Sponsorship Documents for Schengen Visa

If someone else is paying for your trip (parent, spouse, friend, employer), you need sponsorship documents. This guide covers all required documents from sponsors and how to prove the sponsorship relationship.

Who Can Sponsor You?

  • ✅ Parents (for students/dependents)
  • ✅ Spouse/Partner
  • ✅ Children (for retired parents)
  • ✅ Siblings (in some cases)
  • ✅ Employer (for business trips)
  • ✅ Host in Schengen country

What Documents Does Your Sponsor Need?

  1. A Sponsorship Letter that says:
    • How they know you (parent, spouse, etc.)
    • They'll pay for your trip
    • They can actually afford it
    • Plus their signature and date
  2. Their Bank Statements (last 6 months - needs to show they've got money)
  3. Their Work Letter and recent payslips
  4. Proof You're Related:
    • Birth certificate (if they're your parent or you're their kid)
    • Marriage certificate (for spouse)
    • Other family documents
  5. Copy of Their Passport/ID

Sample Sponsorship Letter

[Sponsor's Letterhead or Address]
[Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

I, [Sponsor Name], holder of passport number [XX123456], hereby confirm that I will sponsor the Schengen visa trip of my [relationship] [Your Name], passport number [YY789012].

I will cover all expenses during their trip to [Countries] from [Start Date] to [End Date], including accommodation, food, transportation, and other costs.

My current employment: [Position] at [Company]
Monthly salary: €[Amount]
Bank balance: €[Amount]

Attached are my bank statements, employment letter, and proof of our relationship.

Sincerely,
[Sponsor Signature]
[Sponsor Name]

Common Sponsor Scenarios

Parents Sponsoring Student

  • Parent's bank statements (6 months)
  • Parent's employment proof
  • Birth certificate showing relationship
  • Sponsorship letter from parent
  • Student's enrollment certificate

Spouse Sponsoring Partner

  • Marriage certificate
  • Spouse's financial documents
  • Sponsorship letter
  • Joint bank account (if applicable)

Host in Schengen Sponsoring Visitor

  • Official sponsorship declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung, Attestation d'accueil, etc.)
  • Host's residence permit/ID
  • Host's accommodation proof
  • Host's financial documents
  • Invitation letter

Common Questions

Do I still need my own bank statements if someone's sponsoring me?

Yeah, include yours too - even if there's not much in there. It shows you have a bank account and some financial activity. Your sponsor's documents prove they'll handle the costs.

Can my friend sponsor me?

It's tough unless your friend actually lives in Europe. Family sponsorship (parents, spouse, kids) carries way more weight. A friend can sponsor you if they're in a Schengen country and get official sponsorship papers from local authorities.