22.10.2025
Learn how a single Schengen visa works across 29 countries, how to follow the 90/180 rule, choose the right consulate, provide biometrics, and what will change with the EES in 2025–2026.
A Schengen visa is the most versatile way to visit Europe. With a single visa, you can travel across the 29 countries that make up the Schengen Area. Behind that simplicity sits a detailed framework of rules, timelines, and databases. Here’s what matters if you’re applying for—or already hold—a Schengen visa.
The Schengen Area is a border‑free zone with common rules for visas and border checks. It currently includes 29 countries, most EU members plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
The issuance of Schengen visas and the crossing of borders are governed by common European Union rules. These instruments set shared standards for all countries in the Schengen Area and ensure a consistent approach to visa procedures.
Core legal acts:
EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009) — defines how to submit and process short‑stay visa applications.
Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399) — explains how checks are carried out at external and internal borders and how border controls are lifted within the Schengen Area. The document emphasizes the principle underpinning the whole system:
The Schengen Borders Code states: “This Regulation provides for the absence of border control of persons crossing the internal borders between the Member States of the Union.”
In plain terms, there are no permanent border checkpoints inside the Schengen Area—travelers can move between member countries the way they would between regions of a single country. In practice, internal border checks may be temporarily reintroduced as a last‑resort measure; documents can be spot‑checked even between Schengen states. For example, from 1 September 2025, third‑country nationals who do not hold a Latvian visa or residence permit must submit an Electronic Travel Declaration (ETA) at least 48 hours before arrival; non‑compliance may trigger an administrative fine (up to €2,000).
Despite the shared rules and principles, each Schengen country makes its own decisions on visa issuance. In some places, appointment slots are booked out months in advance; elsewhere, you can get a visa in a few days. Approval rates also vary: some consulates are known for being lenient, others for strict reviews and higher refusal rates.
To see the real‑world picture, look at the 2024 statistics, which show where people applied most often and who issued the most visas.
Consulates of EU and Schengen‑associated countries received over 11.7 million short‑stay visa applications—up 13.6% compared to 2023.
About 1.7 million applications were refused, an average refusal rate of roughly 14.8%.
Top countries by number of applications:
France received approximately 3 million applications.
Spain was second with about 1.6 million applications.
Germany had around 1.5 million applications.
Refusal‑rate standouts:
Iceland — among the lowest, at about 6.6% refusals.
Malta — among the strictest, at about 38.5% refusals.
Estonia — around 27.2% refusals.
These figures make it clear that a unified visa system doesn’t mean identical practice everywhere. Schengen remains a space with aligned rules, but each consulate has its own approach and level of leniency. If you want to improve your approval odds, consider the stats: apply where issuance rates are higher and processing is faster—especially if it’s your first Schengen visa.
Even though the Schengen visa is standardized across the Area, applicants face broadly similar conditions and fees. The supporting documents are generally standard: application form, photo, travel medical insurance, plane tickets, hotel reservation or invitation, and proof of funds and employment.
That said, each country can add clarifications and extra requirements. So while the documents may look similar, the details can be significant: some consulates require fully prepaid hotels, others accept unpaid reservations; some ask for three months of bank statements, others for six.
A visa can be issued with limited territorial validity — valid only in the issuing state or in listed states—most often when the travel document isn’t recognized by some members or on humanitarian grounds/for national interest or international obligations.
Finally, keep the political context in mind: although the Schengen Area is unified, not all countries are currently issuing visas to, or admitting, for example Russian nationals through external borders. For instance, today they can’t obtain an Estonian tourist visa, and can’t enter Estonia directly from Russia on, say, a French visa. However, flying into Tallinn from Berlin would be permitted.
Schengen visas fall into two categories, and it’s important to understand the difference so you apply for the right one.
Main categories:
Type A — airport transit visa. For passengers connecting at an airport in a Schengen country without leaving the international transit zone or entering Schengen territory.
Type C — short‑stay visa. Allows you to stay in Schengen countries for a limited number of days. These cover tourism, business, and private visits and are by far the most common.
