Step-by-Step Guide to getting your Schengen Visa for Europe

NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 01/10/2024

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.

PRO-TIP: 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):
 

PRO-TIP: 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!
 

Step 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:

Austria visa Belgium visa Bulgaria visa Czech Republic visa
Croatia visa Denmark visa Estonia visa Finland visa
France visa Germany visa Greece visa Hungary visa
Iceland visa Italy visa Latvia visa Liechtenstein visa
Lithuania visa Luxembourg visa Malta visa Netherlands visa
Norway visa Poland visa Portugal visa Romania visa
Slovakia visa Slovenia visa Spain visa Sweden visa
Switzerland visa      


How to apply for a Schengen visa from India

Applying for a Schengen visa from India? We got you covered too:

How to apply for a Schengen from other 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).

How 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:

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FAQ

Can I get a Schengen Visa online?

Not as of late 2024. But AXA can tell you more about the EU’s plan to eventually bring the whole Schengen visa application process online too.

Is the U.K. in the Schengen?

No, the U.K. has never been a Schengen member. And ever since Brexit, it’s no longer a member of the EU either. But AXA can tell you more about whether U.K. citizens need a Schengen visa after Brexit too.

Can I apply for a Schengen visa if I have a previous visa rejection?

Yes. However — depending on your particular situation — you may be asked to provide additional documentation explaining the reasons for the previous rejection.