Guides on this topic
- Which country to apply toYou apply for a Schengen visa to your trip's main destination: the only country you visit, or the country where you will stay longest. If no main destination can be determined, the country where you first enter the Schengen area is responsible.
- The 90/180-day ruleYou may stay in the Schengen area for at most 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry and exit days both count, and the window is recalculated backwards every day.
- Document checklistEvery Schengen application needs the same core documents, with extra papers depending on your job, age and purpose of travel. The binding list is the one published by the consulate of the country you apply to.
- Travel medical insuranceA Schengen visa application needs travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover, valid throughout the Schengen area and for your entire stay.
- Visa refusal and appealA Schengen visa refusal is notified on a standard form that states the reasons, and you can appeal it under the national law of the refusing country. The alternative is a new application that addresses those reasons.
- EES Entry/Exit SystemEES is the system that electronically records the identity, biometric data and entries and exits of non-EU travellers on short stays at the Schengen border. It replaced passport stamps and has been fully operational since 10 April 2026.
Visa types
Tourist visa
A short-stay (type C) visa for holidays and sightseeing, allowing up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Business visa
For meetings, trade fairs, client visits or training; an invitation from the host company is the core of the file.
Visiting family or friends
For visiting relatives or friends living in a Schengen country; an invitation letter and the host's residence document are usually requested.
National (type D) visa
Stays longer than 90 days, such as study, work or family reunification, need each country's own national visa, not a Schengen visa.
Typical documents
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure, issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages
- Completed and signed visa application form
- Recent biometric passport photo
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area with at least €30,000 coverage
- Return flight reservation and travel itinerary
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
- Recent bank statements
- For employees: employer letter, payslips and social security (SGK) service record
- For business owners: tax registration, trade registry gazette and certificate of activity
- For students: certificate of enrolment; for retirees: proof of pension
- Full civil registry record (tam tekmil vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği)
Document lists vary by applicant and by consulate; the consulate's current official list is always the one that counts.
How to apply
- 1
Work out your main destination: the country where you will spend the most time or, if stays are equal, the country you enter first.
- 2
Choose the visa category that matches your purpose and check that country's current document list.
- 3
Complete the application form and gather your documents in the order the list requires.
- 4
Book an appointment with the consulate or its authorised visa application centre.
- 5
Attend the appointment, submit your documents and give your fingerprints and photo.
- 6
Track your application and collect your passport once a decision is made.
Practical tips
- You can apply up to six months before travel; in busy seasons, planning your appointment early makes everything easier.
- On a multi-country trip, apply according to the main-destination rule; an inconsistent itinerary can lead to a refusal.
- Show steady income rather than a large unexplained deposit made just before you apply.
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) is now used at Schengen external borders, so your fingerprints and facial image may be recorded on your first entry.
- Using previous Schengen visas as intended builds a travel history that works in your favour next time.
Official sources
We checked the information on this page against the official sources below. Always confirm the current rules there before you apply.