Can I visit other Schengen countries on one visa?

Yes — a standard Type C visa is valid across the whole area. But you must apply through your main destination, and border officers can ask you to evidence it.

What is the 90/180 rule?

Across all Schengen countries combined, your stays may not exceed 90 days inside any rolling 180-day window. The count is continuous — a calculator beats guessing.

Does a Schengen refusal appear in the system?

Yes, refusals are recorded in the shared VIS database. Reapplying with the refusal reason directly addressed is the correct response.

🇪🇺 Schengen Area

🇪🇺 Schengen Area · Short-stay visa (Type C)

Schengen short-stay visa — one visa, 29 countries, honest numbers

A Schengen Type C visa allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries. The standard adult fee is €90, you apply at the consulate or visa centre of your main destination, and the legal processing standard is 15 calendar days — extendable to 45 in complex cases.

who needs it	Nationals of countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement. Apply to the country of your main destination — not simply the easiest appointment.
government fee	€90 — adults; €45 children 6–12; some nationalities have facilitation ratessource: European Commission — visa policy · verified 2026-07
processing	15 calendar days by regulation, up to 45 in individual casesthe 15-day clock starts at an admissible application — appointment wait times are separate and vary widely by consulate and season · source: EU Visa Code · verified 2026-07
length of stay	Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, across all Schengen states combined.

documents you will need

Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure
Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 coverage, all Schengen states
Round-trip reservation and accommodation for the whole stay
Proof of funds (many consulates publish a per-day figure)
Employment evidence and leave letter, or business documents
Ties to your country of residence

how the process runs

01Determine your main destination country — it decides where you must apply
02Book the appointment (VFS/TLS/consulate depending on country)
03Prepare the file to that consulate's published checklist — they differ
04Attend, give biometrics (valid 59 months across Schengen), pay the fee
05Track and collect; check the visa sticker for date and entry errors immediately

why applications get refused

Justification for purpose and conditions of stay not convincing
Insufficient means of subsistence for the stay declared
Intention to leave the Schengen area could not be ascertained
Invalid or insufficient travel insurance

questions we actually get

Can I visit other Schengen countries on one visa?: Yes — a standard Type C visa is valid across the whole area. But you must apply through your main destination, and border officers can ask you to evidence it.
What is the 90/180 rule?: Across all Schengen countries combined, your stays may not exceed 90 days inside any rolling 180-day window. The count is continuous — a calculator beats guessing.
Does a Schengen refusal appear in the system?: Yes, refusals are recorded in the shared VIS database. Reapplying with the refusal reason directly addressed is the correct response.

rules change. we verify before we act.

This guide reflects the official sources as of 2026-07 (matrix 2026.Q3). For a decision about your own case, that is not enough — talk to a licensed advisor.

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