Which are the Schengen countries?
As on 2020 There are 25 European country and 4 non European country in the Schengen area that signed the Schengen agreement and formed the European Economic Area. The Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania
If you hold a valid Schengen visa from issued by any of the Schengen member countries you will be allowed transit, enter and visit several Schengen countries in the Schengen space. If you have Schengen multiple entry visa you can visit other European countries and other several countries.
The Schengen countries provide Schengen tourist visa and Schengen business visa as well as Schengen national visa. The visa should be issued by the relevantembassy or consulate visa section of the Schengen country.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa?
The Schengen travel visa processing time at the Schengen embassy or consulate is set across all Schengen countries and across all the globe to be 15 business days. This means the visa applicant shouldn't count the weekends when calculating the processing time.
The Schengen visa processing time only starts the day after you have submitted your Schengen visit visa application form at the Schengen visa centre and paid the visa fee. During summer which is the high season for people to visit Europe it's difficult to find Schengen visa appointment thus VisaTitans experts advise to start booking your Schengen visa application appointment at least 4 weeks before your intended travel date.
Who needs Schengen visa?
Currently foreign citizen who hold an ordinary passport from one of the following 103 countries need to have a Schengen visa if they wish to visit the Schengen state countries. The countries are:
Afghanistan | Laos | |
Algeria | Lebanon | |
Angola | Lesotho | |
Armenia | Liberia | |
Azerbaijan | Libya | |
Bahrain | Madagascar | |
Bangladesh | Malawi | |
Belarus | Maldives | |
Belize | Mali | |
Benin | Mauritania | |
Bhutan | Mongolia | |
Bolivia | Morocco | |
Botswana | Mozambique | |
Burkina Faso | Namibia | |
Burma/Myanmar | Nauru | |
Burundi | Nepal | |
Cambodia | Niger | |
Cameroon | Nigeria | |
Cape Verde | North Korea | |
Central African Republic | Oman | |
Chad | Pakistan | |
China | Papua New Guinea | |
Comoros | Philippines | |
Congo | Qatar | |
Cote D'ivoire | Russia | |
Cuba | Rwanda | |
Democratic Republic Of Congo | Sao Tome And Principe | |
Djibouti | Saudi Arabia | |
Dominican Republic | Senegal | |
Ecuador | Sierra Leone | |
Egypt | Somalia | |
Equatorial Guinea | South Africa | |
Eritrea | South Sudan | |
Ethiopia | Sri Lanka | |
Fiji | Sudan | |
Gabon | Suriname | |
Gambia | Swaziland | |
Ghana | Syria | |
Guinea | Tajikistan | |
Guinea-Bissau | Tanzania | |
Guyana | Thailand | |
Haiti | Togo | |
India | Tunisia | |
Indonesia | Turkey | |
Iran | Turkmenistan | |
Iraq | Uganda | |
Jamaica | Uzbekistan | |
Jordan | Vietnam | |
Kazakhstan | Yemen | |
Kenya | Zambia | |
Kuwait | Zimbabwe | |
Kyrgyzstan |
Foreign nationals of the above 103 countries are allowed to enter the Schengen zone and stay up to 90 days within 6 months if they hold a valid Schengen visas type C. Checkout our Schengen visa requirements detailed guides below.
How much is Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa cost for all 26 Schengen countries is standardized. The Schengen visa fee is paid by the visa applicant in the local currency of the country where you will submit your Schengen visa application centre and your Schengen visa requirement. The Schengen visa fee structure is as below:
Adults: 80 Euros
Children between 6 years and 12 years: 40 Euros
Children under the age of 6 years: Free of charge
Nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia: 35 Euros
Diplomatic and official passports: Free
Family members of a EU/EEA citizens: Free
Students and teachers traveling on school trips: Free
Researchers: Free
How to get multiple entry Schengen visa?
There is a common misconception that you must have a multiple entry Schengen visa in order to visit more than one Schengen country during the same trip. However, the single entry Schengen visa allows the foreign traveler to visit as many Schengen countries as they wishes as long as they don't leave the Schengen states area.
If you are planning to visit the Schengen space on multiple different occasions then you should apply for multiple entry Schengen visa. You will need to provide a good reason on why you are applying for a Schengen multiple entry visa as well as the hotel bookings and flight reservations for at least 3 proposes trips.