How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The European Commission lists €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, with lower fees for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus (€35) and Cabo Verde (€67.50). A visa service centre may charge an additional fee, and the fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.

How long does a Schengen visa take to process?

The normal processing time is 15 days. The Commission says it can be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination or additional documents are needed.

Which country's consulate do I apply to?

The consulate of the country you intend to visit. If you are visiting more than one Schengen country, apply to the country where you will spend the longest time; for stays of equal length, to the first country you will visit. As a general rule, you apply at the consulate responsible for the country where you are legally resident.

How to Get a Schengen Visa as a Non-EU Citizen

Q: How long can I stay on a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is for a short visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If the period of stay printed on your visa sticker is shorter, that shorter period applies. Our Schengen 90/180-day calculator counts the days for you.

A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area. Everything below comes from the European Commission's guide to applying for one, unless another source is named. For details that differ by country, the Commission points you to the embassy or consulate of your main destination.

To count your own days under the 90/180-day rule, use our Schengen 90/180-day calculator.

Do you need a Schengen visa?

Citizens of certain non-EU countries must hold a short-stay visa when travelling to the Schengen area. The list of those countries is Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, and the countries whose citizens can travel without a visa are in Annex II. The Commission notes exceptions for certain types of traveller to certain countries, such as diplomats, armed forces, refugees and pupils on school excursions: individual Schengen countries can grant them visa-free access.

If you can travel without a visa, the short-stay limit usually still applies to you: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-exempt travellers will also need an ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts. It is not in operation yet. EU news articles from July 2025 and April 2026 said it would be required from the last quarter of 2026; the official ETIAS website says the EU will announce the specific start date several months before launch.

Types of Schengen visa

The Commission lists three forms:

Single-entry visa: lets you enter the Schengen area once.
Multiple-entry visa: allows several visits for as long as the visa is valid.
Airport transit visa: lets you connect through the international transit area of a Schengen airport during a stopover or change of flights. It does not let you leave the transit area. Some non-EU nationals need one for every Schengen airport, citizens of certain other countries only for some.

Where to apply

You lodge your application at the consulate of the country you intend to visit:

visiting more than one Schengen country: the country where you will spend the longest time
several countries for stays of equal length: the first country you will visit
as a general rule, at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident

When to apply

At least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand. You may have to book an appointment before you can lodge the application.

Documents asked for

A valid passport whose expiry date is at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area. For a multiple-entry visa, at least 3 months after your departure from the last country you visit.
A visa application form.
A photo that complies with ICAO standards.
Medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, including in the event of death.
Supporting documents about the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means and accommodation, and evidence of your intention to return home afterwards.

Your fingerprints are collected when you submit the application, with exemptions for specific categories of applicants, and consulates may ask for additional documents.

The Schengen Borders Code adds an entry condition at the border: your travel document must have been issued within the previous 10 years and be valid for at least three months after your intended date of departure.

Fees

Applicant	Fee
Adults	€90
Children aged 6–12	€45
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus	€35
Applicants from Cabo Verde	€67.50

An additional fee may apply if you go through a visa service centre that collects applications on behalf of the consulate. The fee can be waived for specific categories of applicants.

Processing time

The normal processing time is 15 days. It may be extended to up to 45 days if a more detailed examination of the application or additional documents are required. Under certain conditions, family members of EU or EEA citizens covered by the Free Movement Directive are eligible for a free and accelerated visa procedure.

If your visa is refused

You will be told why your application was rejected and how to submit an appeal.

At the border

A visa does not replace the border check. Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external border crossing points, registering non-EU visitors' entries and exits electronically. If you hold a short-stay visa, your fingerprints are already in the Visa Information System and are not stored again in the EES. If the period of stay printed on your visa sticker is shorter than 90 days, that is the limit to follow: the Commission says not to use its 90/180-day calculator in that case.

Frequently asked questions