How to apply for a Schengen visa

Step 1 — Determine which country

You apply to the consulate of your main destination:

• If you visit one country, that's your main destination.
• If you visit several, the country where you'll spend the most days.
• If equal across countries, the country of first entry into Schengen.

The consulate must be in your country of legal residence. You can't apply in a third country (with rare exceptions for transit / business emergencies).

Step 2 — Determine the right visa type

• Stay ≤ 90 days, multi-purpose: Visa C
• Stay > 90 days, single country: Visa D
• Just changing planes (rare nationalities): Visa A

Step 3 — Book your appointment

Where you book depends on the consulate:

• France — fill the application on France-Visas first, then book on VFS Global, TLScontact or Capago (depending on country).
• Germany — pre-fill the VIDEX form on videx.diplo.de, then book either at the consulate directly or on VFS Global.
• Italy — VFS Global exclusively. Slots are scarce — book 4–6 weeks ahead.
• Spain — BLS International for most posts.
• Netherlands — VFS Global. Book early; wait can exceed 4 weeks.
• Other countries — usually VFS Global or TLScontact.

Appointments are free to book. Beware of scam websites charging "appointment fees".

Step 4 — Prepare your documents

Use our documents checklist. Pro tips:

• Bank statements should show 3 months of regular activity, not a sudden deposit. Visa officers spot recent transfers.
• If your stay is short, show return motivation: stable job, property, family ties, ongoing studies.
• Photocopy everything — keep one original, one copy. Some consulates keep originals.
• Check insurance covers exactly the visa start to end dates.

Step 5 — Attend the appointment

Bring originals + photocopies, your passport, fees in cash or by card (depending on centre). Be prepared for fingerprint capture (10 fingers; reused for 59 months). Some posts conduct a brief interview — answer concisely and consistently with your file.

Step 6 — Wait and collect

Standard processing: 15 calendar days; up to 45 in complex cases. Most centres email you when the passport is back. Pick it up (or use courier delivery) and verify the visa sticker:

• Names match passport.
• "From – Until" dates cover your trip.
• Number of entries (1, 2 or MULT).
• Duration of stay (number of days).
• Country code (LUX, FRA, DEU…) or "ETATS SCHENGEN".

If anything is wrong, raise it immediately at the centre — corrections after departure are nearly impossible.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying too late — under 15 days before departure may be refused outright.
• Applying too early — beyond 6 months in advance is not permitted.
• Buying real flight tickets before the visa is granted (use refundable reservations or a flight-only blocking tool).
• Insurance with deductibles or exclusions that void the €30,000 minimum.
• "One-shot" bank deposits that look like loans.
• Choosing the "wrong" main destination country.