✉️ Schengen Visa Invitation Letter: Sample & Template
If you're visiting family or friends in Europe, an invitation letter is a crucial document for your Schengen visa application. This guide provides free templates, explains what host documents are required, and shows exactly how to write a proper invitation letter that gets approved.
Table of Contents
What is an Invitation Letter for Schengen Visa?
An invitation letter (also called a letter of invitation or hosting letter) is a formal document written by someone living in the Schengen Area who is inviting you to visit them. It serves as:
- 📝 Proof of purpose - Shows you're visiting family/friends, not just tourism
- 🏠 Accommodation proof - Confirms where you'll stay during your visit
- 💰 Financial support - May include host's commitment to cover expenses
- 🤝 Relationship proof - Establishes genuine connection between you and host
⚠️ Important: The invitation letter must be written by your host (the person living in Europe), NOT by you (the visa applicant). It's from their perspective explaining why they're inviting you.
When is an Invitation Letter Required?
Invitation letters are required/recommended when:
- ✅ Visiting family members (parents, siblings, children)
- ✅ Visiting friends who will host you
- ✅ Staying at someone's private residence (not hotel)
- ✅ Applying for a family visit visa
- ✅ Host is sponsoring your trip financially
Not required if:
- ❌ Pure tourism with hotel bookings
- ❌ Business trip with company invitation
- ❌ No connection to anyone in Schengen
Requirements by Country
| Country | Invitation Letter Policy |
|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | Required for family visits + must be validated at town hall |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Required for family visits ("Verpflichtungserklärung" for sponsorship) |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Required + notarization recommended |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Required for staying with host |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Required for family visits |
What to Include in Invitation Letter
Host (Inviter) Information
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Residence status (citizen, permanent resident, work permit holder)
- Full address in Schengen country
- Contact details (phone, email)
- Passport/ID number
Guest (You - Visa Applicant) Information
- Full name (as in passport)
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Current address (home country)
Visit Details
- Purpose of visit (family reunion, vacation together)
- Relationship to host (sister, friend, cousin, etc.)
- Exact dates of stay (arrival and departure)
- Where guest will stay (host's address)
- What you'll do together (visit attractions, family time)
Financial Commitment (if applicable)
- Whether host will cover accommodation (free stay)
- If host will provide meals
- Any financial sponsorship being offered
Relationship Proof
- How you know each other
- How long you've known each other
- Previous visits or interactions
Host Supporting Documents Required
The invitation letter alone is NOT enough. Your host must provide supporting documents proving their status and ability to host you:
📋 Standard Host Documents:
- ✅ Residence proof: Residence permit/ID card/passport copy
- ✅ Address proof: Utility bill, rental contract, or property deed
- ✅ Financial proof: Host's bank statements (3-6 months)
- ✅ Employment proof: Host's employment letter, salary slips
- ✅ Relationship proof: Birth certificates, marriage certificate, photos together
- ✅ Invitation letter: Signed original (sometimes notarized)
France Specific: "Attestation d'accueil"
For France, hosts must obtain a special certified invitation called "Attestation d'accueil" from their local town hall (mairie). Process:
- Host goes to local mairie with documents
- Pays fee (~€30-50)
- Receives official stamped attestation
- Sends original to you for visa application
Germany Specific: "Verpflichtungserklärung"
For financial sponsorship in Germany, host gets a formal declaration:
- Host visits local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners office)
- Signs binding commitment to cover guest's expenses
- Provides financial proof (bank statements, income)
- Official document issued for visa application
Sample 1: Parent Inviting Adult Child
Michael O'Brien 25 Ashford Drive Dublin 8, D08 X7Y2 Ireland Email: michael.obrien@email.ie Phone: +353 87 123 4567 February 1, 2026 To Whom It May Concern, Subject: Letter of Invitation for Schengen Visa Application I am writing this letter to invite my daughter, Sarah O'Brien, passport number P1234567, date of birth March 15, 1995, currently residing at 123 Main Street, Mumbai, India, to visit me in Ireland from March 20, 2026, to April 5, 2026 (16 days). About Me (Host): I am Michael O'Brien, an Irish citizen (Passport Number: IE9876543), born on June 10, 1965. I have been living in Dublin, Ireland, for my entire life and currently reside at 25 Ashford Drive, Dublin 8. I am employed as a Senior Manager at ABC Corporation Ltd., Dublin, where I have worked for the past 18 years. Relationship: Sarah is my daughter. She moved to India in 2020 for work and has been living there since. We have maintained close contact through regular video calls and messages. This will be her