Planning a European Trip? Here’s Your Guide to the Schengen Area and Visa Requirements

If you’re gearing up for a European adventure, you might have come across the term “Schengen” during your research. But what exactly is the Schengen Area? When is a Schengen visa necessary for visiting Europe, and how do you apply for one? Plus, what’s the deal with Schengen visa insurance?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. From an overview of Schengen travel rules to the visa application process, here’s everything you need to know to make your journey through this European zone as smooth as possible.

Quick Navigation:

What is a Schengen Visa and How Does it Work?
Schengen Countries
Who Needs a Schengen Visa?
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
Visa Application Requirements
Visa Insurance Requirements
Types of Schengen Visas
Types of Schengen Visa Entry

What is a Schengen Visa and How Does it Work?

A Schengen visa, also known as a Europe visa, allows eligible travelers to move freely within the 26 countries of the Schengen Area without undergoing border checks at internal borders. However, border checks are still in place for travelers entering or exiting the Schengen Area from non-Schengen countries.

Eligible for Unrestricted Travel in the Schengen Area:

Schengen Country Citizens 🇦🇹🇧🇪🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇹🇱🇻🇱🇺🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇹🇪🇸🇸🇰🇸🇮🇸🇪
Holders of Residence Permits from a Schengen Country 🇦🇹🇧🇪🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇹🇱🇻🇱🇺🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇹🇪🇸🇸🇰🇸🇮🇸🇪
EU/EEA Citizens 🇦🇹🇧🇪🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇮🇹🇱🇻🇱🇺🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇹🇪🇸🇸🇰🇸🇮🇸🇪
Non-EU Individuals from Eligible Countries 🌍 (90 days or less without a visa)
Non-EU Individuals with a Valid Visa 🌍

Important Points:

A valid passport is necessary for entry into Schengen countries.
A passport stamp is required for travelers from non-EU countries to verify their stay duration.

Schengen Countries

EU Schengen Countries:

Austria 🇦🇹
Belgium 🇧🇪
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Denmark 🇩🇰
Estonia 🇪🇪
Finland 🇫🇮
France 🇫🇷
Germany 🇩🇪
Greece 🇬🇷
Hungary 🇭🇺
Italy 🇮🇹
Latvia 🇱🇻
Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Malta 🇲🇹
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Poland 🇵🇱
Portugal 🇵🇹
Spain 🇪🇸
Slovakia 🇸🇰
Slovenia 🇸🇮
Sweden 🇸🇪

Non-EU Schengen Countries:

Iceland 🇮🇸
Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
Norway 🇳🇴
Switzerland 🇨🇭

Countries Not in Schengen:

Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Croatia 🇭🇷
Cyprus 🇨🇾
Ireland 🇮🇪
Romania 🇷🇴
United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Who Needs a Schengen Visa for Europe?

Citizens of the following countries currently require a visa to enter the Schengen Area:

