Schengen Visa to Visit Friends & Family from Ireland
Guide for visiting friends and relatives in Europe while living in Ireland
Have friends or family living in Germany, France, or other European countries? As a non-EU resident in Ireland, you'll need a Schengen visa to visit them. The good news? Visits to friends and family often have higher approval rates when documented correctly.
In this guide
Who Can Invite You?
Your host in a Schengen country can be:
- Immediate family: Parents, siblings, children, spouse
- Extended family: Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents
- In-laws: Mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc.
- Close friends: Long-term friends can also invite you
Your Host's Status
Your host should be one of the following:
- EU/EEA citizen living in the Schengen country
- Permanent resident with valid residence permit
- Long-term visa holder (work visa, Blue Card, etc.)
Applying in Ireland? See our Schengen travel insurance guide for Irish residents — Ekta compared with Multitrip, Allianz Ireland and AXA.
Required Documents
Your Documents (Applicant in Ireland)
- Valid passport (3+ months validity after return)
- Completed application form
- 2 passport photos (35x45mm)
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP Card) - copy
- Employment Permit (if on work visa)
- employment letter from Irish employer
- Irish bank statements (last 3-6 months)
- travel insurance (€30,000 minimum)
- Flight reservation
- Cover letter explaining your visit
From Your Host (Family in Europe)
- Invitation letter (handwritten or typed)
- Host's passport/ID copy
- Host's residence permit (if not EU citizen)
- Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract)
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Host's bank statements (if sponsoring your trip)
- Employment proof of host (if sponsoring)
Invitation Letter from Your Host
The invitation letter is crucial for family visit visas. Your host must write this letter.
What to Include:
- Host's full name, address, and contact details
- Your full name and passport details
- Relationship to you (brother, cousin, friend, etc.)
- Purpose of visit ("to visit family and spend time together")
- Dates of your stay
- Where you'll stay (host's address)
- Who is covering expenses
- Host's signature
Sample Invitation Letter
[Host's Address in Europe] [Date] To: The Visa Officer Embassy of [Country] Dublin, Ireland Subject: Invitation Letter for [Your Name] Dear Sir/Madam, I, [Host's Name], holder of [nationality] passport number [XXXX] / residence permit number [XXXX], residing at [full address], would like to invite my [relationship - e.g., "brother"] [Your Full Name], passport number [XXXX], to visit me in [country]. [Your Name] currently resides in Ireland and holds an Irish Residence Permit. Purpose of Visit: Family visit - to spend time together, celebrate [occasion if any], and introduce them to my home and city. Duration: [Start Date] to [End Date] (approximately X days) Accommodation: [Your Name] will stay at my residence at the above address during the entire visit. Financial Responsibility: I will cover all expenses including accommodation, food, and local transport. [Your Name] will cover their own expenses. [Check one] I confirm that [Your Name] will return to Ireland at the end of the visit. Please find enclosed: - Copy of my passport/ID - Copy of my residence permit - Proof of my address - Proof of relationship (birth certificate) - My recent bank statements For any queries, please contact me at: Phone: [number] Email: [email] Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Host's Full Name]
Documents Your Host Must Provide
| Passport/ID copy | Proves host's identity | Scan or photo |
| Residence permit | Proves legal residence (if non-EU) | Copy of card |
| Proof of address | Shows where you'll stay | Utility bill, rental contract |
| Proof of relationship | Shows you're actually family | Birth/marriage certificates |
| Bank statements | Shows host can support you (if sponsoring) | Last 3 months from bank |
Staying with Family (No Hotel Needed)
When visiting family, you typically stay at their home instead of a hotel. This is perfectly acceptable! Here's what you need:
- Invitation letter stating you'll stay at their address
- Host's proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)
- If host is renting: Landlord consent may be needed in some countries
Tips for Family Visit Schengen Visa Approval from Ireland
Do:
- Provide proof of relationship (birth certificates, family photos)
- Show strong ties to Ireland (job, residence permit, property)
- Have clear return date and reason to return
- Match all dates across documents
Don't:
- Apply if your IRP is about to expire (renew first)
- Give vague reasons like "holiday" - be specific about visiting family
- Forget to include relationship proof
- Have your host write a very short, generic letter
Special Situations
Visiting for a Wedding/Celebration
If you're attending a family wedding, baptism, or celebration:
- Include wedding invitation card as supporting document
- Mention the event in your cover letter
- This strengthens your case as there's a clear reason for the specific dates
Host is a Student
If your family member is a student in Europe:
- They should provide university enrollment letter
- You may need to show you'll cover your own expenses
- Still include student's bank statement showing some funds
🔥 Most Asked by Applicants
- What documents do I need?
- How do I write a cover letter?
- How much bank balance to show?
- What travel insurance do I need?
- How do I book a visa appointment?
- How long does processing take?
- Which country approves easiest?
- Why do visas get rejected?
- How to get a flight reservation?
- Which insurance plan is best?
- How much does a Schengen visa cost?
- Where do I start as a first timer?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Schengen visa to visit family in Europe from Ireland?
Apply to the embassy of the country where your family member lives. You will need an invitation letter from your family member, a copy of their ID and proof of residence, confirmation of who is covering your accommodation and travel costs, and your standard visa documents (passport, insurance, financial proof).
What should a family invitation letter for a Schengen visa include?
The letter should include: your family member's full name and address, their relationship to you, the dates of your planned visit, confirmation of where you will stay, and whether they are covering any of your costs. It should be signed and dated, with a copy of their passport or ID attached.
Does my EU citizen family member need to do anything to help my Schengen visa application?
Yes — they should provide a signed invitation letter, a copy of their valid ID or passport, and proof of their address (utility bill or bank statement). If they are covering your costs, they should also provide bank statements. Some embassies have a specific invitation form (e.g. Attestation d'Accueil for France).