Who needs a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen area?

Planning a trip to Europe? Whether you are visiting for tourism, business, or study, you may need a Schengen visa depending on your nationality. Read on to find out whether a visa is required for your nationality and what the visa procedure involves.

Schengen visa: the basics

First, a quick overview of why exactly you might need a Schengen visa in the first place. But heads-up : this stuff tends to get a bit complicated. So feel free to click around for more info both via AXA and the official sources (of which AXA also has plenty of links to as well). In the meantime, here’s “the why” of it in a nutshell.

How did the Schengen visa start?

The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985 and implemented in 1995, abolished internal border controls and created a zone of free movement across the majority of European countries. While EU citizens and nationals of Schengen countries enjoy freedom of movement within the Schengen Area, visitors from over a hundred third countries must obtain a visa before entering the Schengen Area for a short stay.

Citizens of which countries need a Schengen visa?

According to Schengen regulations and migration and home affairs policy, nationals of the third countries and territories listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806 are required to hold a visa when crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area. This is the official list of countries whose nationals are subject to the visa requirement. Entries in the Visa Information System are used by border and visa authorities to verify visa information.

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belize
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• China
• Comoros
• Congo
• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Cuba
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Haiti
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Maldives
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar/Burma
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Russia
• Rwanda
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

The Annex also covers Kosovo and the Palestinian Authority, which are listed separately by the EU as entities and territorial authorities not recognized as states by at least one Member State.

Important note: This list of countries whose citizens are required to hold a visa may change as EU visa policy is updated. Always verify your status with the relevant embassy or consulate, or consult the latest version of EU Regulation 2018/1806, before applying.

Do U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian citizens, residents, and/or green card holders need a Schengen visa?

Citizens of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement and do not need to apply for a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, residency status or holding a Green Card does not in itself determine whether you need a Schengen visa: if your passport is from a country whose nationals are subject to the visa requirement, you will generally still need to apply. For a full list of nationalities exempt from the visa requirement, see who doesn't need a Schengen Visa.

What type of Schengen visa do I need?

If you need to apply, the type of visa you need will depend primarily on the duration and purpose of your stay. For short stays, the most common visa is the short-stay Schengen visa, also known as a Type C visa. It allows you to travel to and throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

A Type C visa can be issued for different purposes, including tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and certain short-term study activities. Different rules and permits apply if you intend to work or study, depending on the destination, purpose and duration of your stay.

A Type C visa may be issued for one, two or multiple entries. If you travel to the Schengen Area regularly, you may be eligible for a multiple-entry visa.

For stays of more than 90 days, national immigration rules generally apply, and you may need a national long-stay visa and/or residence permit depending on the Schengen country concerned and the purpose of your stay.

And then there’s the Type A (aka “airport transit”) visa, which allows certain travelers to transit through the international transit area of a Schengen airport without entering the Schengen Area (but more on that below too!).

PRO-TIP: AXA can tell you all about the types of Schengen visas (and which one may suit your European travel needs best).

What about ETIAS and EES?

ETIAS and EES are two separate European systems for non-EU travelers entering participating European countries. Neither system replaces a Schengen visa.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border management system that records non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay when they cross the external borders of participating European countries. It was progressively introduced from October 2025 and has been fully operational since April 10, 2026. EES electronically records travelers' entry and exit data and has replaced manual passport stamping.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), meanwhile, is a travel authorization for visa-exempt non-EU nationals traveling to participating European countries for short stays. It is not a visa and does not apply to travelers who are required to obtain a Schengen visa. ETIAS is not yet operational and is currently expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026.

As the exact ETIAS launch date has not yet been announced at the time of writing, check the EU’s official website for the latest information before traveling.

Citizens of which countries need a Schengen Airport Transit (aka type A) visa

An airport transit visa is required for citizens of 12 countries when passing through the international transit zone of an airport in the Schengen Area, even without entering the Schengen Area. This common requirement applies to citizens of:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iran
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka

Under certain conditions, some travelers are exempt from this requirement: consult the EU Visa Code (Article 3, Paragraph 5) for details. Note that an airport transit visa is distinct from a visa to visit the Schengen Area: the former covers transit through an airport's international transit area only, while the latter allows entry into the Schengen Area. Holders of certain valid visas or residence permits may be exempt from the airport transit visa requirement. Individual Schengen countries may also apply additional transit visa requirements beyond the common list above, so always verify the requirements for the country where you will transit.