Visas also differ by number of entries:
single‑entry,
double‑entry,
multiple‑entry (often called “multi” visas).
A single‑entry visa lets you enter the Schengen Area once; within it, you can move freely between countries. This matters if your route includes leaving Schengen.
Example: With a single‑entry Schengen visa issued by Croatia, you can fly into Croatia, hop to Barcelona, and return—all inside Schengen. But if your route is Croatia → Serbia → Croatia, once you exit to Serbia (non‑Schengen), you can’t re‑enter—your single entry is used up.
A double‑entry visa allows you to cross Schengen’s external border twice; a multiple‑entry visa allows unlimited crossings during its validity.
In the past, long‑term multi visas for 2–5 years were often issued, but today countries more commonly align visa validity strictly with your trip dates. If you reapply with a positive history, a consulate may issue a 3–6 month visa. Long‑term visas are still possible but increasingly rare.
The 90/180 rule is the key condition for all Schengen travelers. It means you can stay in the Area no more than 90 days within any rolling 180‑day period.
How to count? Take any day of your stay and look back 179 days; all Schengen days within that window must total 90 days or fewer. To avoid mistakes, use the official short‑stay calculator and keep a personal log if you travel frequently. Violations can lead to visa cancellation or even an entry ban.
Example: If you stayed in Europe from January 1 to March 30 (90 days), you can only re‑enter after June 30, when the earliest days drop out of the 180‑day window.
Sometimes a visa doesn’t show the standard 90/180 but, say, 30/90 or 45/90. These indicate individualized stay limits set by the consulate. Such visas are less common but fully legal—for example, on a first application or for very short trips.
Overstays are recorded under the new Entry/Exit System (EES) as it rolls out (see below) and can trigger visa cancellation, future refusals, or an entry ban. If you’re planning multiple trips back‑to‑back, track all dates and keep tickets, receipts, or reservations—they can help prove lawful stays if asked.
You must apply to the consulate of the country where you’ll spend most of your trip—the main destination. If you’ll spend equal time in multiple countries, apply through the consulate of your first point of entry.
In practice, many travelers plan routes around where it’s easier to get a visa. Some choose a country with quicker appointment availability; others favor higher approval rates or less red tape.
Tip: If appointments are easier to secure with France than Germany, plan your trip so most days are in France. That’s fully legal and can reduce the chance of refusal.
You can apply up to 6 months before your trip, but don’t delay—processing times vary by country. Standard processing is up to 15 calendar days; in peak seasons it may take up to 45 days.
Apply for a Type C visa in your country of citizenship or in a country where you hold a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent). A traveler temporarily residing in Armenia with local registration may, in some cases, apply at the Spanish visa center in Yerevan—always check the specific consulate’s rules. Non‑residents are generally not accepted unless a specific consulate allows it.
You cannot obtain a Schengen visa while already inside the Schengen Area. If your visa is about to expire, you can’t extend it in‑country—you can only apply for a national Type D visa if you qualify (study, work, family reunification, etc.).
Apart from regular tourism, one legitimate and common way to obtain a Schengen visa is by applying with an invitation, often referred to as a guest or visitor visa. This format is suitable if you are traveling to Europe to visit relatives, friends, business partners, or another inviting host in a Schengen country.
Yes, you can obtain a Schengen visa based on an invitation if the host party officially confirms the purpose of the visit and is willing to assume partial responsibility for the guest's stay. An invitation does not guarantee automatic visa approval but often increases the trust of the consulate, especially if the applicant is traveling for non-touristic purposes or is a first-time applicant.
An invitation letter for a Schengen visa can be issued by:
A citizen of a Schengen country.
A foreign national with a valid temporary or permanent residence permit in an EU country.
The required format of the invitation depends on the specific country, and requirements can vary significantly. For example:
France and Spain: Require an official invitation registered with local authorities (known as Attestation d’accueil in France and Carta de Invitación in Spain).
Germany: Typically uses an official financial commitment document (Verpflichtungserklärung) processed through the local foreigners’ office.
Italy and Greece: Usually accept an invitation in free format, without mandatory registration, provided the host's residency is confirmed.
