing wait times vary (due to a number of factors) but generally take around 15 days. However, in certain cases, it may take up to a month or two. So make sure to reach out to your embassy, consulate,and/or visa application center if in doubt.
How much is a Schengen Visa?
The price of a Schengen Visa is standardized across all Schengen countries (and is, therefore, universal worldwide). However, it does vary based on your age and marital status. Namely, children aged 6 to 12 pay half the standard fee, while children under 6 visiting the Schengen — as well as spouses of EU citizens — can get the Schengen visa for free.
FINAL PRO TIP: EU and Schengen legislation is ever-changing, so we also recommend that you always double-check with the proper channels — such as the official websites of the European Commission, your home country, and the Schengen state you plan to visit — to make sure you have all the latest info.
