Do I need a Schengen visa, and where do I apply?
Two facts route every Schengen application: whether your nationality needs a visa, and which consulate your itinerary belongs to. Start here.
How does the whole system work?
One visa, 29 countries, one rulebook. Read the complete Schengen visa guide
Does my nationality need a visa?
The EU's two lists decide — plus the exceptions and the airport-transit position. Read who needs a Schengen visa
Three countries on one trip — who decides?
The longest stay; equal stays go to the first country. Read where your application belongs
How many days can I actually stay?
90 days in any 180-day period — a rolling window, with an official calculator. Read the 90/180 rule, explained
I only connect through a European airport
Airport transit is a separate, narrower visa — check it on its own terms. Read the airport transit position
My spouse is an EU citizen
Family members under the Free Movement Directive get a free, accelerated procedure. Read the EU family route
Fresh in this section
NEW Schengen Visa: The Complete Guide
The complete Schengen visa guide: one visa for 29 countries, who needs one, where to apply, the €90 fee, the 15-day decision, insurance and EES records.
NEW Do You Need a Schengen Visa — and Where Do You Apply?
Who needs a Schengen visa: the EU nationality lists, airport transit visas, and the destination rules that decide which consulate owns your application.
NEW The 90/180 Rule, Explained
The Schengen 90/180 rule explained: a rolling 180-day window rather than a reset, why all Schengen days count together, and the Commission's calculator.