Flight Reservations for Schengen Visa: Don't Buy Tickets!

· 16 min read

NEVER buy non-refundable flight tickets before your Schengen visa is approved! This guide shows you how to get flight reservations (flight holds) that embassies accept for visa applications, without spending hundreds of dollars on tickets you might never use.

⚠️ CRITICAL: DO NOT BUY TICKETS BEFORE VISA APPROVAL!

If your visa is rejected (10-20% of applicants), you'll lose €300-€1,000+ on non-refundable tickets. Embassies accept FLIGHT RESERVATIONS - temporary holds showing itinerary without payment.

Flight Reservation vs Flight Ticket: What's the Difference?

Aspect Flight Reservation (Hold) Flight Ticket (Paid)
Cost FREE or €10-€30 €300-€1,500+
Payment No payment required Full payment upfront
Validity 24-72 hours (or until visa decision) Permanent (until flight date)
Shows Itinerary ✅ YES - dates, routes, PNR ✅ YES
Accepted by Embassy ✅ YES (most countries) ✅ YES (all countries)
Risk if Visa Rejected €0-€30 loss €300-€1,500 loss
💡 Key Point: A flight reservation shows your INTENT to travel with specific dates and routes. Embassies know you can't buy tickets before approval - they accept reservations for this reason.

Method 1: Free 24-Hour Airline Holds (BEST IF TIMING WORKS)

Many airlines offer FREE 24-hour flight holds. This is the safest method IF your visa appointment is within 24-48 hours of applying.

Airlines Offering Free 24-Hour Holds

  • ✅ Lufthansa: 24-hour free hold (book on Lufthansa.com)
  • ✅ British Airways: 24-hour hold for most routes
  • ✅ Air France: 24-hour cancellation
  • ✅ Emirates: 72-hour free hold (some routes)
  • ✅ Turkish Airlines: 24-hour hold available

How to Use Free Airline Holds

  1. Book Flight: Go to airline website, select flights, proceed to payment page
  2. Choose "Hold Booking": Instead of paying, look for "hold" or "reserve" option
  3. Get PNR: Airline generates booking reference (PNR) without payment
  4. Download Itinerary: Print or save PDF showing flight details
  5. Submit to Embassy: Within 24 hours of hold
  6. Cancel or Book: Within 24 hours, cancel hold (free) or pay if visa approved
⚠️ Limitation: Free holds are only valid 24-72 hours. If your visa decision takes 2 weeks, the hold will expire before you submit application. This method works ONLY if:
  • Your visa appointment is tomorrow, OR
  • Embassy allows expired reservations, OR
  • You time the hold to expire right after document submission

Method 2: Travel Agency Reservation Services (RECOMMENDED)

Professional travel agencies provide flight reservations valid for 2-4 weeks, perfect for visa applications.

What You Get

  • ✅ Confirmed reservation with PNR (booking reference)
  • ✅ Valid for 7-21 days (until visa decision)
  • ✅ Verifiable by embassy (they can call airline to confirm)
  • ✅ Shows exact flight numbers, dates, times, route
  • ✅ Round-trip itinerary

Cost

€10-€30 typically (per person)

How It Works

  1. Contact travel agency (see list below)
  2. Provide travel dates, departure/arrival cities, your passport info
  3. Pay €10-€30
  4. Receive PDF reservation within 24 hours
  5. Submit to embassy with visa application
  6. If visa approved: Book real tickets
  7. If visa rejected: You only lost €10-€30 instead of €500+

Legitimate Reservation Services

  • FlightReservation.io: €15-€25, 2-week validity
  • VisaReservation.com: €25-€35, includes hotel + insurance option
  • SchengenFlightReservation.com: €20, 14-day validity
  • Local Travel Agencies: Visit travel agent in your city, ask for "visa flight reservation" - usually €15-€30
⚠️ Verify Legitimacy: Only use services that provide REAL PNR (booking reference) you can verify on airline website. If PNR doesn't show up = FAKE reservation = visa rejection + ban.

Method 3: Fully Refundable Tickets (EXPENSIVE BUT SAFEST)

Some airlines offer fully refundable tickets at premium prices.

When to Consider

  • You have strong financial capacity to show embassy
  • You're certain about travel dates
  • Embassy requires actual tickets (rare, but some do)

Cost Difference

Example: New York to Paris

  • Non-refundable economy: €500
  • Fully refundable economy: €1,200 (2.4x more expensive)

Refund Process

  • Cancel ticket: Full refund minus €50-€100 cancellation fee
  • Refund time: 7-30 days to credit card
Note: Not recommended unless you have budget. €10-€30 reservation service is smarter financially.

Which Embassies Accept Reservations vs Require Tickets?

✅ Accept Flight Reservations (Most Common)

  • 🇫🇷 France
  • 🇩🇪 Germany
  • 🇪🇸 Spain
  • 🇮🇹 Italy
  • 🇳🇱 Netherlands
  • 🇬🇷 Greece
  • 🇵🇹 Portugal
  • 🇧🇪 Belgium
  • 🇦🇹 Austria
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden

These countries understand you cannot buy tickets before visa approval. Reservation with PNR is sufficient.