first visit back to Ireland to see the family since 2023, and we are very excited to spend time together. Purpose and Details of Visit: The purpose of Sarah's visit is purely for family reunion and vacation. During her 16-day stay, she will: - Stay at my residence (address above) free of charge - Spend quality time with family members - Celebrate her younger brother's wedding anniversary on March 25 - Visit family friends and relatives in Dublin - Take short day trips around Ireland (Wicklow, Galway) I will provide Sarah with free accommodation in my home, which has a spare guest bedroom. She will also join us for family meals. I am financially capable of supporting her visit should she need any assistance, though she has her own funds for personal expenses. My Financial and Social Status: I am financially stable with a monthly salary of €5,500. I own the property where Sarah will stay (mortgage-free), and I have been a taxpayer in Ireland for over 30 years. My family (wife and son) also live with me at the same address. Assurance: I guarantee that Sarah will respect all visa conditions, return to India before her visa expires, and will not overstay or seek employment during her visit. She has a stable job in India and strong ties to return to. Should you require any further information or documentation, please feel free to contact me at the details provided above. Yours sincerely, [Signature] Michael O'Brien Irish Passport Number: IE9876543 Date: February 1, 2026 Enclosed Documents: 1. Copy of my Irish passport 2. Proof of residence (utility bill - January 2026) 3. Employment letter from ABC Corporation Ltd. 4. My bank statements (last 3 months) 5. Property ownership documents 6. Sarah's birth certificate (showing I am her father) 7. Family photos together
Sample 2: Friend Inviting Friend
Anna Schmidt Hauptstraße 45, Apartment 3B 10115 Berlin, Germany Email: anna.schmidt@email.de Phone: +49 30 1234 5678 February 1, 2026 To, The Visa Officer German Embassy [Embassy Address] Subject: Letter of Invitation for Tourist Visa - Hosting Friend Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to invite my friend, Ravi Kumar, passport number K5678910, date of birth August 22, 1990, residing at 456 Park Road, New Delhi, India, to visit me in Berlin, Germany, from April 10-20, 2026 (11 days). About Me: My name is Anna Schmidt, a German citizen (ID Card Number: DE123456789), born January 5, 1991, living in Berlin. I work as a Software Engineer at TechBerlin GmbH and have been residing at Hauptstraße 45 since 2022. Our Friendship: Ravi and I met in 2018 when we both studied at Technical University of Munich. We became close friends during our master's program and have stayed in touch since his return to India in 2020. We communicate regularly via video calls and messaging. This will be his first visit to Germany since graduation, and I am excited to show him around Berlin. Visit Details: Ravi will stay at my apartment in Berlin for the entire duration (April 10-20, 2026). I have a spare bedroom and will provide accommodation free of charge. We plan to: - Explore Berlin's tourist attractions (Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, museums) - Visit Potsdam for a day trip - Attend a classical music concert - Cook traditional German meals together - Simply enjoy catching up after years apart Accommodation and Support: I will host Ravi at my apartment at no cost. While he will cover his own travel expenses, flights, and personal spending, I will provide accommodation and some meals. My apartment is spacious enough to comfortably host a guest. My Financial Situation: I am employed full-time at TechBerlin GmbH with a stable monthly income of €4,200. I have been working there since 2021 and have a permanent employment contract. My bank statements demonstrate financial stability. Assurance: I assure you that Ravi will return to India after his visit. He has a job at an IT company in Delhi and family responsibilities that require his return. This is purely a short vacation to reconnect with an old friend. If you need any additional information or documents, please contact me. Respectfully, [Signature] Anna Schmidt German ID: DE123456789 Date: February 1, 2026 Attached: 1. Copy of German ID card (both sides) 2. Residence registration (Meldebescheinigung) 3. Rental contract for my apartment 4. Employment contract with TechBerlin GmbH 5. Salary slips (last 3 months) 6. Bank statements (last 3 months) 7. Photos of Ravi and me from university (2018-2020) 8. Email/chat history showing our ongoing friendship
Sample 3: Invitation with Full Sponsorship
