Who needs a Schengen visa?

Author: Axel Strauss
Publication date: 04/09/2024
Update date: 04/08/2026 by AXA's team

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Europe? Thinking about a once-in-a-lifetime dream European vacation? Hoping to work and/or study in one of Europe’s many corners? Just passing through? Or — like more and more people from all over the other six continents — maybe even thinking about making Europe your new home?

Whatever the case may be, there’s a good chance that to get to Europe, you’ll first need a Schengen visa. But fear not — because AXA can tell you for sure whether you do (and what that entails) below!

🪪 Schengen visa: what to remember

Here is a quick overview of the key rules around the Schengen visa before you dive in.

  • Citizens of over 100 countries must obtain a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area.
  • The most common type is the short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa, valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian citizens are exempt from the Schengen visa for stays of 90 days or less.
  • Travel insurance meeting EU criteria is a mandatory requirement for any Schengen visa application.
  • Schengen visa regulations change regularly - always check with official sources before travelling.

Contents

Schengen visa: the basics

A Schengen visa is required when visiting the Schengen Area if your country is not covered by a visa exemption agreement - and the rules depend on your nationality, the purpose of your trip, and the length of your stay.

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 visa was created because the Schengen Area - born from the Schengen Agreement of 1985 - abolished internal border controls, making a single, unified travel permit necessary for visitors from outside the zone.

What is less straightforward, however, is the total number of countries on the European continent - there is no single definitive answer, as the figure varies depending on the criteria and the source consulted. The general consensus tends to average at around 50 nations, though that number shifts depending on who - and when - you ask. What we do know is that many of these European nations are united through various political and economic entities - including the the European Union, the Euro Zone, the European Economic Area, and the Schengen Zone.

The Schengen Area was established through the Schengen Agreement - a treaty that abolished internal border controls across a large part of Europe, enabling free movement for millions of travellers. Since its inception back in 1995, the Schengen Zone has grown to include more and more countries, and thus been a steadily expanding part of the European continent. So much so that today, most of Europe can be divided into two distinct parts: Schengen countries and non-Schengen countries. While citizens of the Schengen Area (and most of the European Union) travel visa-free within the zone, nationals of over a hundred non-European countries must obtain a Schengen visa to enter.

Citizens of which countries need a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is required for citizens of 103 countries and territories listed below - covering travel to, through, and between any country within the Schengen Area.

According to Schengen regulations, if you’re a citizen of one (or more) of the 101 countries listed below, you will need a Schengen visa to travel to, through, and/or between any country within the Schengen Area:

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

IMPORTANT NOTE: But remember, this list may vary slightly depending on the latest regulations and/or specific bilateral agreements between countries and the Schengen member states. Always verify the latest requirements with your country's consulate or embassy - and with the Schengen country of destination - before planning your trip, as bilateral agreements may vary.

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 do not need a Schengen visa for stays of 90 days or less within any 180-day period, thanks to visa exemption agreements with the EU.

That is because your home country is among the roughly 60 non-EU countries and territories that have signed visa exemption agreements with the EU (including Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and others).

PRO-TIP: Just make sure your passport is valid for up to at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen. However, resident permit holders (and green card holders) whose passport is from one of the 101 countries on the list above do need to apply for a Schengen visa.

PRO-TIP 2: AXA can tell you all about who else doesn’t need a Schengen visa as well.

What type of Schengen visa do I need?

There are four main types of Schengen visa to choose from - business, work, student, and short-stay - each suited to a different travel purpose and length of stay.

The most common one the world over is the short-stay (aka Type C, aka “tourist” visa) — as it allows you to travel to (and throughout) all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For longer stays, you’ll want to opt for a national (aka Type D) visa. Meanwhile, if you’re planning more than one trip to Europe, you might need a multiple-entry visa. There is also the Type A (airport transit) Schengen visa, which covers citizens of certain non-Schengen countries transiting through a Schengen airport without leaving the international zone.

PRO-TIP 3: AXA can tell you all about the types of Schengen visas (and which one will suit your European travel needs best) too.

What about ETIAS and EES?

ETIAS and EES are two upcoming EU systems that will affect travellers to the Schengen Area - but neither replaces the Schengen visa for those who are required to hold one.

ETIAS - the European Travel Information and Authorisation System - is the EU's new digital entry requirement currently being deployed for travellers who do not need a Schengen visa. ETIAS does not replace the Schengen visa; instead, it is designed to strengthen security and streamline entry for travellers from visa-exempt countries. According to the EU’s official website, ETIAS is set to go into effect in “mid-2025.” But for that to happen, the EU first needs to implement its “Entry/Exit System” — aka EES. EES, in turn, is intended to replace traditional passport stamping. And as of mid-2024, the EU’s website states that EES will be implemented “starting in the second half of 2024.” In short, we recommend you check back with the official source above (i.e., the EU) for the latest developments. And, like us, hope for the best.

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

Some travellers transiting through the international zone of a Schengen airport - even without entering the Schengen Area itself - may need a Type A airport transit Schengen visa, depending on their nationality.

