Schengen visas: types, cost and how to apply

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that lets you travel in all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is needed by nationals of countries without a visa-free arrangement with the EU; see who needs a Schengen visa. It costs EUR 90 for adults, you apply at the consulate of the country you are mainly visiting, and you must apply at least 15 days before you travel.

What types of Schengen visa are there?

• Type A, airport transit visa. For nationals of certain countries who change planes in a Schengen airport without leaving the international transit area.
• Type C, short-stay visa. The standard Schengen visa and the subject of this page. It allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the dates on the visa.
• Type D, national long-stay visa. Issued by one country for stays of more than 90 days there, for example to work or study. Holders can also visit the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180. See residence permits and the 90/180 rule.

A type B transit visa used to exist for journeys of under five days. It was abolished and its purpose folded into type C.

A limited territorial validity visa is valid for one country only. These are issued in exceptional cases, for example on humanitarian grounds.

Single, double and multiple entry

A type C visa is marked with the number of entries it allows:

• Single entry ("1"). You may enter the Schengen area once. When you leave, the visa is used up, even if days remain.
• Double entry ("2"). You may enter, leave and enter once more within the visa's validity.
• Multiple entry ("MULT"). You may enter and leave as often as you like while the visa is valid, staying no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Multiple-entry visas are issued with longer validity to frequent travellers with a good visa history: typically one year after three visas used lawfully in the previous two years, then two years, then five. The exact conditions are in Article 24 of the Visa Code and vary with your record.

The 180-day period does not start when your visa becomes valid. It is counted back from each day of your stay, exactly as for visa-free visitors. The 90/180 rule explained covers how that works.

Where do I apply?

The Commission's rule: "You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit." If you are visiting several countries, apply to the one where you will spend the longest time; if your stays are of equal length, apply to the first country you will enter. You apply in the country where you legally live.

When should I apply?

At least 15 days before your trip and no earlier than six months before. The normal processing time is 15 days, which can be extended to 45 days if your application needs a closer look or more documents. Seafarers travelling on duty may apply up to nine months ahead.

What documents do I need?

Requirements differ by consulate, but the Commission lists:

• a passport valid for at least three months after the date you leave the Schengen area (for multiple-entry visas, three months after your departure from the last country visited)
• the application form and a photo to ICAO standards
• medical insurance covering emergency care, hospital treatment and repatriation, with cover of at least EUR 30,000
• documents showing the purpose of your stay, your means of support and accommodation, and your intention to return home

Your fingerprints are taken when you apply.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The Commission's current figures:

• EUR 90 for adults
• EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12
• EUR 35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus
• EUR 67.50 for applicants from Cabo Verde

Children under 6 pay nothing, and the fee is waived for other groups set out in the Visa Code, including pupils and students travelling for study, researchers, and family members of EU citizens exercising free movement. Single and multiple-entry visas cost the same. Visa application centres that take applications on behalf of consulates add their own service fee.

The fee is not refunded if your application is refused.

What if my application is refused?

The Commission says you will be told why it was rejected and how to appeal. The refusal comes on a standard form from the country that handled your application, with the grounds and the appeal procedure. You can also apply again; it is sensible to address the reason for the refusal first.

Can I extend a Schengen visa?

Only in limited cases. Under the Visa Code a visa can be extended where you cannot leave before it expires for reasons of force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons. Apply to the authorities of the country you are in before the visa runs out.

What happens if I overstay?

Since 10 April 2026 your entries and exits have been recorded in the EU's Entry/Exit System, which identifies overstayers automatically. The EU lists the possible consequences as removal from the territory, administrative fines or detention, and being prevented from re-entering. Entry bans are decided case by case and "shall not in principle exceed five years". For visa holders an overstay also makes the next visa application much harder.

How Schengen Simple helps

A multiple-entry visa makes the 90/180 count your problem, not the consulate's. Schengen Simple keeps the count across every trip you log, past and planned, and shows how long you could stay from any date within your visa's validity.