Schengen Family Visit Visa 2026: Complete Guide

What Is a Family Visit Visa?

A family visit visa is a Type C short-stay visa for visiting family members or friends who legally reside in a Schengen country. Unlike tourist visas where you stay in hotels, family visit visas involve staying with a host who must provide documentation.

When to Apply

• ✅ Visiting parents/children/siblings in Europe
• ✅ Visiting spouse/partner (if not joining permanently)
• ✅ Visiting friends (for short visits)
• ✅ Attending family events (weddings, graduations)
• ✅ Visiting extended family (cousins, aunts/uncles)

Complete Document Checklist

Your Documents

1. Completed Visa Application Form - Mark "Visiting family/friends"
2. Valid Passport - 3+ months validity, 2 blank pages
3. Passport Photos - 2 recent biometric photos
4. Travel Insurance - €50,000+ coverage
5. Flight Reservations - Round-trip tickets
6. Cover Letter - Explaining purpose, relationship, planned activities
7. Your Financial Documents (if self-funded):
   • Bank statements (3-6 months)
   • Employment letter
   • Salary slips

Invitation Letter from Host (MANDATORY)

Your family member/friend MUST provide an invitation letter including:

• ✅ Their full name and address in Europe
• ✅ Your full name and passport number
• ✅ Relationship to you
• ✅ Purpose of visit
• ✅ Duration of stay (exact dates)
• ✅ Accommodation details (staying at their home)
• ✅ Financial responsibility (who pays for what)
• ✅ Their signature and date

Host Documents (Your Family/Friend Provides)

1. Copy of Residence Permit or Passport
   • EU citizens: Passport or national ID
   • Non-EU residents: Valid residence permit
2. Proof of Accommodation
   • Property deed (if they own)
   • Rental agreement (if they rent)
   • Utility bills showing address
3. Financial Documents (if sponsoring you)
   • Bank statements (6 months)
   • Employment contract
   • Recent salary slips (3 months)
   • Tax returns

Proving Your Relationship

For Close Family

For Friends

Harder to prove than family. Provide:

• Photos together over time
• Communication history (emails, WhatsApp chats)
• Explanation of how you know each other
• Previous visits (if applicable)

Formal Sponsorship Declarations by Country

Some countries require your host to submit a formal declaration to local authorities confirming they'll accommodate and potentially support you financially. This is SEPARATE from the invitation letter.

🇫🇷 France: Attestation d'Accueil

• What: Official hosting certificate from mairie (town hall)
• Who: Host applies in person at their local mairie
• Cost: €30-€50
• Processing: 2-4 weeks
• Requirements:
  • Host's ID/residence permit
  • Proof of accommodation (deed/lease)
  • Guest's passport copy
• Validity: 6 months from issue date

🇩🇪 Germany: Verpflichtungserklärung

• What: Formal declaration of commitment (financial guarantee)
• Who: Host applies at local Ausländerbehörde (immigration office)
• Cost: €29-€39
• Processing: 1-2 weeks
• Requirements:
  • Host must prove financial ability (€1,500+ income OR €7,000+ savings per guest)
  • Host's ID and residence permit
  • Income proof (salary slips, tax returns)
  • Guest's passport copy
• Legal Implications: Host is LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE for your costs. If you overstay or need public assistance, host can be fined up to €5,000.

🇪🇸 Spain: Carta de Invitación

• What: Official letter of invitation from police
• Who: Host applies at local Policía Nacional station
• Cost: €75
• Processing: 1-3 weeks
• Requirements:
  • Host's DNI/NIE (Spanish ID)
  • Property deed or rental agreement
  • Guest's passport copy
  • Economic solvency proof
• Validity: For specific dates only (not flexible)

Other Countries

Most other Schengen countries (Italy, Netherlands, Greece, etc.) don't require formal declarations. A simple invitation letter from host + their documents is sufficient.

Who Pays? Financial Arrangements

Option 1: You Pay for Everything

Required:

• Your bank statements showing sufficient funds (€50-€100/day)
• Employment letter and salary slips
• Host provides FREE accommodation

Option 2: Host Sponsors You

Required:

• Host's bank statements (6 months)
• Host's employment and income proof
• Sponsorship letter from host
• Formal declaration (if required by country)

Application Process

Step 1: Host Prepares Documents

Your family member/friend gathers:

• Invitation letter
• Copies of ID/residence permit
• Accommodation proof
• Financial documents (if sponsoring)
• Formal declaration (if required - France/Germany/Spain)

Step 2: You Gather Relationship Proof

• Birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc.
• Photos together
• Communication history

Step 3: Book Appointment

At embassy/VFS Global for the country where your family member lives.

Step 4: Attend Interview

Be prepared to answer:

• "How do you know the host?"
• "When did you last see them?"
• "What will you do during your visit?"
• "Why aren't you staying in a hotel?"
• "What's your plan after 90 days?"

Step 5: Wait for Decision

Processing: 10-15 days typically. Family visit visas may take slightly longer due to additional documents.

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Suspicious Relationship
   • Cannot prove relationship to host
   • "Friend" visa with no evidence of friendship
   • Solution: Provide solid proof (certificates, photos, communication)
2. Missing Host Documents
   • Incomplete financial proof from host
   • No formal declaration when required
   • Solution: Ensure host provides ALL required documents
3. Immigration Risk
   • Weak ties to home country
   • Family already in Europe (may not return)
   • Solution: Show employment, property, family ties at home
4. Suspected Long-Term Stay Intent
   • Applying for max 90 days repeatedly
   • No job to return to
   • Solution: Keep visit reasonable (2-4 weeks), show job commitment

Tips for Approval

✅ Do's

1. Prove Legitimate Relationship - Documents, not just words
2. Have Strong Ties to Home - Job, property, family remaining
3. Keep Visit Duration Reasonable - 2-4 weeks better than 90 days
4. Show You've Met Before - Photos from previous visits help significantly
5. Complete Formal Declarations - If required by France/Germany/Spain
6. Be Honest in Interview - Explain relationship clearly

❌ Don'ts

1. Don't Use "Friend" Visa for Tourism - If you're mostly sightseeing, apply for tourist visa
2. Don't Fake Relationships - Easy to verify; leads to ban
3. Don't Apply Without Host Cooperation - Need their active participation
4. Don't Ignore Formal Declarations - Mandatory in France; important in Germany/Spain
5. Don't Apply for 90 Days as First Visit - Raises suspicion; start with 2-3 weeks

FAQ