Schengen Visa Types
Traveling to Europe can be a dream come true for many. The continent offers a unique blend of history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Yet, one of the significant factors that facilitate this experience, especially for non-EU travelers, is the Schengen visa. Notably, not all Schengen visas are the same. Depending on your purpose of visit and duration of stay, there are different Schengen visa types tailored to suit various needs.
Understanding the Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows its holder to travel throughout the 29 Schengen countries. However, depending on the nature of the visit, several visa types cater to the traveler’s specific needs. Knowing which one you need is the first step towards a smooth European journey.
Breaking Down the Schengen Visa Types
- Tourist Visa: As the name suggests, this visa type is for individuals who want to visit the Schengen countries for vacation or sightseeing. This is among the most common visa types applied for.
- Business Visa: For professionals who need to attend business-related events, meetings, or conferences in the Schengen zone, the business visa is the right choice. It’s not intended for longer stays or employment.
- Transit Visa: Some nationalities need an airport transit visa (type A) just to change planes in a Schengen airport. If you leave the airport during a stopover, you need a regular short-stay visa or visa-free entry instead.
- Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews Visa: Artists, participants in cultural or sporting events, or film crews shooting in the Schengen zone fall under this category.
- Student Visa: If you’ve been accepted into a short course or a training program within the Schengen area, you’d apply for this visa type. For longer educational stays, national visas might be more appropriate.
- Working Visa: A Schengen short-stay visa does not allow you to take up employment. If you have a job offer in a Schengen country, you normally need a national work visa or permit from that country.
- Official Visit Visa: Reserved for officials from third countries visiting the Schengen zone for official purposes.
- Medical Visa: If someone requires medical treatment in any Schengen country, they’d apply for a medical visa.
Each visa type has its specific requirements and documentation. It’s crucial to ensure that you gather the right documents and fulfill the necessary criteria for your desired visa type.
Schengen visa categories at a glance
Behind the purpose-based names above, the Schengen rules only recognise a few legal categories of visa. The purpose of your trip (tourism, business, medical treatment and so on) decides which supporting documents you give, but most short trips use the same uniform short-stay visa.
| Category | What it allows | Who usually needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transit visa (type A) | Passing through the international transit area of a Schengen airport without entering the Schengen Area | Nationals on the EU common airport transit list, plus any nationalities a particular country adds |
| Uniform short-stay visa (type C) | Stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days across all 29 Schengen countries, with single, double or multiple entries | Visa-required travellers visiting for tourism, family visits, business, short study, medical treatment, culture or sport |
| Limited territorial validity visa (LTV) | Travel only to the country or countries named on the visa | Issued in exceptional cases, for example on humanitarian grounds or when a passport is not recognised by every Schengen country |
| National long-stay visa (type D) | Stays of more than 90 days in one country for work, study, family or other long-term purposes | Anyone, including visa-exempt travellers such as Australians, who wants to live, work or study in one country for longer |
The old type B transit visa no longer exists. If you need to leave the airport or travel overland through the Schengen Area, you need a type C visa (if your nationality requires one).
Which visa type fits your trip?
A type C visa covers sightseeing, holidays and visits to family or friends. You usually show your itinerary, accommodation or an invitation from your host, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, and proof you can pay for the trip. See the tourist visa and visitor visa guides.
Single, double and multiple-entry visas
A type C visa can allow one entry, two entries or multiple entries. The number of entries is printed on the visa sticker in the “Number of entries” field (1, 2 or MULT). With a single-entry visa you can move between Schengen countries freely, but once you leave the Schengen Area you cannot come back on the same visa.
Travellers with a good visa history can benefit from the so-called cascade rules. If you have lawfully used previous Schengen visas, a consulate may issue a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, then 2 years, and then up to 5 years, as long as your passport is valid long enough. Each consulate still assesses every application on its merits, and the 90/180 limit applies throughout. Use our Schengen visa calculator to keep track of your days.
Who does not need a Schengen visa?
Citizens of the EU and the four non-EU Schengen countries move freely. Nationals of visa-exempt countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, can make short visits of up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa. Once ETIAS starts (expected in late 2026), these travellers will need an online travel authorisation instead. Visa-exempt travellers still need a national visa or permit to work, or to stay longer than 90 days.
VisaEnvoy does not provide Schengen visa services. This guide is general information. For advice on your application, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.
FAQs on Schengen Visa Types
Can I switch between Schengen visa types once I’m in the Schengen area?
No, the visa type is issued based on your primary purpose of visit. To change your purpose, you’d need to apply for a different visa.
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area with a Schengen visa?
Typically, you can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period for short-stay visas. The duration might vary based on the visa type.
If my visa is rejected, can I apply again?
Yes, if your visa application is rejected, you can reapply. It’s essential to understand the reason for the refusal and address it in your subsequent application.
Can I extend my Schengen visa?
In exceptional cases, such as force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons, a Schengen visa might be extended. However, this is not the norm.
Do all Schengen countries have the same visa requirements?
While the basic requirements are the same, individual countries might have specific additional requirements based on the visa type.
More questions about Schengen visa types
What is the difference between a type C and a type D visa?
A type C visa is the uniform Schengen short-stay visa for up to 90 days in 180 days across all member countries. A type D visa is a national long-stay visa issued by one country for stays over 90 days, such as study, work or family reunion.
Do Australians need any Schengen visa type for a holiday?
No. Australian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 days. You will need ETIAS once it starts. You only need a visa if you want to work or stay longer than 90 days, in which case you apply for a national visa.
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
The standard fee for a type C visa is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 are free, and some groups pay reduced or no fees. Visa centres charge their own service fee on top. National type D visa fees are set by each country.
Can a type D visa holder travel to other Schengen countries?
Generally yes. A valid national long-stay visa or residence permit from a Schengen country allows short visits of up to 90 days in 180 days to the other Schengen countries.
What is a limited territorial validity visa?
It is a short-stay visa that is only valid for the country or countries named on it. It is issued in exceptional situations and does not allow travel to the rest of the Schengen Area.