Schengen Visa Itinerary

With the Schengen visa, you can travel to 26 countries in Europe. The countries in the Schengen agreement allow for free movement of people from one country to another. Let’s take an example. Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary – these 4 countries belong to the Schengen zone and you are allowed to travel and stay in any of these countries for a period of 90 days.

If you are planning to visit multiple countries, your visa application should be submitted to the country where you will be staying the longest. Let’s take this example, ‘Mike” is visiting Paris, Luxembourg and Amsterdam. He flies (return trip) to Paris and stays there for 3 days, 6 days in Amsterdam and 2 days in Luxembourg. Mike will apply to the Netherlands (Amsterdam) consulate for Visa.

Helpful Tips on Applying for Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa is issued as a single entry or a multiple entry visa.

•           A single-entry visa allows its holder to visit a country or countries within a Schengen zone. Once they exit the country, the visa is no longer valid. In the above example, if you visit Germany and then travel to Austria and Hungary – you are still in one Schengen zone.               A single-entry visa is sufficient for a short stay if you do not leave the Schengen zone (for the entire trip).

•           A multiple entry visa allows you to travel in and out of the Schengen zone multiple times. The thing to keep in mind is that – the visa holder can stay in the designated Schengen zone up to 90 days within half the year. Another example, if you plan on getting a return ticket to Paris (France), then travel to UK and back to Paris (or any other Schengen zone country), then you would require a double or multiple visa (depending on how many times you wish to leave and re-enter the Schengen country)

When you apply for the Schengen Visa, here are certain things you need to be aware of. This is also their basic checklist that applies to all Schengen applications.

1.         Schengen Visa application form is available online for free. Certain countries coordinate with VFS to process visas and you can apply online for the same (and then print the application form for submission)

2.         Schengen Visa application fees is 60 Euros, payable in your local currency (as of August 2018)

3.         If the visa application is processed by VFS, you will have to pay additional fees to VFS

4.         Travel Insurance of 30,000 Euros is required. Get your travel insurance here

5.         Insurance Advice: Policy should include repatriation coverage.

6.         2 Pieces of photographs as per these specifications are required

7.         Your travel document (passport) should be valid for at least 3 months after your return from the Schengen country and must be issued within the last 10 years. Must also have 2 blank pages.

8.         Booked flight tickets

9.         Hotel Reservations or funds to prove you can arrange accommodation.

o          Consider reserving flights and hotels at Schengen visa Itinerary (trusted website for booking and itineraries)

10.       Detailed day by day itinerary of your stay (include tours, activities, sightseeing location)

11.       Include an application letter applying for Visa

12.       Bank statements (up-to 3 months), pension and pay slips, proof of funds

13.       Include a letter from your employer stating your salary, position and job start date

In all visa applications, no medical tests are required. However, bio-metrics and photographs are mandatory. After submitting your bio-metrics, these results are valid for 52 weeks. Within 52 weeks, if bio-metrics were captured, it is NOT mandatory to submit visa application in person. They can be mailed by post as well.

In short, your first Schengen visa application will be submitted in person. Subsequent visa applications can be mailed, provided your bio-metrics were recorded. In terms of “when” you can submit your application, 3 months is the time-frame. You cannot submit your documents months in advance.  Visa decisions are made within 15 days of application submission.

Traveling to a European country is a dream come true for many of us. Be it related to work or for the sheer joy of traveling, buying a travel insurance policy will always ensure that you don’t get affected by a travel-related perils. To help you out, here are a few things you need to know about travel insurance when visiting a Schengen country.

Mandatory Requirements for Schengen Travel Insurance in India

1.         If you intend to travel to any of the Schengen countries like United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, etc. you will require travel insurance. This document is important while procuring a visa. Thus, you require travel insurance for Schengen visa.

2.         To get your Schengen visa, approach the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit. Remember that your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay period.

3.         You can buy travel insurance for Schengen visa from any general insurance company that has an office in the Schengen country you are traveling to.

4.         The policyholder should be covered for the entire trip to a Schengen country/countries.

5.         The minimum coverage offered under the policy should not be less than Euro 30,000.

What Are the Coverages of a Schengen Travel Insurance?

