Schengen short-stay visa (Visa C)
The most common Schengen visa: tourism, business, family visits, medical care, short studies. Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Who needs a Visa C?
Citizens of any country listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 must hold a Schengen Visa C to enter the Schengen area for short stays. Citizens of Annex II countries (US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, etc.) are visa-exempt — but from late 2026 they'll need an ETIAS authorisation.
If you're not sure, check with the consulate of your destination country.
What it allows
- Travel through all 29 Schengen states freely.
- Stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. Use a calculator (e.g., the official EU short-stay calculator) — getting this wrong leads to entry bans.
- Tourism, business meetings, conferences, family/friend visits, short cultural or sporting events, medical treatment, transit, short studies (under 90 days).
It does not allow: employment with a Schengen employer (you'd need a national work permit), studies of more than 90 days, or settling in any Schengen country.
Cost in 2026
| Applicant | Consular fee | Service fee (VFS / TLS / BLS) | Insurance | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | €90 | €30–€50 | €20–€60 | €140–€200 |
| Child 6–12 | €45 | €30–€50 | €15–€40 | €90–€135 |
| Child under 6 | Free | €30–€50 | €15–€40 | €45–€90 |
See the full cost breakdown and calculator.
Documents (standard list)
- Valid passport: issued in the last 10 years, at least 3 months valid beyond your return date, with 2 blank pages.
- Completed and signed application form (one per applicant; minors signed by both parents).
- Two recent biometric photos (35 × 45 mm, white background, ICAO standard).
- Travel medical insurance covering medical and repatriation costs of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay.
- Flight reservation (round-trip).
- Accommodation proof: hotel bookings, AirBnB receipts, official invitation letter for family/friend stays (e.g. France attestation d'accueil, Germany Verpflichtungserklärung).
- Proof of financial means: bank statements (last 3 months), payslips, tax return. Each country sets a daily minimum (typically €40–€100/day).
- Proof of employment / activity: leave authorisation, employer letter, business registration, or student certificate.
- Cover letter explaining your trip's purpose and dates.
- Travel itinerary if visiting several countries.
Processing time
- Standard: 15 calendar days.
- Extended: up to 45 days when additional checks are needed.
- Apply at the earliest: 6 months before your trip.
- At the latest: 15 calendar days before departure.
Validity, entries, 90/180
The visa sticker shows: From – Until (the validity window), Number of entries, Duration of stay, and the country code (LUX, FRA, etc., or "SCHENGEN STATES"). The duration of stay is the maximum total days you can spend; it's never longer than the visa's validity.
The 90/180 rule means that on every day, the last 180 days must contain no more than 90 Schengen days. Use the EU calculator to plan multi-trip itineraries.
What happens after you apply
- Documents are checked at the appointment.
- Fingerprints + facial image are taken (or reused from VIS if collected within 59 months).
- Your file is sent to the consulate. Some files are referred to the Schengen consultation procedure (security check by other Schengen states).
- Decision is communicated; passport returned.
If your visa is refused
You'll receive a written decision listing one or more refusal grounds (Article 32 of the Visa Code). You can appeal — the deadline is on the refusal letter (usually 30 days). See our refusal page for country-specific procedures.