Schgen Visa Guide

A Methodical Schengen Travel Guide to make your Travel Easy-Peasy Schengen Zone, the world’s largest Visa Free Area comprises of 26 EU countries that have come together & exterminated their internal borders. The main reason behind abolishing borders is to entitle gratis & unrestrained movement of people across the Schengen Area.

A Uniform Schengen Travel Visa enables the holder to travel freely across the 26 members of the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Zone comprises of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Schengen Countries are lauded globally for their unique & picturesque landmarks, fascinating history, pristine sandy stretches, alluring museums & galleries, scrumptious food segment & the list goes on. No wonder 7 in 10 most visited countries in the world include Schengen Nations. Attracting over 324 Million Tourists from across the world every year, Schengen tourism is intriguingly sailing on the voyage of success.

In case you are planning a trip to Schengen Zone, refer to our detailed Schengen Travel Guide given below to get acquainted with basic information that includes Schengen Visa eligibility, top places of interest, climatic conditions, lodging & traveling.

Best Tourist Places of Schengen Area: Let us take a peek at some of the top tourist places of the Schengen Area that you shouldn’t miss visiting on your next trip on a valid Schengen Travel Visa.

1. Belgium: Situated in the Western part of the Europe, Belgium is eminent for Intangible Beer Culture, Waffles, Chocolates and French Fries. This small yet captivating country is jam-packed with plethora of crowd-pleasers, elegant palaces, lush countryside views, excellent architectural structures & tranquil canals.

2. France: France is renowned for one of the world’s most beautiful & beguiling sceneries.

Lauded for legendary castles, mesmerizing landmarks, towering cathedrals, picture-perfect countryside views & traditional culinary segment, France is visited by a huge number of tourists every year.

3. Germany: Germany, one of the world’s strongest economies is also acclaimed for enticing tourists from across the world. From fascinating history to natural beauty, from historical towns to lush verdant mountains, from ancient cathedrals to traditional Christmas markets, Germany has so much up its sleeve than one can ever dream of.

4. Greece: Greece, home to over 6,000 islands & birthplace of democracy, is lauded for its ancient archaeological sites, pebble beaches, mesmerizing beauty & culture. The sparkling azure waters & pleasant Mediterranean climate make Greece one of the most visited countries of Europe. Most of the tourists fly down in Greece to catch a ferry to the pristine Greek islands such as Santorini, Corfu, Crete and Mykonos.

5. Italy: Renowned for picturesque countryside views & balmy weather, Italy ranks third on the list of most visited countries of Europe. It is a denizen of numerous castles, cathedrals, vineyards, palaces & beaches. Some of the globally acclaimed attractions of Italy include Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice Canals, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Vatican City.

6. Poland: Poland is blessed with scenic landscapes, astonishing historic sites, picturesque & vibrant cities. Some of the major tourist attractions of Poland include Wawel Castle, Masurain Lakeland, Slowinski Sand dunes, Malbork Castle, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Gdansk Old Town, Warsaw Old Market Place and Main Market Square in Old Town of Krakow.

7. Portugal: Remarkably blessed with diverse geographical locations, Portugal entices a large number of travel enthusiasts from across the world. Reasonable travel costs, year-round pleasant climate, classical museums, astonishing landscapes, over 800 Kms beguiling coastline along Atlantic Ocean & stunning beaches make Portugal a hit among the holiday makers.

8. Spain: Lauded for both beaches & astonishing sights, Spain welcomes over 5 million tourists each year. The crowd-pleasers of Spain reflect country’s vociferous history, culture & enthralling natural beauty. Some of the captivating tourist attractions include the Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Sagrada Familia, Cordoba’s Mosque, the Prado Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Seville Cathedral, Santiago Cathedral, Costa del Sol Beaches & Plaza Mayor.

9. Sweden: Sweden features pristine forests, splendid lakes, crystal clean waters, excellent transport facilities, friendly citizens & lavish food segment. The opulent palaces, ancient towns, mind-boggling history, varied landscapes make Sweden a traveler’s paradise. Some eminent attractions include, Vasa Museum, Djurgürden park, Gamla Stan, Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm, Kiruna Ice Hotels, Abisko National Park & Gota Canal.