Jean Dupont 12 Rue de la République 75001 Paris, France Email: jean.dupont@email.fr Phone: +33 6 12 34 56 78 February 1, 2026 To, The Visa Officer French Embassy [Embassy Address] Subject: Letter of Invitation and Financial Sponsorship Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to invite my brother, Pierre Dupont, passport number PD789123, date of birth February 20, 1988, currently residing at 789 Lake Avenue, Toronto, Canada, to visit me in Paris, France, from May 1-15, 2026 (15 days). Host Information: I am Jean Dupont, a French citizen (Passport Number: FR123789), born July 12, 1985, residing in Paris. I am a medical doctor working at Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, where I have been employed for 8 years. Relationship: Pierre is my younger brother. He immigrated to Canada in 2015 for work and has been living there ever since. We maintain close family contact, and I visited him in Toronto in 2024. Now it's his turn to visit France and reunite with our family here. Purpose of Visit: Pierre will visit me and our parents (who also live in Paris) for a family reunion. This coincides with our mother's 70th birthday celebration on May 10, which is a special family occasion. During his stay, Pierre will: - Stay at my residence at 12 Rue de la République - Attend our mother's birthday celebration - Spend time with extended family in Paris - Visit family friends - Take short trips around Paris and nearby regions Financial Sponsorship: I will fully sponsor Pierre's trip, including: - ✓ Free accommodation at my home - ✓ All meals during his stay - ✓ Local transportation costs - ✓ Any additional expenses he may incur during his visit I have sufficient financial means to support this visit. I earn a stable monthly salary of €7,500 as a senior doctor, and my bank statements show a healthy balance well exceeding the requirements for hosting a guest for 15 days. Accommodation Details: I own a 3-bedroom apartment in central Paris (deed attached). Pierre will have his own private bedroom. My wife and I live here, and we have ample space to comfortably host family members. Return Assurance: Pierre has a permanent job as an engineer in Toronto, Canada, with a Canadian permanent residence permit. He has strong ties to Canada, including property ownership and family (his wife and young daughter remain in Toronto during this visit). He will absolutely return to Canada after this family visit. I have obtained the official Attestation d'accueil from the Mairie du 1er Arrondissement, Paris, as required for hosting family members. The original certified document is enclosed with this letter. For any questions or additional information, please contact me at the details above. Sincerely, [Signature] Jean Dupont French Passport: FR123789 Medical License: ML123456 Date: February 1, 2026 Enclosed Documents: 1. Attestation d'accueil (original, certified by Mairie) 2. Copy of my French passport 3. Proof of residence (electricity bill, January 2026) 4. Property ownership deed 5. Employment letter from Hôpital Saint-Louis 6. Salary slips (last 3 months) 7. Bank statements (last 6 months) 8. Birth certificates (proving we are brothers) 9. Family photos 10. My French national ID card copy
Do You Need to Notarize the Invitation Letter?
| Country | Notarization Required? |
|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | No - But must get "Attestation d'accueil" from town hall |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Not mandatory - But "Verpflichtungserklärung" from authorities if sponsoring |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Recommended - Notarization strengthens application |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Not required - Simple signed letter acceptable |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Not required - But must include host documents |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Not required - Signed letter with host documents |
💡 General Rule:
Even if not mandatory, notarization adds credibility. If your host can easily get the letter notarized by a public notary, it's worth doing. Cost is usually €20-50.
Even if not mandatory, notarization adds credibility. If your host can easily get the letter notarized by a public notary, it's worth doing. Cost is usually €20-50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write the invitation letter myself?
Technically, you can draft it for your host to review and sign, but it MUST be signed by the host and written from their perspective ("I am inviting..."). It should never be signed by you (the visa applicant). The embassy needs to see it's genuinely from your host.
Does my host need to be a citizen of the Schengen country?
No. Your host can be:
- ✅ A citizen of that country
- ✅ A permanent resident
- ✅ Someone with valid residence permit (work permit, student visa)
What if I'm staying with my host for only part of my trip?
That's fine. The invitation letter should specify the exact dates you'll stay with them (e.g., "will stay with me April 10-15"). For other dates, provide hotel bookings. Make sure your itinerary clearly shows this split.
Do I still need hotel bookings if I have an invitation letter?
No, if you're staying with your host for the entire trip, the invitation letter + host's address proof replaces hotel bookings. However, if you're only staying with them part of the time, provide hotel bookings for the remaining nights.
Can my host invite multiple people in one letter?
Yes, if traveling as a family. For example, a host can invite "my sister Sarah, her husband John, and their two children Emily and Tom" in one letter. However, each adult may need to submit separate visa applications with their own copy of the letter.
What if my host doesn't have strong financial proof?
If your host can only provide accommodation (not financial sponsorship), that's okay. You can:
- Show your own bank statements proving you can cover your expenses
- Have the letter state: "I will provide accommodation, and [guest name] will cover their own travel and personal expenses"