⚠️ May Require Actual Tickets (RARE)

  • Some consulates in specific countries (e.g., certain Asian/African locations)
  • Usually stated clearly on embassy website

Always check: Specific embassy website for your country of application. Requirements vary by location.

What Your Flight Reservation Must Show

For embassy acceptance, your flight reservation document must include:

  • ✅ Your full name (matching passport exactly)
  • ✅ PNR / Booking Reference Number (6-character code like AB12CD)
  • ✅ Flight numbers (e.g., LH123, AF456)
  • ✅ Departure and arrival airports (full names + codes)
  • ✅ Departure and arrival dates/times
  • ✅ Round-trip itinerary (both outbound and return flights)
  • ✅ Airline name
  • ✅ Travel class (economy, business)
⚠️ Common Mistakes:
  • ❌ One-way ticket only (need round-trip to show you'll return)
  • ❌ Name misspelled (must match passport EXACTLY)
  • ❌ Expired reservation (book timing close to appointment)
  • ❌ Fake PNR that doesn't verify (leads to rejection + ban)

Round-Trip Requirement

Must you show round-trip flights? YES (99% of cases)

Embassies require round-trip proof because:

  • Shows you plan to RETURN (not overstay)
  • Demonstrates your trip has definite end date
  • Reduces immigration risk

What If You're Visiting Multiple Countries?

Example: New York → Paris → Amsterdam → New York

Show:

  • New York to Paris (arrival to Schengen)
  • Paris to Amsterdam (optional - can take train instead)
  • Amsterdam to New York (departure from Schengen)

Embassy mainly cares about:

  1. Entry flight to Schengen
  2. Exit flight FROM Schengen

Intra-Schengen flights (Paris → Amsterdam) less critical; can travel by train/bus.

Timing Your Flight Reservation

Scenario 1: Using Free 24-Hour Hold

  • Day 0: Create reservation hold
  • Day 1: Submit visa application with reservation
  • Day 1 end: Hold expires (but you've already submitted docs)

Works IF embassy doesn't verify after submission.

Scenario 2: Using Paid Reservation Service (€15-€30)

  • Week 1: Apply for visa appointment (2 weeks out)
  • Week 2: Get flight reservation (valid 14-21 days)
  • Week 2: Attend visa appointment, submit reservation
  • Week 3-4: Visa processing (reservation still valid)
  • Week 4: Visa approved → book real tickets

Safer because reservation covers entire processing period.

After Visa Approval: Booking Real Tickets

Once you have your visa:

  1. Search for Best Prices
    • Use Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak
    • Book 6-8 weeks in advance for best prices
    • Consider budget airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet for intra-Europe)
  2. You Can Change Dates/Routes
    • Your visa allows travel during validity period (90 days typically)
    • You don't HAVE to follow exact reservation dates
    • Can fly different routes, different airlines
  3. Buy Tickets
    • Now it's safe to buy non-refundable (cheaper)
    • Keep copy of tickets for border control
💡 Pro Tip: Your visa is valid for DATES, not flights. If your visa is valid March 1-31, you can fly anytime in March, regardless of what dates were on your reservation.

Fake Flight Reservation Services: AVOID!

⚠️ WARNING: Don't Use Fake Reservations!

Some unethical services sell "dummy" reservations with fake PNRs for €5-€10. This is FRAUD:

  • ❌ Embassy verifies PNR with airline
  • ❌ Fake PNR = instant REJECTION
  • ❌ Can result in 5-10 year VISA BAN
  • ❌ Possible criminal charges

How to Verify Legitimate Service:

  • ✅ They provide PNR you can check on airline website
  • ✅ Reservation shows up in airline's system
  • ✅ Agency has real address and contact
  • ❌ If they say "embassy can't verify" = FAKE

FAQ

Can the embassy tell if I don't actually fly those exact flights?

NO. Once visa is approved, embassy doesn't track whether you use exact flights from reservation. Your visa allows travel within validity period - specific flights are YOUR choice after approval.

What if my flight reservation expires before my visa appointment?

Options:

  • Get new reservation closer to appointment date
  • Use paid service with longer validity (14-21 days)
  • Some embassies accept expired reservations (check their policy)
Don't submit with expired reservation unless embassy explicitly allows it.

Is a flight reservation from a travel agency as good as airline reservation?

YES, IF the PNR is real and verifiable. Travel agencies book through same systems airlines use (GDS - Global Distribution System). Embassy can verify the PNR by calling airline, who will confirm reservation exists.

Do I need travel insurance if I only have flight reservation, not tickets?

YES. Travel insurance is SEPARATE requirement. You need:

  • Flight reservation (or ticket)
  • AND €50,000+ travel insurance
See our Travel Insurance Guide.

Should I book direct flight or with layovers?

Either is fine, but:

  • Direct flight: Simpler itinerary, shows you can afford it
  • With layovers: More realistic for budget travelers, acceptable
Match to your financial profile. If showing modest income, layover flight is more believable.

Can I apply for visa without flight reservation?

NO. Flight reservation is MANDATORY for Schengen visa applications. You must show:

  • How you'll ENTER Schengen (arrival flight)
  • How you'll LEAVE Schengen (departure flight)
Application without flights = automatic rejection.