Schengen Tourist Visa 2026: Complete Guide

· 18 min read

Want to explore Europe for vacation? The tourist visa (also called Type C) is what you need. It lets you travel around 27 European countries for up to 90 days. Whether you're dreaming of Paris, the Greek islands, or Barcelona beaches - this guide will walk you through getting approved.

What Can You Do with This Visa?

Here's what your tourist visa lets you do:

  • ✅ Visit 27 European countries for vacation
  • ✅ Stay up to 90 days (that's 3 months!)
  • ✅ Move freely between countries - no extra visas needed
  • ✅ Go to concerts, festivals, sightseeing
  • ✅ Visit friends or family (as long as it's mainly for tourism)

What You Can't Do

  • ❌ Work or get paid for anything
  • ❌ Enroll in school programs longer than 90 days
  • ❌ Do business meetings (get a business visa for that)
  • ❌ Overstay your 90 days - seriously, don't!

Tourist Visa Requirements

Financial Requirements by Country

Each Schengen country has different daily financial requirements:

Country Daily Requirement 10-Day Trip
Spain €100/day OR €900 minimum €1,000
France €65/day €650
Germany €60/day €600
Netherlands €55/day €550
Greece €50/day €500
Italy €45/day €450
💡 Pro Tip: Always show 1.5-2x the minimum amount. For a 10-day France trip, showing €1,000 instead of €650 significantly strengthens your application.

Complete Document Checklist

Universal Documents (Everyone)

  1. Completed Visa Application Form
    • Download from embassy/consulate website
    • Fill accurately and completely
    • Sign and date
  2. Valid Passport
    • Valid 3+ months after planned return
    • Issued within last 10 years
    • At least 2 blank pages
  3. Passport Photos - 2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, white background)
  4. Travel Health Insurance - €50,000+ coverage for all Schengen countries
  5. Flight Reservations - Round-trip (don't buy non-refundable tickets!)
  6. Hotel Bookings - For ENTIRE stay (use Booking.com with free cancellation)
  7. Travel Itinerary - Day-by-day plan showing cities, attractions, activities
  8. Bank Statements - Last 3-6 months, stamped by bank
  9. Cover Letter - Explaining trip purpose and return intent

Employment Documents

  • Employment Certificate: Letter from employer on company letterhead with position, salary, employment dates
  • Leave Approval Letter: Confirming approved vacation dates
  • Salary Slips: Last 6 months

For Self-Employed

  • Business registration certificate
  • Tax returns (2 years)
  • Company bank statements

For Students

  • University enrollment letter
  • Student ID
  • No Objection Certificate
  • Parent's sponsorship + financial documents

For Retired

  • Pension statements (6 months)
  • Retirement certificate

Application Process

Step 1: Choose Which Country to Apply To

Apply to the country where you'll spend most days. If equal days in multiple countries, apply to your first entry point.

Example: Visiting France (7 days), Italy (5 days), Spain (3 days) → Apply to France
Visiting Germany (5 days), Netherlands (5 days) → Apply to your first entry country

Step 2: Book Appointment

  1. Visit embassy/VFS Global website for your chosen country
  2. Create account
  3. Select "Short-stay Schengen visa - Tourism"
  4. Book appointment (usually 1-3 weeks wait)

Step 3: Prepare Documents

Gather all required documents. Organize in order: application form, passport, photos, financial docs, travel plans, supporting docs.

Step 4: Attend Appointment

  • Arrive 15 minutes early
  • Bring originals + 1 complete set of photocopies
  • Submit biometrics (fingerprints valid for 5 years)
  • Pay visa fee (€90 for adults)
  • Collect receipt with tracking number

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Standard processing: 10-15 working days. Can extend to 30-45 days in complex cases.

Step 6: Collect Passport

Receive notification when ready. Collect from visa center or use courier service.

Visa Fees (2026)

Category Consular Fee Service Fee (VFS) Total
Adults (12+ years) €90 €25-35 €115-125
Children (6-11) €45 €25-35 €70-80
Children under 6 FREE €25-35 €25-35

Note: Fees are non-refundable even if visa is rejected.

Sample Tourist Visa Itinerary

Here's an example 10-day Europe itinerary for tourist visa:

10-Day Paris & Amsterdam Trip
  • Day 1: Arrive Paris (CDG), check-in hotel, evening walk Champs-Élysées
  • Day 2: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Seine River cruise
  • Day 3: Versailles Palace day trip
  • Day 4: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Latin Quarter
  • Day 5: Train to Amsterdam (3.5 hours), check-in, canal walk
  • Day 6: Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum
  • Day 7: Zaanse Schans windmills day trip
  • Day 8: Keukenhof Gardens (if spring), or Jordaan neighborhood
  • Day 9: Canal cruise, Red Light District tour, shopping
  • Day 10: Depart Amsterdam (AMS) for home

This itinerary shows Paris (5 days) as main destination → Apply to French embassy.

See our complete travel itinerary guide with more samples.

Approval Tips

✅ Do's

  1. Show Strong Financial Proof - 1.5-2x minimum amount
  2. Create Detailed Itinerary - Day-by-day with specific attractions
  3. Book Refundable Hotels - Booking.com free cancellation
  4. Show Travel History - Previous Schengen/US/UK visas help
  5. Prove Return Intent - Job, family, property ownership
  6. Write Clear Cover Letter - Explain purpose and ties home
  7. Apply 3-4 Weeks Early - Don't wait until last minute

❌ Don'ts

  1. Don't Show Minimal Funds - Just meeting minimum looks suspicious
  2. Don't Make Last-Minute Deposits - "Show money" red flag
  3. Don't Buy Non-Refundable Flights - Use reservations
  4. Don't Have Vague Plans - "I'll figure it out" doesn't work
  5. Don't Fake Documents - Leads to permanent ban
  6. Don't Apply to Wrong Country - Apply where you spend most days

FAQ

Can I work while on a tourist visa?

NO. Tourist visas strictly prohibit any form of paid work, including remote work for your home country employer. If caught working, you face deportation and permanent Schengen ban.

Can I extend my tourist visa in Europe?

Extensions are VERY rare and only granted for force majeure (serious illness, natural disaster, etc.). Don't plan on extending - make your trip fit within the 90-day limit.

Do I need to stick to my itinerary exactly?

No, but you should visit the main destination (country you applied to). You can change hotels, skip some attractions, or adjust dates slightly. However, significantly different travel (e.g., applying for France but only visiting Spain) can cause issues at borders.

Can I visit a friend and still apply for tourist visa?

Yes, if tourism is your PRIMARY purpose. However, if staying with the friend (free accommodation), it's better to apply for a family visit visa with proper invitation letter. For brief visits to friends while mainly touring, tourist visa is fine - mention it in your cover letter.

How much does a European vacation actually cost?

Budget estimate for 10 days (Paris & Amsterdam example):

  • Flights: €400-€800
  • Accommodation: €600-€1,200 (€60-120/night)
  • Food: €300-€500 (€30-50/day)
  • Transportation: €150-€250 (trains, local transport)
  • Attractions: €200-€300 (museum tickets, tours)
  • Total: €1,650-€3,050 per person
Show at least this amount in your bank statements.

What if I'm rejected?

Read the rejection letter for the specific reason. You can:

  • Appeal within specified timeframe (usually 15-30 days)
  • Fix issues and reapply
  • Apply to a different Schengen country if your itinerary allows
Note: Visa fees are non-refundable. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer if unclear about rejection reason.