Facts about Schengen visas

 

Visa guide - Schengen visas 

You may have heard of the word Schengen and thought, 'What's it all about?' Here's the low down on Schengen visas.

A multiple-entry Schengen visa allows you more than one entry into the Schengen region.

If you've just arrived in London and are planning to scoot off to Europe, think twice. Do you need a Schengen visa? If you're from South Africa chances are you do. So what's it all about?

Schengen is a town in Luxembourg where seven countries signed a treaty to allow for free travel between certain European countries without internal boundary checks. The number of countries has since expanded to 15 Schengen states.

Some people living in London, such as South Africans, require a visa to enter these Schengen states but it varies with the passport you are travelling on and how long you are travelling for. Here are some general tips to help you out:

What is a Schengen country?

There are 15 Schengen countries in Europe that have agreed to allow free movement across their borders without people having to obtain a visa in each country. These countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Not all European Union (EU) countries are Schengen countries, such as Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic.

What is a Schengen visa?

As there are no or few internal boundary stops and checks between Schengen countries, the Schengen visa is like a common visa that gives you the freedom to travel around the Schengen region while the visa is valid.

Multiple-entry Schengen visas

A multiple-entry Schengen visa allows you more than one entry into the Schengen region, so you can return to the UK and re-enter the region at a later date. Not all embassies issue multiple entry visas though, preferring to issue single-entry visas for one specific trip.

This visa provides greater flexibility as it may be validated up to a year, allowing you to visit Europe for a total of 90 days. However, embassies are quite strict on these visas and take into account your travel history and financial situation before issuing the visa. Also, you must enter Europe via the country you have obtained the visa from for it to be validated.

Who needs a Schengen visa?

Anyone with a European Economic Area (EEA) passport or those who are Schengen residents don't need a visa to visit Schengen countries.

Great Britain has not signed the Schengen Agreement but most British passport holders will not require a Schengen visa. If you hold a permanent or temporary residency permit to reside in the UK, you may still need a visa in order to enter the Schengen zone.


A very random selection of countries require Schengen visas so it is best to contact the embassy for the country in which you're travelling to find out for sure.


*See the table below to find out if you need a Schengen visa.

Types of Schengen visas

There are three types of Schengen visas. The Short Stay Visa is the most common.

Short Stay Visas, also known as travel visas, allow you to enter the Schengen nations for a cumulative total of 90 days, in any six month period.

Airport Transit Visas allow you to travel through the international transit zone in a Schengen member nation on the way to their final destination, but do not allow visitors to enter the territory of the country.

Transit Visas allow visitors to travel through the national territory of several Schengen nations en route to a final destination, however, in a period no longer than five days.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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