
Which European Countries Can You Visit With a Schengen Visa?
Looking to get that Schengen Visa to have a full-on Europe tour?? Well, you are in the right place. Since you are here in this blog, you might be wondering which cities you could cover with a Schengen Visa. You are not alone; many travellers like you have the same doubts regarding the European countries you can visit with a Schengen Visa. We know this is important for you to plan your journey, visa requirements and fill in the gaps in your itinerary.
There are 29 countries that allow you to visit them with the power of a Schengen visa. This might be the only visa that gives you this kind of power. So here we go, we will simply tell you about the countries you can visit with a Schengen Visa.
What Is a Schengen Visa?
Let us give you a short brief for the newbies. If you are familiar with this, feel free to scroll to our next section.
So for the reader who stayed here, a Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows travellers to enter and travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. The visa will be issued for 180 days, and you can choose any 90 days out of the allowed time period. The Schengen Area is a collection of 29 European countries that have removed routine internal borders between them. This simply means that you can legally enter from one country to another in the Schengen Area without any formalities with a Schengen visa.
It has to be noted that not all European countries are a part of the Schengen Area, and the ones that are do come under here and will need separate visas, like Ireland or the United Kingdom. Also, a Schengen Visa is just for the visitors and not the same as a visa for long-term residence.
Which Countries Can You Visit With a Schengen Visa?
Knowing which all countries come under the Schengen Visa is important for the first-time travellers. This will be the major point for planning your itinerary and for Schengen visa requirements. Here is the detailed list of countries that come under the Schengen Area.
The 29 Schengen Countries
There are 25 European Union countries and 4 other countries that come under the Schengen Area.
EU Schengen countries:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Non-EU Schengen countries:
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Norway
Switzerland
Can You Visit Multiple Countries With One Schengen Visa?
Imagine that you are planning your itinerary around countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany; the only visa you need is Schengen, not separate visas. With a valid Schengen Visa, you can cover your travel across all 29 countries in the Schengen Area within the permitted period.
Which Country Should You Apply To?
If you are visiting only one Schengen country, it is best to apply through the consulate or visa authority of the destination country.
If you are planning to visit multiple countries, the general way is to apply through the country that is your main destination, which can be the country you are staying the longest in or the country that covers your main purpose.
If the stays are equal, then you can apply through the country whose external border you will cross first.
At this moment, we would like to give you a heads up that getting a Schengen visa from a country does not mean that you can simply choose a country whose visa process seems convenient. Your application should reflect your genuine travel itinerary because the Schengen visa requirements can vary based on certain criteria.
Can You Enter Through A Different Schengen Country?
So if you received your Schengen visa for a trip dominated by France, but your flight enters another country like Germany. Would you be able to enter?
It is simple actually; you may cross an external Schengen border using a visa issued by another Schengen country, but there is a catch. Keep in mind that having a Schengen visa does not automatically guarantee your entry. There will be border authorities to check and verify your travel documents, purpose of travel, and other visa requirements.
What Documents Do You Need for a Schengen Tourist Visa?
Understanding the tourist visa requirements for applying for a Schengen visa is critical for a smooth and successful visa process. Here is the checklist of Schengen visa documents that you should not compromise while applying.
Completed visa application form
Valid passport
Recent passport photographs
Travel itinerary
Flight reservation/booking details
Accommodation proof
Travel medical insurance
Proof of sufficient funds
Proof of employment/business/student status, where applicable
Proof of ties to your country of residence
Previous travel/visa documents, where relevant
Additional documents depending on the applicant and destination
The visa requirements can vary according to the personal circumstances of the applicant and the visa consulate that handles your application. To understand these minute differences, you need the expertise of a professional team like Viselia.
Get Your Schengen Visa Documents Ready With Viselia
There are many things to check and complete to ensure that you have the best experience while applying for a Schengen Visa, and doing it alone can become overwhelming. Visalia will help travellers like you to completely understand the tourist visa requirements, organise the documents, and prepare visa documents with confidence. You as an applicant will always be in control of the final submission of the application, and we will guide you through each process and step. Planning your Europe trip is fun and exciting, and do not let the complication of applying for a Schengen visa kill that fun. Viselia will make sure that your energy and excitement are not drained in the pile of applications and forms.
Worried about the Schengen visa requirements? Start with the right checklist and know what you need before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A valid short-stay Schengen visa generally allows travel across the Schengen Area, subject to the visa's validity and conditions.
You can visit all the 29 countries that are listed under the Schengen Area which includes 25 European countries and 4 other countries.
Not simply based on convenience. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, you generally apply through the country that is your main destination or the first country of entry if the stays are equal.
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