10. Switzerland: Jaw-dropping sceneries, towering snow-capped Alps, charming villages, glittering azure lakes and emerald valleys make this nation a seraphic & blissful tourist destination.

Adrenaline junkies flock here to partake in adventurous activities such as hiking, paragliding, skiing, biking, climbing & tobogganing. Some striking destinations include the Matterhorn,

Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Lucerne, Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, St.Moritz, Lake Lugano & Rhine Falls.

Best Time to Visit Schengen Zone: The Schengen Zone comprises of 26 countries, each featuring diverse geographical & climatic conditions. Though most of the countries feature year-round placid climate, you may plan your visit to Schengen Area depending on the weather you would want to relish & type of activities you want to indulge in.

1). High Season (From June to August): During this time, the Schengen countries observe a busy tourist season with highest accommodation rates, providing travelers longer days to explore the region.

Countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Greece & Italy are found crowded with holiday makers. The high season is perfect to indulge in exciting outdoor activities & partake in some amazing music festivals.

Avoid visiting southern/Mediterranean coast as it receives scorching heat during this time of the year.

2). Shoulder Season (May, September & October): The Shoulder Season can be considered as an ideal time to visit many Schengen Countries. This time observes placid weather in Northern countries & warm in Southern regions. Lesser crowds & affordable travel rates make this time ideal for tourists you wish to spend tranquil time along the beaches.

3). Low Season (From November to April): Winters in the Schengen Zone are generally considered low season. This duration stretches from late autumn (November) to mid-spring (April). While the visitors have to deal with freezing temperatures in North, they might catch a glimpse of Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on a clear night. Visitors who want to relish serene & gentle temperatures may head to Mediterranean countries in the South. This duration will feature few crowds, low air travel cost & plenty of accommodation bargains.

Traveling to the Schengen Area Tourists traveling to Schengen Area on a Schengen Travel Visa must fill the entry criteria in order to ensure hassle-free entrance into the Schengen Zone. Tourists must answer questions & present documents asked by the passport control officers.

Travelers must ensure that their passport is clearly stamped with the pertinent dates both at the entrance & exit of the Schengen Area.

Going Around the Schengen Area Upon entering the Schengen Area, the traveler is generally permitted to travel across the Schengen member states without undergoing any passport control procedure. Tourists willing to travel within the Schengen Zone by air can take a domestic flight.

Tourists may also commute across the Schengen Area via trains, buses or by driving by themselves.

Foreign nationals are required to carry their ID cards, Passport & other valid travel documents with them while traveling across the Schengen Area.

Please note that the custom officers may enter train or bus, stop your personal vehicle & inspect your documents & identity.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying for a Schengen Visa In order to avoid Visa rejection for any of the Schengen countries, the applicant must fulfill the criteria set forth by the Schengen Consulate/Embassy.

Citizens of the United Kingdom are allowed to travel across the Schengen Zone visa-free for up to 90 days for travel & business purposes. However, legal UK residents holding third-country nationalities need to apply for a Schengen Visa before planning their trip.

Third country nationals must ensure that their UK Residence Permit is valid for at least three months after their return from the Schengen Area to UK. Applicants must ensure that their passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of Schengen Visa Application.

Documents required for applying for a Schengen Visa In order to ensure a smooth & hassle-free Schengen Visa acquisition from the embassy, the applicant must provide all the necessary documents requested by a Schengen country consulate.

Important documents required for Schengen visa may include: 1. A Duly Filled Schengen Visa Application Form 2. 2 Recent Colored Passport Photographs 3. Original Passport & colored copy of passport pages containing personal details & photograph of the Applicant.

4. Roundtrip Reservation Papers/Proof 5. Proof of Accommodation of every single night that is to be spent in the Schengen Zone 6. Travel Health Insurance with a minimum coverage of at least 30,000 EUR. 7. Bank Statements of the latest 3 months from the date of Visa Application.

8. A valid UK Residence Permit valid for a period of 90 days from the date of departure from Schengen Zone (applies to UK residents holding third-country nationalities) How to apply Schengen visa?    

Fill the Visa Application Form Online Your Schengen Travel Visa Appointment will be fixed with the respective Embassy Visit Embassy with all the required documents on the Appointment Date The Submitted Passport & Schengen Visa will be sent to you via post.