Documents Required for Schengen Travel

You will need the following documents in order to obtain a short-term visa to visit Schengen countries.

• Duly filled and signed visa application form.
• Two photographs that should not have been taken more than three months ago.
• Valid passport, no more than ten years old. Even if your passport is about to expire, make sure it is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
• Travel documents that include flight information, dates of entry and exit (Schengen nations), and so on.

Travel insurance documents:

Before you plan to visit Schengen countries, purchase international travel insurance. According to the rules, to visit any Schengen territory, you must have coverage of at least 30,000 euros (around ₹24 lakhs). Travel insurance provides coverage against accidents, repatriation costs, and medical emergencies, including illnesses like COVID-19, in the event of death. Make sure you go through the travel insurance claim process and check the claim settlement ratio when picking a travel insurer.

Accommodation proof:

Accommodation documentation specifies where and when you will stay during your trip. It will keep the embassy updated on your exact location.

• Hotel booking receipt
• Rental agreement
• Invitation letter from the host

Financial documents:
These documents serve as evidence of your financial capability. It informs authorities that you have sufficient funds and are capable of dealing with any emergency that may arise during your trip. The following are the key documents in this case.

You must submit a bank account statement that is no more than three months old.

You will be required to submit a sponsorship letter in which a third party confirms in writing that they will be financially assisting you on your trip to Schengen. The sponsorship letter must be accompanied by a bank account statement issued no more than three months ago.

Fee receipt:

Document proving that you have paid the visa fee. The visa fee is 80 euros (around ₹6500) for adults and 45 euros (around ₹3600) for children aged 6 to 12.

Furthermore, depending on the type of visa you are applying for, Schengen embassies in different countries may request employment-related documents from you.

The documents required for the Schengen visa for Indians vary depending on their occupation. Here are the specifics.

For salaried individuals:

Employment contract
Recent six months bank account statement
Official leave permit from the employer
Recent Income Tax Return (ITR) or income tax certificate stating tax deducted at source (TDS)

For the self-employed individuals:

Business licence
Last six months' statement of your company's current bank account
Recent ITR

Schengen visa documents for Indian students:

Enrollment certificate from the college/university in the Schengen region
No-objection certificate (NOC) from university/school

For retirees:
Bank account statement highlighting pension information for the previous six months.

Unemployed Indian married to an EU national:

Spouse's valid passport
Marriage certificate
Employment letter of spouse highlighting details of job position, joining date, etc. The letter must be no more than three months old.

Schengen visa requirement for minors

If you are the parent of a child under the age of 18, you must provide the following documentation when applying for a visa on their behalf.

Minor child's birth certificate

Application form duly completed and signed by both parents
Submission of a family court order is required in cases where child custody is with one parent.
Both parents' certified passport copies
A notarised parental authorisation is required if the minor child is travelling solo.

The concerned authorities may request a few additional documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

Airport transit Schengen visa

• Flight ticket for the last destination country
• In case the destination country requires a separate visa, a copy of the same.

Visa for visiting your friends or relatives living in Schengen nations

• In case you do not have a bank account and are unable to meet your travel expenses, you must ask a Schengen friend or relative to file an "official affidavit of support" with the relevant office near their residence. The affidavit of support will be required while applying for a Schengen visa.
• A letter stating the purpose of travel and the duration of the trip.
• If you are paying for all of your travel expenses on your own, you must provide documentation to prove your financial situation.

Documents needed for the Schengen tourist visa

• Last six months' bank statement
• "Official affidavit of support" if you are financially incapable of covering your expenses.
• Travel itinerary details such as hotel reservations, any invitation letter from Schengen national, etc.
• An Indian national should maintain a minimum bank balance for the Schengen visa over the last six months, which is at least €3000 (approx. ₹2.5 Lakh).

Documents for training visa

• Certificate of enrollment for a training course for which you are travelling to a Schengen country.
• If applicable, issuance of NOC by the educational institute where you are currently enrolled.

Documents for medical visa

• A letter from a registered medical practitioner in India stating that your medical condition requires medical treatment.
• Letter of confirmation from the EU medical institution where you intend to receive medical treatment.
• Financial documents demonstrating your ability to cover the costs of your medical treatment. Here you may furnish any of the following documents:

1. Bank statement
2. Bank statement and letter of sponsorship
3. Proof of advance payment for medical treatment in Schengen and a bank statement detailing other medical-related expenses.
4. The verbal statement from the Ministry of Health. The note must specify that the government will be responsible for covering treatment costs.

Documents for an education visa

• Two application forms (duly filled and signed)
• Letter of acceptance serving as admission proof to EU university or school
• Financial documents demonstrating your ability to manage your personal expenses during your stay in a Schengen country.

Schengen visa documents for attending religious, cultural, or sports events

• Event-related documents such as entry tickets, a letter of enrollment, or an invitation letter.
• Documents related to previous performances such as winner certificate, certificate of participation, international ranking evidence, etc.

Schengen visa documents for joining your spouse who is living in the Schengen region

• Two application forms
• Marriage certificate (certified copy)
• Your spouse's passport if he or she is Schengen national
• Spouse's residence permit in a Schengen country if he or she does not have EU citizenship.

Travelling to a Schengen country is an exciting experience. The weather and the landscape in these European countries are ideal for a relaxing vacation or improving health conditions. That’s why people from all across the world flock to these places. However, if you do not have the necessary documents to obtain a visa, you may have to postpone or cancel your trip. Also, getting an international travel insurance plan is equally important.