Schengen Visa: Your Ultimate Guide to Europe’s Borderless Travel
Your independent guide to the 29 Schengen countries: who needs a visa, visa types, fees, the 90/180 rule, EES and ETIAS, explained in plain English.
What is Schengen?
The Schengen Agreement established the Schengen Area, a zone of 29 European countries where internal border checks are mostly abolished. Originating from the 1985 Agreement signed in Schengen, Luxembourg, it allows passport-free travel between its member states. While most Schengen countries are in the EU, not all EU countries are full Schengen members.
Schengen Countries List
Schengen Visa Types
Tourist VisaVisitor VisaBusiness VisaTransit VisaStudent VisaWorking VisaVisa for OfficialsVisa for Medical Treatment
The Schengen Tourist Visa allows travellers to visit multiple European countries within the Schengen Area on a single visa. One visa covers all 29 Schengen countries for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, so you do not need a separate visa for each country. The fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Australians and other visa-exempt travellers do not need this visa for tourism.
The Schengen Visitor Visa allows non-European nationals to visit family or friends within the Schengen Zone. Applicants must provide various documents, including a valid passport, invitation letter, proof of accommodation and means of financial support, among others. You can apply up to 6 months before you travel and no later than 15 days before, and the visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The Business Schengen Visa allows non-EU citizens to travel to the Schengen Area for business purposes. Required documents include a completed visa application form, valid passport, itinerary, travel insurance, accommodation proof, financial evidence, and related letters. Apply to the country of your main destination through its embassy, consulate or visa centre. The visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and a decision is usually made within 15 calendar days (up to 45 days in some cases). It does not allow you to work for a European employer.
The Transit Schengen Visa covers travellers passing through the Schengen Area. An airport transit visa (type A) is needed only by certain nationalities who change planes in the international transit area of a Schengen airport. If you leave the airport or travel on through Schengen territory, including seafarers joining or leaving a ship, you need a short-stay (type C) visa unless you are visa-exempt. Australians need neither.
The Student Schengen Visa allows third-country nationals to take a course in the Schengen Area lasting up to 90 days. Applicants must provide various documents, including proof of accommodation, financial means, and academic qualifications. It cannot be extended for longer study and does not allow you to work. For a degree or any course longer than 90 days you need a national (type D) student visa from the country where you will study.
A Schengen work visa does not exist. A Schengen visa does not allow you to work, so you need a national (type D) work visa or permit from the country where you will be employed. Requirements vary by country but usually include a job offer or contract and proof of qualifications. Highly qualified workers may qualify for an EU Blue Card, and young Australians can use working holiday programs with many Schengen countries.
A Schengen Visa for Official Visits permits entry to the Schengen Zone for official engagements like meetings and consultations. Required documents include a signed application, valid passport, insurance, proof of accommodation, and an official invitation. It allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and a decision is usually made within 15 calendar days (up to 45 days in some cases).
A Schengen Visa for Medical Reasons permits entry to the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days for medical treatment. Necessary documents include a visa application form, valid passport, flight details, medical insurance, proof of accommodation, medical treatment confirmation, and financial means. Extensions are rare, reserved for critical health conditions. Anyone travelling with you must apply for their own visa.
Calculate Your Schengen Stay
Check how many days you have left under the 90/180 rule. Enter your travel dates and our calculator estimates how long you can still stay in the Schengen Area. The rule applies to visa holders and visa-free visitors alike, and border guards now count days through EES, so use the calculator as a planning guide.
Schengen Visa News