Schengen travel insurance provides a wholesome coverage. According to the terms and conditions of the policy, you may be covered for the following situations under Schengen travel insurance in India:

•           Hospitalization

In case the policyholder contracts an illness while on a trip to any of the Schengen countries, the cost of treatment may be borne by the travel insurance company.

•           Interruptions in the trip

There could be an unanticipated unrest or bad weather conditions due to which the trip gets interrupted. The cost of such interruptions that are beyond the control of the policyholder might be borne by the insurance company.

•           Loss or delay of baggage

Your baggage could get delayed or stolen while on the trip. Due to which you would have to buy the required things, your travel insurance company may reimburse you for such expenses. As per the terms and conditions of your insurer, you may be reimbursed for parts of the luggage you lost.

•           Missed connections

If you have a connecting flight to reach your destination and miss it due to a situation beyond your control, for example, flight delay, your insurer will help you get another flight in order to reach your destination.

•           Repatriation of remains

If a person suffers death while on the trip, the insurance company may bear the cost of transporting the remains to his/her homeland.

•           Emergency Evacuation

In case of an emergency situation like an attack or an outbreak of a disease you may need to leave the country on an immediate basis. In such a situation, your insurer may bear the cost of this evacuation.

•           Accidental death or injury

In case you get injured in an accident or if the accident leads to death, you/ your family may be given a compensation.

•           Disability

If an accident leads to partial or permanent disability, your travel insurance company may bear the cost of treatment and may pay you a compensation.

•           Travel delays due to weather

Your travel insurance company may help you with the bookings if your trip gets delayed due to bad weather conditions.

What Is Not Covered Under Schengen Travel Insurance?

Here is a list of situations that may not be covered under the policy:

•           Pre-existing diseases

•           Self-inflicted injuries

•           Mental disorder

•           Injuries due to using an intoxicating substance

•           Pregnancy or related complications

•           Mental or psychiatric disorders

•           Traveling for the purpose of availing a medical treatment.

•           Carelessness (towards self or belongings)

•           War or nuclear threat

•           Expenses incurred when the insurance policy is not active

•           Cost of spectacles, hearing aids, contact lens, and other external appliances

•           Cosmetic surgery unless required as a result of an accident

•           Loss or damage of passport as a result of the confiscation or detention by the police or any other legal authority

The Bottom Line

Buying a travel insurance for your trip to a Schengen country is mandatory. Understand the coverage well, this will help you during your trip. Also, make it a point to read through the fine print of your policy document.

The most important supporting documents for Schengen Visa Application are a Proof of Accommodation as well as flight reservation the diplomatic office of the relevant Schengen country has to see you prearranged place to stay for the duration of your visit in the destined country. Below also check for our travel service to hotel booking for all visa application and flights itinerary for visa.

The Embassy does that through the following recognized forms:

•           An Evidence of a Place to Stay, such as Hotel Booking or Reservation,

•           An Invitation from The Host with a Copy of His Passport (proof of sponsorship),

•           An evidence of a pre-paid tour with details of your payment to the tour operator

Please see below snippet from embassy official site for accommodation purpose

Arisen by the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 13 July 2009, establishing a Community Code on Visas known as “Visa Code”, Proof of Accommodation is a rule of the visa application procedure that each Schengen country ought to apply to their foreign visa seekers.

As such, in the Article 14 (1) the “Visa Code” stipulates the following:

“When applying for a uniform visa, the applicant shall present:

•           Documents indicating the purpose of the journey;

•           Documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover his accommodation;”

While in the 4th section of the same article the “Visa Code” specifies:

“Member States may require applicants to present a proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by each Member State. That form shall indicate in particular:

•           Whether its purpose is proof of sponsorship and/or of accommodation;

•           Whether the host is an individual, a company or an organization;

•           The host’s identity and contact details;

•           The invited applicant(s);

•           The address of the accommodation;”

On the other hand, the Article 21(5) about verification of entry conditions and risk assessment, requires:

“The means of subsistence for the intended stay shall be assessed in accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the Member State(s) concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the number of days stayed, on the basis of the reference amounts set by the Member States in accordance with Article 34(1)(c) of the Schengen Borders Code. Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation may also constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.”

