Oh my goodness! Finally going to Europe! As a European travel enthusiast who has been there seven or eight times, each visit brings different experiences and insights. I remember being anxious when preparing for my first Schengen visa, constantly checking Xiaohongshu and Bilibili for guides. Looking back, it wasn't that difficult - the key is having a clear approach. Recently, many friends have been messaging me about visa questions, so I decided to write a super detailed guide to help those of you planning to visit Europe!
What exactly is a Schengen visa? Simply put, it's a super pass that lets you travel freely within 90 days! With it, you can move freely between 26 Schengen countries without applying for a new visa at each country - how amazing is that!
Many people confuse the Schengen Area with the European Union. Let me explain - they're different concepts. The Schengen Area is like a big family with 26 member states, including popular countries like France, Germany, and Italy. The EU, on the other hand, is a larger economic and political union. For example, Croatia was an EU member but only officially joined the Schengen Area in 2023.
I was really curious about why it's called "Schengen" when I first applied. Later I learned the name comes from a small town in Luxembourg. In 1985, representatives from several European countries signed an agreement in Schengen town to make travel in Europe more convenient. Isn't that an interesting story?
Speaking of Schengen countries, there are now many members. Besides well-known ones like France, Germany, and Italy, there are some less common but incredibly beautiful countries like Iceland and Norway in Northern Europe, and Portugal and Greece in Southern Europe. Each country has its unique charm, like Holland's windmills and tulips, Austria's music and cafe culture, Switzerland's snow-capped mountains and chocolate - it's truly a feast for the senses!
The application process isn't as complicated as imagined, but attention to detail is crucial. First is choosing the main application country, which is really important! It's not about which country you most want to visit, but where you'll stay the longest.
For example, my last itinerary was: 5 days in Paris, France (must-visit Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe), 3 days in Rome and Florence, Italy (can't miss the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Basilica), and finally 2 days in Barcelona, Spain (for a Gaudi architectural tour). In this case, France would be the main application country!
Regarding required materials, 2024's requirements are slightly stricter than before. First is the passport, which is basic, but note that it must be valid for 3 months beyond the visa expiration. So if you plan to travel for 90 days in July 2025, your passport should be valid until at least December 2025.
Photo requirements are also strict: white background ID photo taken within 6 months, no glasses, natural expression, no teeth showing (I had to retake mine the first time for smiling too much - embarrassing).
Flight reservations and accommodation proof are mandatory. Here's a tip: you don't need to buy actual tickets, you can get a reservation without payment - many airlines and booking sites support this. Same for accommodation - you can book refundable rooms on Booking or Airbnb.
Travel insurance is crucial, with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. I recommend choosing reputable insurance companies. Though slightly more expensive, they're reliable. Many now offer specific Schengen visa insurance products - just buy one and you're set.
Employment certificates and bank statements are particularly important as visa officers use these to judge your financial capability and likelihood of returning. Employment certificates should be in both Chinese and English with official letterhead and seal. Bank statements should cover the last 3-6 months and show stable income.
Let's talk about costs! The basic Schengen visa fee in 2024 is 80 euros, about 630 RMB. But that's just the beginning!
First is travel insurance, ranging from 200-300 RMB depending on the company and coverage. If you need notarized materials (like employment certificates or business licenses), that's another 300-500 RMB.
There are also hidden costs: about 50 RMB for photos, tens of RMB for photocopies, plus transportation costs if you live far away. Budget around 1,500 RMB for visa-related expenses.
However, this is minimal compared to the total European trip cost. Let's calculate: round-trip flights 7,000-10,000 RMB (depending on season and route), accommodation 400-600 RMB per day (hostels are cheaper), food 200-300 RMB per day (cooking yourself saves money), plus attraction tickets and transportation. A 10-day European trip typically costs 20,000-30,000 RMB.
Let me share some lessons learned from my experience. First, material preparation and organization is crucial! I now print everything on A4 paper, arranged according to embassy requirements, separated by different colored divider pages.
For example, red divider for basic materials (passport copy, photo, application form), blue for itinerary materials (flights, accommodation, schedule), yellow for financial proof (bank statements, employment certificate). This makes it clear for both you and the visa officer.
About the interview - many people get nervous, but there's no need! Visa officers are regular people. Just be well-prepared and answer questions directly. I suggest preparing answers to common questions like: - What's the main purpose of your trip? - Which countries will you visit? - Why these countries? - How long will you stay in each place? - What's your expected budget? - What are your plans after returning home?
There are so many misconceptions about Schengen visas! The most common is thinking more bank savings is better. I know someone who transferred 500,000 RMB to their account, but this made the visa officer suspicious. Officers care more about stable income and reasonable savings.
Generally, a daily budget of about 200 euros is sufficient. For a 10-day trip, savings of around 20,000 euros is plenty. Of course, this is just a reference - adjust based on your situation. Students might budget less; those planning shopping or luxury hotels should budget more.
Some think you must use an agency - that's wrong too. Unless you're really busy or lack confidence, you can handle it yourself. With abundant online resources, it's totally doable if you're careful. Plus you save on agency fees!
A Schengen visa opens up a whole new world! You can freely travel between 26 countries within 90 days, going wherever you want.
For instance, you could enjoy authentic croissants at a Paris cafe in the morning, take the Eurorail to Brussels for mussels at lunch, and stroll along Amsterdam's canals in the evening. The next day, fly to Rome to experience ancient Roman civilization, then head to Florence for Renaissance art.
Transportation between Schengen countries is super convenient, with options like budget airlines, Eurail passes, and long-distance buses. Especially the Eurail - it's comfortable, punctual, and watching the scenery from the train is a joy itself.
While the Schengen visa is convenient, there are important considerations. First is calculating stay duration - 90 days means cumulative stays within 180 days. So if you stay 60 days first time, you can only stay 30 more days in the next 120 days.
Second, don't engage in activities inconsistent with your visa type. For example, with a tourist visa, you can't work or conduct business activities. I know someone who was denied a visa after posting about earning money taking photos on social media.
Also important are entry/exit stamps. Ensure customs stamps your passport each time - these stamps prove you followed stay limits. Missing stamps might affect future applications.
Last year, when helping a friend plan her European trip, we encountered an interesting situation. Her itinerary was: - Italy: Rome 2 days, Florence 2 days, Venice 2 days - France: Paris 4 days, Nice 3 days
Although she visited three Italian cities, the total stay was 6 days, while France was 7 days in two cities. We chose France as the main application country, and the visa was approved.
This case shows that main country selection depends on actual stay duration, not number of cities visited. Also, be honest when filling out your itinerary - visa officers can easily verify through hotel bookings.
With technological advancement, the Schengen visa application process is becoming more digitalized. Some countries are testing digital visa systems - maybe physical visas will be replaced by electronic ones, cool right?
There might be more conveniences in 2025. Plans include a unified online application platform, eliminating different embassy systems. Some requirements might be simplified, with possible fast tracks for frequent travelers.
Some embassies already accept electronic documents, reducing paper usage. The process should become more environmentally friendly and efficient. With AI development, interviews might be conducted by video, eliminating embassy visits.
I've covered the key information about Schengen visas. It's not as scary as it seems - the key is thorough preparation. Hope this guide helps you get your visa and realize your European travel dreams! Remember, with proper preparation and a positive attitude, you can easily get your visa like I did and start your amazing European journey!
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