Even if a free-form invitation letter is allowed, consulates might still request additional documents. It is always recommended to check the specific requirements for the country where you are applying.
The process of getting an invitation usually involves several steps:
Host prepares the invitation: The inviting party (host) prepares an invitation document according to their country’s regulations.
Include necessary details: The invitation should include information about the host and the invited guest (applicant), the planned visit dates, the address where the guest will stay, and the nature of the relationship between the parties.
Send the invitation to the applicant: The host then sends the invitation to the visa applicant — either as an original document or a scanned copy, depending on the requirements of the specific consulate.
It's important to understand that even with an invitation, the visa applicant must still provide the standard set of supporting documents: a completed visa application form, travel health insurance, travel tickets (or reservations), proof of financial means, and evidence of intent to return home after the visit. In some cases, an invitation letter can serve as a substitute for a hotel booking, but it does not exempt the applicant from any of the other standard requirements.
When reviewing a visa application that includes an invitation, consular officers pay special attention to several factors:
Genuineness of the relationship: The reality and duration of the relationship between the inviting party and the applicant.
Financial means: The financial stability of the host or the applicant (ensuring there are sufficient funds to support the trip).
Trip duration vs. purpose: Whether the planned length of the visit aligns with the stated purpose of the trip.
Travel history: The applicant’s migration or travel history (including past visa compliance and any previous overstays).
If an invitation appears purely formal or isn’t supported by appropriate documentation, it can lead to a visa refusal.
An invitation letter for a Schengen visa is a legitimate and effective tool, but it must be prepared carefully in accordance with all visa rules. A well-prepared invitation, especially for a private visit or a business trip, can be an important factor in securing visa approval. However, it does not replace the need for a complete and properly prepared set of supporting documents for the visa application.
Since 2015, all Schengen visa applicants must provide biometric data—fingerprints and a digital photo. These are stored in VIS (Visa Information System), a unified EU visa database accessible to all Schengen consulates and border authorities.
Biometrics are valid for five years, and within that period they generally work for applications to any Schengen consulate. So if you gave fingerprints for a French visa, you usually don’t need to re‑enroll for a German one.
In practice, however, consulates sometimes request new biometrics even within five years—e.g., if the prints were low quality or technical standards changed. Don’t assume you’ll automatically be exempt.
Children under 12 don’t give fingerprints, nor do certain categories (diplomats, members of official delegations, etc.).
VIS records include:
applicant’s personal data;
history of submitted applications;
consular decisions (approved/denied);
information on valid and canceled visas.
VIS helps consulates assess applicant reliability and speeds up border checks. Your data is protected—only authorized EU authorities have access.
In 2025–2026, the EU is rolling out the EES (Entry/Exit System) to replace manual passport stamps with digital entry/exit records.
Each time you cross the border, the system will record data from your travel document, the date and place of each entry and exit, and your biometrics. This will allow precise 90/180 calculations and eliminate errors from missing or illegible stamps.
Can I first enter a different country if my visa was issued by another?
Yes, provided your main destination matches the issuing country’s consulate rules across your overall itinerary. Repeatedly ignoring main‑destination rules can affect future applications.
Can I work on a Type C visa?
Tourist Type C visas do not allow employment. Some countries issue Type C visas for short‑term business or specific work activities when national authorization exists. Always confirm with the destination country’s labor/immigration authority.
What if my visa expired but I still have days left under 90/180?
You need a valid visa to enter. Remaining “days” don’t help if the visa sticker is expired.
Can I change the purpose of travel after the visa is issued?
It’s not recommended. If you obtained a visa for tourism but actually go to work or study, that’s a violation. Only minor changes (like route or dates) are acceptable. A major change of purpose is grounds to cancel the visa.
A Schengen visa is a convenient tool for traveling across Europe—but only if you use it responsibly. Understanding the 90/180 rule, knowing visa categories, and grasping basics like VIS and EES will help you avoid fines and hassles. And solid paperwork is your best guarantee that your visa will open 29 countries without unnecessary obstacles.
