What is a Schengen visa?

Are you planning to come to Germany or Europe – to study, work, or live? Then a Schengen visa is often the first step. Find out who it is suitable for, how much it costs, and what you need to keep in mind.

Overview

• The Schengen Visa: What You Need to Know
• Why Is It Called a Schengen Visa?
• Who Needs a Schengen Visa – and Who Doesn’t?
• How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
• How to Apply for a Schengen Visa
• Health Insurance: A Must for a Schengen Visa

Key Facts at a Glance

• A Schengen visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days in one of the 29 Schengen member states – without border controls between these countries.
• The name comes from the Luxembourg municipality of Schengen, where the underlying agreement was signed in 1985.
• For long-term stays to study, work, or live, you instead need a national visa or a residence permit.
• Citizens of many countries – including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States – are exempt from the visa requirement.
• A Schengen visa for Germany costs 80 euros; children under 6, as well as students, school pupils, and teaching staff traveling for study or training purposes, are exempt from the fee.
• Applications are submitted to the German embassy or consulate general in the applicant’s home country; first-time applicants must appear in person.
• Processing can take up to 14 business days – and longer during peak travel periods.
• Travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros is mandatory for the visa application.

The Schengen Visa: What You Need to Know

It allows travelers to stay for up to 90 days in one of the 29 Schengen member states – without border controls between these countries. The name comes from the Luxembourg municipality of Schengen, where the underlying agreement was signed in 1985.

What’s important to know: The Schengen visa covers short-term stays. If you want to study, work, or live in Germany on a long-term basis, you instead need a national visa or a residence permit.

Which Countries Are Part of the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 countries:

Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary.

With a valid Schengen visa, you can travel freely within these countries – ideal for vacations or initial orientation stays.

Why Is It Called a Schengen Visa?

The Luxembourg municipality of Schengen is located near the borders with France and Germany. The Schengen Agreement was signed in Schengen in 1985. It is an agreement between European countries to eliminate controls at their mutual borders. Together, these countries are referred to as the "Schengen Area" or the "Schengen states."

Who Needs a Schengen Visa – and Who Doesn’t?

Citizens of Schengen countries do not need a visa, of course. In addition, citizens of many other countries are exempt from the visa requirement, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and numerous other countries.

If you are from a country that is not on the visa-exemption list and want to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days, you need a Schengen visa.

Not suitable for longer stays: If you want to study, conduct research, or work in Germany, you need a national visa – a Schengen visa is not sufficient for these purposes and cannot be converted into a national visa after arrival.

How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?

A Schengen visa for Germany costs 80 euros. This is a processing fee that may be waived or reduced under certain circumstances. For example, children under 6 do not have to pay a fee. School pupils, students, teaching staff, and other individuals entering Germany for study or training purposes are also exempt from the fee. Here you can find more details about the fees for applying for a Schengen visa.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

The application is submitted to the German diplomatic mission in your home country – usually the German Embassy or German Consulate General. Anyone applying for a Schengen visa for the first time must appear in person.

Since processing can take up to 14 business days – and longer during peak travel periods – you should submit your application at least three weeks before your planned entry date.

What documents are required?

• Completed application form (Schengen visa Type C)
• Valid passport (no more than 10 years old and valid for at least 3 months after your return) + 2 biometric passport photos
• Proof of the purpose of your trip: invitation letter, hotel reservation, flight tickets, or similar documents
• Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank statements from the past 3 months)
• Travel health insurance (at least €30,000 in coverage, valid in all Schengen states)

You can complete the visa application online here.

Health Insurance: A Must for a Schengen Visa

Without valid travel health insurance, a Schengen visa will generally be denied. The insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros for medical emergencies, be valid in all Schengen states, and cover the entire duration of your stay.

If you are planning a long-term stay in Germany – for example, to study or work – you need appropriate health insurance that meets these specific requirements.

If you are looking for suitable insurance for your Type C Schengen visa, it makes sense to choose a plan specifically tailored to the requirements for stays in the Schengen Area. Provisit Visum meets these requirements and can be used directly for your visa application.