The Schengen Area covers 27 European countries — from Portugal to Poland, from Iceland to Greece. A single Schengen visa allows you to travel freely within all of them for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It's one of the most powerful short-stay visas in the world, and one of the most frequently refused.
Which country to apply to: you must apply to the consulate of the country that is your main destination, or the country of first entry if you're spending equal time in multiple countries. If you apply to France for a trip that's 70% spent in Italy, your application will be rejected.
Documents checklist: valid passport (6+ months beyond travel date, with at least 2 blank pages), completed Schengen application form, 2 recent photos (35×45mm, white background), travel itinerary, round-trip flight booking, hotel confirmations for every night, proof of accommodation if staying with friends/family, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 cover), 3–6 months of bank statements, proof of employment or studies, and proof of ties to home country.
Bank statement requirements: there's no single figure, but the standard guidance is €50–100 per day of your stay. For a 14-day trip, show at least €700–1,400. More is better. Unexplained large deposits shortly before the application are a red flag for consulates.
Processing time: consulates aim for 15 calendar days. Allow 45 days if applying during peak season (summer, Christmas). The Schengen system allows applications up to 6 months in advance — use this.
Most common reasons for rejection: insufficient funds, weak ties to home country, incomplete documentation, or no clear itinerary. At Trippatron, we review your application for all of these before submission. Our Schengen approval rate is 91%.