How Do I Have to Confirm My Hotel Booking?

Most important rule, you should be careful checking if your confirmation number is valid. This for the fact that the diplomatic office will do it anyway, and if there can be tracked attempts of fraudulent hotel booking, the staff of the office will refuse your visa application and penalize you further. To avoid this unwanted scenario, you confirm your booking number by direct contacting the hotel, either through written email or by other means.

Make sure to do this before presenting the hotel booking to the diplomatic office.

The following information should be provided in the letter:

•           Your full name

•           The address of the hotel

•           The contact email or phone numbers of the hotel

•           The arrival and departure dates

•           The reservation code

Introduction

Schengen states have made it mandatory for all the applicants to avail visa travel insurance as it helps in coping with mammoth expenses in case of any unforeseen medical complication. Besides, visa travel insurance provides financial security to backpackers so that they can fully enjoy their journey without any anxiety.

Travel Medical Insurance Criteria

•           The availed medical insurance must cover minimum expenses equivalent to 30000 EUR or 50000 USD.

•           Travel medical insurance should be valid in all member states of the Schengen Area.

•           It should cover all expenses pertaining to repatriation for medical reasons, medical emergency, treatment in hospital and death.

It is pertinent here to mention that not all travelers are obliged to avail the insurance. Rather, it is compulsory only for visa nationalities.

The aforesaid group is bound to avail medical insurance regardless if they are traveling to the Schengen Area on the visit, tourism, business, study or any other visa.

The citizens of those countries who enjoy visa-free procedures with EU are not bound to avail the policy. Medical insurance is optional for them and embassies or consulates do not demand it from them.

Travel Visa Insurance is a must when applying for a Schengen Visa

Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:

“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.

 The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)

States Covered by Schengen Travel Insurance

The Schengen medical insurance covers the following states:

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 Area

Schengen Area is a borderless, passport-free zone comprising 26 countries of Europe. Till date, the Schengen Area remains the world’s largest visa-free zone in the world.

Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject holder of a Schengen Visa to border checks at internal borders of the Schengen countries.

There’s a predetermined order that needs to be followed while choosing the embassy to file your Schengen visa application.

1.         If you plan to travel only one country in the Schengen zone, apply at the embassy of the country you intend to visit. Quite obvious, I know 🙂

2.         If you are going to travel to more than one Schengen state, apply at the embassy of the country you intend to spend the maximum number of days in, called as the main or primary destination.

3.         If you mean to spend the equal number of days in two or more Schengen countries, apply at the embassy of the country you propose to enter the Schengen area through, called as the port of entry.

Denmark Embassy also handles the visa process for Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands and Greenland though part of Kingdom of Denmark is not the part of Schengen Region. So, you can’t enter here based on your Schengen visa.

You have to write a different cover letter along with the Schengen visa cover letter and choose multiple entry visa if Greenland or Faroe Islands are part of your travel plan.

You need a Schengen Visa issued by the Danish Consulate with a sticker mentioning that it’s valid for the Faroe Islands or/and Greenland too.

Apply through Danish VFS and mention on the application form Greenland or the Faroe Islands as the main destination.

Svalbard is not a part of the Schengen treaty system. To visit Svalbard, one needs a Schengen visa with two or multiple entries.

Svalbard is visa-free but Schengen Visa is required because you have to enter and exit the Schengen region while traveling to this Norwegian archipelago.

Another stratagem is to choose the country with a lower Schengen visa rejection rate.

France and Germany are known to be the fastest of the lot, however, Spain is infamous for being the toughest to grant Schengen Visa. Greece is known for its higher than normal share of personal interviews.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Iceland, Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic have the lowest Schengen visa rejection rate which ranges from 0.5% to 2.5 %.

Poland is the easiest country to apply for a Schengen Visa from India with the fastest visa processing rate.

