A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes

All nationals of third countries, which have yet not reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states, need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Europe. To check whether you need a Schengen Visa to travel to one of the Schengen member countries.

You will have to present several documents at the Schengen port of entry, in order to be permitted to enter, if you are a non-EU/Schengen country national, regardless if you are a visa-exempt or not.

The documents you need to provide when entering the Schengen Area are as follows:

• Valid Passport
• Hotel Booking
• Travel Insurance
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Bank Statements

EU/Schengen border officials may also ask for other information and documents such as sufficient funds,  proof of accommodation, how long you intend to stay, round-trip airline ticket, the purpose of your entry, travel insurance, invitation letter, etc.

Please, make sure that the border officer gives you an entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.

You need to apply for a Schengen Visa if you intend to visit one or more European countries of this area for the following reasons:

• Business purposes.
• Visiting friends and family.
• Tourism and holidays.
• Cultural and sports events.
• Airport transit and transit for seafarers.
• Official visit.
• Medical reasons.
• Short-term study and research purposes. 

Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen countries and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single-entry visa, double-entry visa, or multiple-entry visa.

Your Travel Medical Insurance should be valid for your whole stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR for medical emergencies.