​​​What is the first port of entry for a Schengen visa and what should I know?

Written by: Kurt Hambadda
Published on: 08/21/2025

If you need a visa to enter Europe’s dozens of Schengen countries, then you may have already heard of the Schengen Visa “first port of entry rule.” Understanding this particular requirement can be crucial in ensuring that your Schengen visa application process goes as smoothly as possible.

Fortunately for you, Schengen travel insurance pros AXA have not only all you need to know about the Schengen visa. But we also made a comprehensive breakdown of its first point of entry rule below (followed by a few more ways we can help)!

• What is the first port of entry for a Schengen Visa?
• Do I have to enter the Schengen Area through the country that issued my visa?
• So which country should I apply for my Schengen visa to?
• What information do I need to provide about my first port of entry when applying for my Schengen Visa?
• What else do I need to know to successfully apply for my Schengen visa?
• How can AXA help?

What is the first port of entry for a Schengen Visa?

Schengen visa applications are fairly straightforward and more or less universal. And that’s no matter where in the Schengen you’re going or where you’re coming from.

However, if you’re planning to use your Schengen visa to visit more than one Schengen country, the first port of entry rule is something you want to pay attention to. Because this seemingly minor (and therefore sometimes overlooked) detail can actually make or break your visa application!

So first, what exactly is your first port of entry? Well, simply put, your first port of entry is the country (i.e., port) through which you enter the Schengen Area for the first time from the outside. But here’s a further breakdown to make sure you got all your bases covered.

Do I have to enter the Schengen Area through the country that issued my visa?

No. Schengen authorities stipulate that you must apply for your Schengen visa with the country where you plan to spend the majority of your stay. And that’s not necessarily the country you plan to enter the Schengen through.

In other words, the first Schengen country you visit (i.e., your first port of entry) is simply the country through which - as a visa holder - you first set foot in the Schengen Zone. But it does not necessarily need to be the same as the country that issues you your Schengen Visa

Which country should I apply to for my Schengen visa?

Great question! And the answer depends on where exactly throughout the Schengen you’re going, and how much time you plan to spend in each respective destination.
For example, according to the European Commission:

If you are planning to visit just one Schengen country

• You must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country* that you intend to visit.

*In other words, no need to worry about your first port of entry. Because this one Schengen country is, as it were, both your first and last point of entry into the Schengen!

If you are planning to visit more than one Schengen country

• You must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country where you will spend the most time (and this is - you guessed it - where that first port of entry rule kicks in).
   
• If you are planning to spend an equal amount of time in various Schengen States, you should apply at the embassy of the country whose external borders you will cross first when entering the Schengen area (i.e., your first port of entry).

PRO-TIP: While AXA has a ton of stuff to help you both get your visa and travel worry-free, it’s always best to double-check all specific entry requirements of your destination country/countries before travel. Fortunately, to help you do just that, the European Commission’s official website provides links to all Schengen diplomatic missions worldwide!

Can I enter the Schengen area through one Schengen country if my visa was issued by another Schengen country?

Another great question! And, generally speaking, yes, you can. That is, s a general rule, you may cross any Schengen border with a visa issued by any Schengen country. In fact - fun fact - that was the whole idea behind the historical Schengen Agreement in the first place.

However, you should try and stick to your itinerary as filed when applying for your Schengen Visa. After all, you are a guest in the historical, border-free area that is the Schengen Zone - and therefore want to keep things as legal and by-the-book as possible.

What information do I need to provide about my first port of entry when applying for my Schengen Visa?

When applying for a Schengen Visa, you will need to provide a full itinerary of your trip - including where you plan to enter the Schengen Area (i.e., your first port of entry). And you’ll also need to have those flight tickets and/or bookings ready and on-hand for your visa application appointment to back this up.

How do I prove my Schengen Visa itinerary?

Officials will often ask you if you can provide a booked flight itinerary and/or flight reservation to prove your travel plans and that you will not overstay your visa. Sometimes, they might even ask you to submit the actual ticket for your visit.

Does that mean I have to buy my ticket before applying for a visa?

Unfortunately, it might. However, if you are worried about losing the cost of your ticket if your visa application is refused, some airlines provide dummy tickets, airline ticket with a hold option or short-term reservations for a portion of the cost of a ticket.
Thesewill allow you to provide a flight booking proving your itinerary and first port of entry.

PRO-TIP: AXA can also tell you all you need to know about a proper flight itinerary for a Schengen Visa!

What else do I need to know to successfully apply for my Schengen visa?

Hopefully, the info above clears up any doubts you may have had regarding your first port of entry into the Schengen.

But to ensure that your Schengen visa application is as smooth and painless as possible, AXA has also compiled a bunch of other answers to some common questions you might have as an applicant, such as:

• What type of Schengen visa do I need?
• What documents are required for a Schengen Visa application?
• How long does it take to get a Schengen visa?
• How much does a Schengen visa cost?
• How to extend a Schengen visa?
• How can I track my Schengen visa status?
• How long is the Schengen visa valid? What happens if I overstay?

How can AXA help?

And perhaps the best way AXA can ensure both your Schengen visa and your subsequent European adventure is by providing you with some top-quality, first-class Schengen travel insurance!

After all, having travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for your visa. And it can’t be just any travel insurance either.
Fortunately, all of AXA’s plans meet the necessary travel insurance criteria for being granted a Schengen visa!

Purchasing a plan, meanwhile, is quick, easy, and straightforward.
In fact, you can purchase any AXA plan online in a matter of minutes!
And AXA has no age limits, zero deductibles, and requires no medical exam.

Meanwhile, the world-famous AXA travel insurance certificate is recognized and accepted by all Schengen embassies, consulates, and visa application centers around the world - and no matter your first port of entry.

And, perhaps most importantly - once you arrive in Europe, our plans provide countless benefits — from 24/7 support to free remote medical consultation and assistance to coverage of lost items or documents. And much, much more!

So as you book that ticket and double-check your flight itinerary, first point of entry, and everything in between, make sure to take a minute and

Compare AXA’s different benefits
and
get a free AXA quote as well.

Because with the right AXA plan, you can enter the Schengen wherever and whenever you like - and either stay or travel there safely, worry-free, and with peace of mind too!

Related articles:

• Do I need a Schengen visa?
• Non-Schengen European countries
• What is ETIAS?

FAQ

Can I change my first port of entry?

In most cases, yes. However, you are also generally advised to stick close to your itinerary when traveling to the Schengen Area - - even if your travel plans are more flexible when you are already there. In any case, your best bet is to check with the authorities of the specific Schengen country/countries you plan to visit.

Why is the U.K. not in the Schengen Area?

The U.K. opted out of the Schengen initiative partially due to its island geography. And following Brexit, it is extremely unlikely to join in the near future. Meanwhile, AXA can tell you more about the UK and the Schengen Area.

Can I travel anywhere in Europe with a Schengen Visa?

No. Not all European countries are within the Schengen Area, so you should check before you travel.

FINAL PRO-TIP: And AXA can tell you all about the key differences between Europe, the EU, and the Schengen Zone too!