This Type A Schengen visa applies even if you do not leave the international transit area during your connection at a Schengen airport. And as of late 2024, this applies to citizens of the following 12 countries*:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Congo (DR)
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka

According to the European Commission, requiring travelers to apply for an airport transit visa helps both ensure security and effectively manage immigration at Schengen airports. *IMPORTANT NOTES: Under certain conditions, some nationals of the 12 countries listed above are exempt from the Type A visa - consult the European Union Visa Code (Article 3, Paragraph 5) for full details. Additionally, some Schengen states may require a transit visa from nationals of countries not on the list above - check directly with the authorities of the Schengen country you will be transiting through. And to find out if these conditions apply to you, we recommend checking directly with the authorities of the Schengen countries you will be transiting through.

PRO-TIP 4: Keep in mind that Schengen visa regulations change regularly - always consult official sources before booking. So we recommend you always check with the official sources (i.e., those of the European Commission, your home country, and your transit/destination countries) for the latest info before booking that layover too.

How to apply for a Schengen visa from abroad

To apply for a Schengen visa from abroad, the process varies by destination country and by the country you are applying from - find the relevant guide for your situation in the lists below.

And we’re therefore more than happy to help speed up your Schengen visa application process tenfold with the following lists (with corresponding links, and in alphabetical order!) of countries to apply both to and from.

How to apply to a specific Schengen country

Below you will find a Schengen visa guide for each individual Schengen country - select the destination that applies to your trip:

How to apply for a Schengen visa from India

If you are applying for a Schengen visa from India, here are the destination-specific guides to help you through the process:

How to apply for a Schengen from other specific countries

A Schengen visa application looks different depending on where you are applying from - here are guides for several other popular origin countries:

How can AXA help me get my Schengen visa?

Getting a Schengen visa requires the right documentation, the right insurance, and a clear understanding of which type of visa suits your situation - all covered in the sections above.

Securing proper Schengen travel insurance is one of the first - and most essential - steps in your Schengen visa application, and it is exactly what AXA is here to help with. And that’s ensuring that you have proper, top-quality, affordable, and comprehensive Schengen travel insurance. For a Schengen visa application, travel insurance is mandatory. Moreover, the insurance must meet the criteria set out in the EU Visa Code - including a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen Area for the full duration of your stay.

Fortunately, all AXA plans - Basic, Essential, and Annual - meet these Schengen visa insurance requirements. Moreover, if your Schengen visa happens to be denied, AXA will refund you in most cases. We’ll only ask that you provide the appropriate documentation — that is an official explanation as to why your visa was refused (from the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center).

But also keep in mind that even if you don’t need that Schengen visa — travel insurance is never a bad call when going to a new place. Especially one as big and complex (albeit pleasant) as the Schengen Zone.

Learn more about and compare our 4 comprehensive plans to find the right coverage for your Schengen trip - and travel with complete peace of mind.

Which Schengen visa do you need? A quick guide by situation

Your situation Schengen visa type needed Maximum stay Key condition
Citizen of a non-exempt country, tourism or family visit Type C (short-stay Schengen visa) 90 days per 180-day period Valid travel insurance mandatory
Citizen of a non-exempt country, long-term stay (study or work) Type D (national long-stay visa) More than 90 days Apply at the embassy of your destination country
Transit through a Schengen airport, citizen of one of the 12 listed countries Type A (airport transit Schengen visa) Duration of transit only Required even without leaving the international zone
Citizen of the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Australia, short visit No Schengen visa required Up to 90 days per 180-day period Passport must be valid at least 3 months after planned departure
Multiple trips to Schengen countries planned Multiple-entry Schengen visa Up to 90 days per 180-day period Conditions set by the issuing consulate

Learn More About the Schengen Visa

Want to dive deeper into the topic? Check out these related articles:

These frequently asked questions about the Schengen visa might also help:

Can I get a Schengen Visa online?

As of late 2024, you cannot apply for a Schengen visa online - you still need to apply in person at an embassy, consulate, or visa application center. The EU does plan to fully digitize the process in the future. AXA can tell you more.

Can I work or study with a Schengen tourist visa?

No. A Schengen tourist visa (Type C) allows short stays for tourism, business trips, or family visits, but it cannot be converted into a work or study permit. If your visa application is refused, you can either apply again or appeal under Article 32(3) of the Schengen Visa Code - though the final outcome depends on the authorities of your destination country. AXA can tell you more about that too.

Is travel insurance mandatory to apply for a Schengen visa?

Yes, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for a Schengen visa application. It must cover emergency medical expenses and repatriation with a minimum coverage of €30,000, and be valid across all Schengen Area countries for the entire duration of your stay.

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AXA Schengen's Travel Insurances

AXA Schengen Basic

AXA Schengen Basic is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This travel insurance meets all the requirements demanded, covers you in all the countries of the Schengen Area as well as 4 European microstates (Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco and San Marino).

AXA Schengen Essential

AXA Essential is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. It provides coverage in all the Schengen countries + the European microstates + all the EU countries (including UK, Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland). And you get additional guarantees compared to AXA Schengen Basic.

AXA Schengen Annual

AXA Annual is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This annual travel insurance is ideal for those who often travel to Europe as well as multiple-entry Schengen visa holders. You get the same guarantees as AXA Schengen Annual for different countries during 90 days.