How and where to apply for a Schengen visa?

If you need to apply for a Schengen visa, the application process and competent authority will depend on your main destination and country of legal residence. The sections below provide country-specific guidance organized by destination and applicant residence. Consult the Schengen visa documents checklist for required documents.

How to apply to a specific Schengen country?

Below are direct links to visa application guidance for individual Schengen destinations, covering countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and many more.

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

How to apply for a Schengen visa from India?

If you are applying from India, the links below cover both a general Schengen visa application from India and by destination country.

• Schengen Visa from India (in general)
• Schengen Visa from Mumbai
• Schengen Visa from India to Belgium
• Schengen Visa from India to the Czech Republic
• Schengen Visa from India to Denmark
• Schengen Visa from India to Germany
• Schengen Visa from India to Greece
• Schengen Visa from India to France
• Schengen Visa from India to Iceland
• Schengen Visa from India to Italy
• Schengen Visa from India to The Netherlands
• Schengen Visa from India to Portugal
• Schengen Visa from India to Spain
• Schengen Visa from India to Switzerland

How to apply for a Schengen from other countries?

The links below cover guidance for applying from a range of countries, including China, Indonesia, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S., among others.

• Schengen Visa from China
• Schengen Visa from Indonesia
• Schengen Visa from Jamaica
• Schengen Visa from Mexico
• Schengen Visa from Peru
• Schengen Visa from the Philippines
• Schengen Visa from Saudi Arabia
• Schengen Visa from Thailand
• Schengen Visa from Turkey
• Schengen Visa from the U.K.
• Schengen Visa from the U.S.

How can AXA help me get my Schengen visa?

One key visa requirement that applies to travelers who need to apply for a Schengen visa is travel medical insurance. Schengen regulations make it mandatory to hold valid travel medical insurance covering the entire duration of your stay and all countries within the Schengen Area, with minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation.

Travel insurance must be in place before your visa application is submitted, and proof of coverage is a required document in the visa application process. Fortunately, all three AXA plans (i.e., Basic, Essential, and Annual) meet this requirement.

Moreover, if your Schengen visa application is officially refused, AXA may refund your insurance premium, subject to the applicable policy terms and conditions. You will need to provide the official visa refusal letter issued by the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center.

So learn more about and compare our 3 comprehensive plans to see how, with the right AXA plan, you can meet the travel insurance requirements for your Schengen visa application and travel with greater peace of mind.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• How to fill out the Schengen visa form
• Easiest countries to get a Schengen visa to (and from)
• Schengen visa tracking online
• Understanding Europe from A to Z
• How safe is Europe to visit?

FAQ about the Schengen visa

Can I get a Schengen Visa online?

Not fully yet. The EU is introducing a digital Schengen visa application platform, but the new system is not yet fully operational across the Schengen Area. Depending on where you apply, some parts of the application process may already be completed online, while an in-person appointment may still be required, particularly to provide biometrics. AXA can tell you more.

Can I work or study with a Schengen tourist visa?

A short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) does not automatically give you the right to work or undertake long-term studies in the Schengen Area. Different national rules, visas or permits may apply depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. AXA can tell you more about that too.

What should I do if my visa is refused?

If your Schengen visa is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision. The refusal notice should explain the reasons for the decision and provide information on how and within what time limit you can appeal. The appeal procedure is governed by the national law of the Member State that made the final decision. You may also submit a new application, particularly if your circumstances have changed or you can address the reasons for the initial refusal.

Who needs a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area?

Whether you need a Schengen visa depends on your nationality. Citizens of certain countries are exempt from the visa requirement and can travel visa-free for short stays, while nationals of other countries must apply in advance at an embassy, consulate, or visa application center. If you are unsure whether you need a visa, check the official list of visa-required nationalities before planning your trip.

What is the 90-day rule within a 180-day period for Schengen visa holders?

A short-stay Schengen visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, although the specific duration authorized by your visa may be shorter. The 90/180-day limit applies to the Schengen Area as a whole, not separately to each country. Exceeding your authorized stay can lead to penalties and may affect future visa applications.

Is there a visa fee to apply for a Schengen visa?

Yes. The standard Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12, while children under six are generally exempt. Reduced fees or exemptions may apply to certain applicants, and additional service fees may apply when submitting an application through a visa application center. Visa fees are generally non-refundable, even if the application is refused.