It’s a safe bet to check the embassy toughness index before zeroing down on the country to apply.

If you are planning to ahead your trip to Europe or Many other countries then their VISA process is so tough and complicated that every document you attached with your visa application form must be verified with full details & proof. In these documents checklist there are accepted, which are considered as most important points like Flight Reservation Ticket Proof & Evidence of Accommodation etc. So Here we will explain about how to Book Dummy Hotel Reservation which will help you to get your VISA easy or to lock the Price before travelling the destination.

During VISA processing, the Embassy or Consulates of the particular countries ask for Hotel Booking or reservation proof that where will you stay there. The VISA processing officers confirm from your side about hotel reservations, hotel name, address & telephone number including confirmation number. so, there is easiest way to complete your visa process for Hotel or Proof of accommodation through relevant documentation without paying it through booking.com. In this article, learn about to Book Dummy Hotel Reservation from booking.com through step by step process and do apply for VISA. For Example; Dummy Hotel Reservation for Schengen Visa.

For Example, you are applying for a Schengen visa for any of the 26 countries in Europe, then you need to provide the evidence of Accommodation as part & rules of VISA process. Then you can make ensure the Embassy or Consulates about proof of accommodation i.e. dummy ticket of hotel through booking.com without paying any money, then there is best chance to be ensure about approval of your Schengen Visa. if any case you VISA is Rejected then you can cancel the reservation without losing any money.

Hotel Reservation for Schengen Visa

For Schengen Visa Application Process Flight Itinerary is mandatory likewise the visa officer may ask for the Proof of Accommodation to your destination Schengen Country to verify where will you stay during your visit for particular days. So, the Applicants have to show the Evidence of Stay or Accommodation but when applicant is unsure to tell about the stay or do not want to spend money on paying complete for the hotel stay, then Dummy Hotel Booking is the way or alternative through which you can satisfy the visa counsel officer by showing the proof of stay in Schengen country.

As well as if you want to visit the Thailand, you have to show the proof of accommodation there. so dummy hotel booking for Thailand visa is the best alternative for your visit hassle free.

The common restrictions and limitations about the Travel Insurance:

•           As previously mentioned there are travel insurance companies that don’t provide coverage for a preexisting condition internationally. In case you have a condition prior to your departure to Europe, you’ve consulted a doctor and are already on treatment and you’ve decided to travel out of the country, in this case, you are not prone to any medical cost alleviations via your insurer. However, if one is proclaimed fit to travel having the condition under control, most commonly the travel insurance is ought to cover an unexpected emergency related to the condition when travelling in an international domain, an acute onset of the preexisting condition.

•           Sports – Participation in high-risk activities such as extreme sports e.g., scuba diving, skydiving, etc., can be excluded.

•           War – Policies may exclude coverage for injuries caused by war when travelling to an endangered war zone.

•           Duration – Many policies specify a time limit for coverage (e.g., 60 days) and the costs differ accordingly.

•           Suicide in an international or domestic domain is excluded from any insurance policy as well as the self-inflicted injuries.

•           In a case of any substance abuse, drugs or alcohol, domestic or international the medical expenses won’t be covered by your insurance policy.

Helpful Tips about Europe Visa Travel Insurance

As aforementioned, before purchasing another travel insurance policy for your upcoming travel to Europe make sure that the one you already have doesn’t cover or alleviate any international health emergency costs.

In case your policy does cover some international medical costs carefully check the restrictions and limitations to the travel insurance policy.

If you are travelling by car in the Schengen region and cannot afford to pay crazy amounts of money in case of an unpredictable car accident – or simply you are not willing to give all that money away, you should consider purchasing combined travel insurance including health matters as well as valuable possessions.

Depending on the travel destination the risk of illness varies with the changes in the climate or the natural habitat (unfamiliar microbe residents). It’s highly recommended for people with preexisting conditions like allergies, for example, to carry their medical file from their personal physician describing the condition and the drugs prescribed to maintain it. In case one has a chronic disease, again, it’s smart to be carrying the prescribed drugs in the amount needed for the days spent travelling in Europe.