Europe (Schengen Area) Visa Assistance
Unified Schengen application across Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands & 26 other nations.
Europe (Schengen Area) visa overview
The Schengen Area covers 29 European countries that share a common short-stay visa policy. One visa lets you travel across member states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You apply at the embassy of your main destination or first point of entry.
Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn are ideal for city breaks, and summer for the coast and the Alps.
Visa types available
- Tourist Short-Stay
- Multiple-Entry 1-5 Yr
- Business Schengen
Tips for a strong Europe (Schengen Area) application
- Choose the right embassy based on your itinerary and time in each country.
- Prepare reservations for flights and hotels that cover your full stay.
- Buy travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen Area.
- Provide six months of bank statements and proof of ties to your home country.
Documents and requirements specific to Europe (Schengen Area)
- The common checklist covers the form, photograph, passport, insurance, reservations, finances and ties, but individual consulates add their own items, so check the specific list.
- Keep a day-by-day itinerary that shows how you move between countries.
- Six months of bank statements and two or three years of tax returns are common requests.
- Earlier Schengen visas and a clean travel history help support your case.
Requirements vary by embassy and visa category. We confirm the current list for your profile before you apply.
Where and how to apply for a Europe (Schengen Area) visa
Schengen short-stay visas are decided by the embassy or consulate of the country you apply to. For Indian applicants, submissions are usually made through the visa application centre of that country, such as VFS Global, TLScontact or BLS International, depending on the destination.
Apply to the country where you spend the most nights. If the time is equal, apply to the first country you enter. Applications can be filed up to six months before travel.
Processing timeline to plan around
- Decisions are commonly made within 15 calendar days and can take up to 30 or 45 days in complex cases.
- Appointments are often the bottleneck, particularly in summer and December.
- Do not book non-refundable travel before the visa is approved.
Common mistakes with Europe (Schengen Area) applications
- Applying to the wrong country for your itinerary.
- Insurance that does not cover the whole stay.
- Over-ambitious multi-country itineraries.
- Not disclosing earlier refusals, which other Schengen states can see.
Europe (Schengen Area) visa FAQs
How many countries does a Schengen visa cover?
A Schengen visa allows travel in all member states, currently 29 countries across Europe.
Can I get a multiple-entry Schengen visa?
Multiple-entry visas of one to five years may be issued to travellers with a good Schengen travel history.
Which Schengen country is easiest to apply to?
There is no easy country. All apply the same rules, and what matters is applying to the correct country for your itinerary.
How many days can I stay on a Schengen visa?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area.
Is Ireland part of the Schengen Area?
No. Ireland has its own entry rules, so check its separate visa requirements if you plan to visit.
Apply for your Europe (Schengen Area) visa with expert help
Speak with a visa consultant for a personalised document checklist and clear next steps.