The tourist Schengen visa is your golden ticket to enter the heart of Europe and experience its myriad attractions. This article seeks to answer the most common questions about the Schengen visa, so you can embark on your European dream with confidence. The tourist Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows its holder to travel within the Schengen area, a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and border control at their mutual borders. The primary aim of this visa is tourism, whether you’re wishing to marvel at the Eiffel Tower, sail along the canals of Amsterdam, or dive deep into the rich history of Rome. Is a tourist visa open for Schengen? Yes, the tourist visa for the Schengen area is open. However, there might be occasional restrictions or requirements based on global situations or bilateral relations, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest updates before planning your trip. The four most common Schengen visa purposes are listed below (there are others, such as medical and official visit visas). Dive deeper into the details with this comprehensive guide on Schengen visa types. The standard Schengen tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The 6-month Schengen visa is generally a multiple-entry visa that allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but it is valid for 6 months from the issue date. This means you can enter and exit multiple times within that 6-month window, as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days. The processing time for a Schengen visa can vary based on the country and your circumstances. The standard decision time is 15 calendar days at every Schengen consulate, and you must apply to your main destination country, not the one you think is fastest. Appointment waiting times are what usually differ, so book early. For a more detailed guide on applying, visit how to apply for a Schengen visa. Eligibility for a Schengen tourist visa generally includes a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay, a clear travel itinerary, health insurance, and other country-specific requirements. The difficulty in obtaining a Schengen visa can vary based on several factors. The outcome depends mainly on your own documents and circumstances. Refusal rates and appointment waiting times vary between consulates and from year to year, so no country is reliably harder or easier. The term “most powerful” is subjective, but the multiple-entry long-term visas, like the 5-year Schengen visa, offer the most flexibility, allowing travelers to enter and exit the Schengen area multiple times. Under the Schengen cascade rules, travellers who have lawfully used previous visas can be given a 1-year multiple-entry visa, then 2 years, and then up to 5 years, as long as their passport is valid long enough. Along with that, proper documentation, consistent travel history, and other specific requirements will play a role.What is the Tourist Schengen Visa?
FAQs about the Tourist Schengen Visa
What are the 4 types of Schengen visas?
How many months is a Schengen tourist visa?
What is the 6-month Schengen visa?
Which country gives the quickest Schengen visa?
Who is eligible for a Schengen tourist visa?
Which Schengen visa is the hardest?
What is the most powerful Schengen visa?
How do I get a 5-year Schengen visa?
Tourist visa essentials (as at October 2026)
| Item | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Visa category | Uniform short-stay (type C) Schengen visa, purpose: tourism |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any 180-day period across all 29 Schengen countries |
| Visa fee | EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, free for children under 6, plus any visa centre fee |
| When to apply | Up to 6 months before you travel, and at least 15 days before |
| Decision time | Usually 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 days in individual cases |
| Insurance | Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen countries |
| Work allowed? | No. Tourism visas do not allow any employment |
Where to apply: a worked example
You apply to the consulate of the country where you will spend the most nights. If your nights are split evenly, you apply to the country you will enter first.
Say you plan 4 nights in Paris, 8 nights in Italy and 3 nights in Switzerland. Italy is your main destination, so you apply to Italy, even if you fly into Paris. If instead you planned 5 nights each in France and Italy and arrived in France first, you would apply to France.
Applying to a country only because it seems faster or easier is risky. If your bookings show a different main destination, your application can be refused or your visa questioned at the border. See our country guides, for example France, Italy and Spain, and the step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Tourist visa documents
Each consulate publishes its own list, but tourist applications usually include the following.
Identity and application
- Completed and signed application form
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure, with two blank pages
- Recent passport photo meeting ICAO standards
- Copies of previous Schengen visas, if any
Trip details
- Day-by-day itinerary covering every country you will visit
- Return or onward flight reservation
- Hotel or accommodation bookings for every night
- Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000
Funds and ties to home
- Bank statements, usually for the last 3 months
- Employment letter confirming your job and approved leave, or proof of business, study or retirement
- Evidence of reasons to return, such as family, property or ongoing work
Some countries set a minimum amount of money per day of stay. The amount differs between countries, so check the consulate’s current figure.
Travelling as an Australian tourist
If you hold an Australian passport, you do not need a tourist Schengen visa. You can visit for up to 90 days in any 180 days for tourism. Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System registers your face and fingerprints at the external border instead of stamping your passport. Once ETIAS starts (expected late 2026), you will also need an approved ETIAS before you travel.
The same applies if you hold another visa-exempt passport, such as a New Zealand, UK, US or Canadian passport. If you live in Australia on an Australian visa but hold a passport that needs a Schengen visa, you apply for the tourist visa from Australia. Use our Schengen visa calculator to plan your 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.
More tourist visa questions
How much does a tourist Schengen visa cost in 2026?
The standard fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 are free. If the country uses a visa centre, you also pay its service fee.
Can I visit several countries on one tourist visa?
Yes. A standard Schengen visa lets you travel through all 29 Schengen countries, as long as your total stay stays within the dates and number of days on your visa.
Can I work or study on a tourist visa?
You cannot work. Short leisure courses may be possible, but for formal study over 90 days you need a national student visa from the country where you will study.
Can I extend a tourist Schengen visa?
Only in exceptional cases, such as serious illness, force majeure or other serious personal reasons arising after you arrive. Extensions are not given just to continue a holiday.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstays are detected automatically by the Entry/Exit System. You can be fined, removed and banned from returning, and future visa applications are likely to be affected.
Do I need to book flights before I apply?
You usually need a flight reservation, not a paid ticket. Avoid buying non-refundable flights until your visa is decided.