Required documents for a short-stay Schengen visa
The core Schengen document set every consulate asks for, plus the extra papers individual EU countries add to their own checklists.
| Country | Extra documents | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; One recent biometric photo; Proof of UK residence status (visa or BRP) for non-UK nationals; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 Schengen cover |
| Belgium | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; UK residence permit or visa proving lawful stay in the UK; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 cover for the Schengen area; Proof of accommodation in Belgium or an invitation letter |
| Bulgaria | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Croatia | 6 listed | Return or onward ticket, which border officers may ask to see; Proof of accommodation; Evidence of sufficient funds; Travel insurance (recommended, not mandatory) |
| Cyprus | 10 listed | Completed Cyprus visa application form; Travel and medical insurance covering Cyprus; Flight booking or itinerary; Hotel booking or invitation letter |
| Czechia | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; One recent biometric photo; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 Schengen cover; Proof of accommodation or invitation letter |
| Denmark | 10 listed | Completed and signed application form generated by ApplyVisa; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 Schengen cover; Flight booking or itinerary; Proof of accommodation or invitation letter |
| Estonia | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Finland | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| France | 10 listed | France-Visas application form; 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Flight reservation |
| Germany | 10 listed | Visa application form (VIDEX system); 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Flight reservation |
| Greece | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Hungary | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; One recent 35x45mm photo; Proof of UK residence status for non-UK nationals; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 Schengen cover |
| Ireland | 10 listed | Signed AVATS application summary sheet; Proof of UK immigration status or residence permit; Cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit; Bank statements showing sufficient funds |
| Italy | 9 listed | Schengen visa form (English or Italian); 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Round-trip flight |
| Latvia | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Lithuania | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Luxembourg | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Malta | 10 listed | Completed Schengen visa application form; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 cover; Round-trip flight reservation; Proof of accommodation |
| Netherlands | 9 listed | Schengen visa application form; 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Flight reservation |
| Poland | 9 listed | e-Konsulat printed application; 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Flight reservations |
| Portugal | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 Schengen cover; Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter); Round-trip flight reservation or itinerary |
| Romania | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Slovakia | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Slovenia | 10 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary |
| Spain | 11 listed | Completed Schengen visa application form; 2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, white background); Travel medical insurance min. €30,000 coverage; Round-trip flight reservation |
| Sweden | 11 listed | Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; One recent biometric photo; Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 Schengen cover; Proof of accommodation or invitation letter |
Figures are the consular amounts and typical decision times recorded on our country pages. Visa application centres (VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact, Capago and others) add their own service fee, and courier, photo or insurance costs are extra.
Frequently asked questions
- What documents does every EU country ask for?
- A completed application form, a passport valid at least three months beyond your intended departure with two blank pages, a recent biometric photo, travel medical insurance with €30,000 cover, proof of accommodation and transport, and evidence of sufficient funds. Individual countries add their own extras, listed per country in the table on this page.
- Do these figures include application-centre service fees?
- No. The amounts shown are the consular fees set by each country. VFS Global, BLS International, TLScontact, Capago and similar partners charge their own service fee, and courier, SMS, photo and insurance add-ons are extra.
Related guides
- France tourist visa
- Spain tourist visa
- Italy tourist visa
- Germany tourist visa
- Netherlands tourist visa
- Greece tourist visa
- Portugal tourist visa
- Austria tourist visa
Or compare countries side by side and browse all guides.