Afghanistan 🇦🇫
Algeria 🇩🇿
Angola 🇦🇴
Armenia 🇦🇲
Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Bahrain 🇧🇭
Bangladesh 🇧🇩
Belarus 🇧🇾
Belize 🇧🇿
Benin 🇧🇯
Bhutan 🇧🇹
Bolivia 🇧🇴
Botswana 🇧🇼
Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Burma/Myanmar 🇲🇲
Burundi 🇧🇮
Cambodia 🇰🇭
Cameroon 🇨🇲
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Central African Republic 🇲🇱
Chad 🇹🇩
China 🇨🇳
Comoros 🇰🇲
Congo 🇨🇬
Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
Cuba 🇨🇺
Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩
Djibouti 🇩🇯
Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
Ecuador 🇪🇨
Egypt 🇪🇬
Equatorial Guinea 🇲🇶
Eritrea 🇪🇷
Eswatini 🇸🇿
Ethiopia 🇪🇹
Fiji 🇫🇯
Gabon 🇬🇦
Gambia 🇬🇲
Ghana 🇬🇭
Guinea 🇬🇳
Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼
Guyana 🇬🇾
Haiti 🇭🇹
India 🇮🇳
Indonesia 🇮🇩
Iran 🇮🇷
Iraq 🇮🇶
Jamaica 🇯🇲
Jordan 🇯🇴
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Kenya 🇰🇪
Kuwait 🇰🇼
Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Laos 🇱🇦
Lebanon 🇱🇧
Lesotho 🇱🇸
Liberia 🇱🇸
Libya 🇱🇾
Madagascar 🇲🇬
Malawi 🇲🇼
Maldives 🇲🇻
Mali 🇲🇱
Mauritania 🇲🇷
Mongolia 🇲🇳
Morocco 🇲🇦
Mozambique 🇲🇿
Namibia 🇳🇦
Nauru 🇳🇷
Nepal 🇳🇵
Niger 🇳🇪
Nigeria 🇳🇬
North Korea 🇰🇵
Oman 🇴🇲
Pakistan 🇵🇰
Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
Philippines 🇵🇭
Qatar 🇶🇦
Russia 🇷🇺
Rwanda 🇷🇼
Sao Tome and Principe 🇲🇱
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Senegal 🇸🇳
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
Somalia 🇸🇴
South Africa 🇿🇦
South Sudan 🇸🇸
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Sudan 🇸🇩
Suriname 🇸🇷
Swaziland 🇸🇿
Syria 🇸🇾
Tajikistan 🇹🇯
Tanzania 🇹🇿
Thailand 🇹🇭
Togo 🇹🇬
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Turkey 🇹🇷
Turkmenistan 🇹🇲
Uganda 🇺🇬
Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
Vanuatu 🇻🇺
Vietnam 🇻🇳
Yemen 🇾🇪
Zambia 🇿🇲
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

Visa-Exempt Countries:

Citizens of these countries are currently exempt from the Schengen visa requirement:

Albania 🇦🇱
Andorra 🇦🇩
Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇬
Argentina 🇦🇷
Australia 🇦🇺
Bahamas 🇧🇸
Barbados 🇧🇧
Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Brazil 🇧🇷
Brunei Darussalam 🇧🇳
Canada 🇨🇦
Chile 🇨🇱
Colombia 🇨🇴
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Dominica 🇩🇲
El Salvador 🇸🇻
North Macedonia 🇲🇰
Georgia 🇬🇪
Grenada 🇲🇸
Guatemala 🇵🇪
Holy See (Vatican City State) 🇻🇦
Honduras 🇭🇳
Japan 🇯🇵
Kiribati 🇰🇮
Malaysia 🇲🇾
Marshall Islands 🇲🇭
Mauritius 🇲🇺
Mexico 🇲🇽
Micronesia 🇫🇲
Moldova 🇲🇩
Monaco 🇲🇨
Montenegro 🇲🇪
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Nicaragua 🇳🇮
Palau 🇵🇰
Panama 🇵🇦
Paraguay 🇵🇾
Peru 🇵🇪
Samoa 🇼🇸
San Marino 🇸🇲
Seychelles 🇸🇨
Serbia 🇷🇸
Singapore 🇸🇬
Solomon Islands 🇸🇧
South Korea 🇰🇷
Taiwan 🇹🇼
Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
Tuvalu 🇹🇻
United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
United States 🇺🇸
Uruguay 🇺🇾
Venezuela 🇻🇪

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

Applying for a Schengen visa involves several key steps:

Duly fill a simple online Spain visa application form and pay a nominal fee for scheduling your appointment at the visa center.
One of our Spain visa specialists will connect with you and book a BLS Spain Tourist Visa Dubai appointment.
A representative from our team will come to your doorstep to collect all the documents and your biometrics
Receive your Spain visa along with your passport securely via courier..

Visa Application Requirements

Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations or invitation letter from a host.
Travel Insurance: Coverage of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies.
Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements, employment letter, or proof of sponsorship.
Travel Itinerary: Flight reservations and detailed travel plans.

Visa Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for a Schengen visa. It should cover:

Medical emergencies and repatriation
Minimum coverage of €30,000
Validity for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area

Types of Schengen Visas

Uniform Schengen Visa (USV): Allows travel within the Schengen Area.
Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV): Permits travel to only specific Schengen countries.
National Visa: For stays longer than 90 days or for national purposes.

Types of Schengen Visa Entry

Single Entry: Allows one entry into the Schengen Area.
Double Entry: Permits two entries into the Schengen Area.
Multiple Entries: Enables unlimited entries within the visa’s validity period.

Understanding these details and preparing accordingly will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip through the Schengen Area. Safe travels!