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Schengen Visa
Visa lawyer explains all information about the Schengen visa, the Schengen area and Schengen history.
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About this Page
The Schengen visa has enormous practical significance and is regulated in Section 6 of the Residence Act and the Visa Code . Unfortunately, applying for a Schengen visa can be extremely time-consuming and stressful (e.g., because no appointments are available or because it's unclear which documents are required). At the same time, the Schengen visa (e.g., in the form of a business visa ) has not only social but also economic significance. On this page, you will find all the necessary information and step-by-step guides for applying for a Schengen visa , helping you avoid the biggest legal pitfalls and ensure a smooth visa process.
Table of Contents
1. What is a Schengen visa?
2. Which countries are part of the Schengen area
3. The Schengen Idea
4. Schengen Agreements
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion
7. VISAGUARD guides to the Schengen visa
1. What is a Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa is a residence permit that allows entry and short-term stay in Germany . The Schengen visa is generally issued for up to 90 days. It can also be issued for a longer period, but this does not necessarily mean that a stay of more than 90 days is permitted. You can calculate whether the permitted 90 days have been exceeded using the European Commission's Schengen calculator .
Schengen visas can be issued for many different purposes . In most cases, a Schengen visa is issued for one of the following purposes:
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tourism
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Visitor visa (e.g. family members)
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Cultural and sporting events
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Trade fair visits
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Business trips
Depending on the type of Schengen visa, different requirements must be met and different documents submitted to the embassy. On this page, you will find all the information you need about the different requirements for applying for a Schengen visa.
2. Which countries are part of the Schengen area
The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 countries that have abolished border controls at their internal borders. These include almost all EU member states, such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands, with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus. The non-EU states Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein also belong to the Schengen Area. Since March 31, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania have also been partially integrated – controls at air and sea borders have been lifted, while they remain in place at land borders.
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3. The Schengen Idea
The Schengen idea is based on the principle of granting people the same freedom of movement within Europe that had long been the reality for goods within the single market. While goods could circulate between EU member states without customs duties and border controls, travelers were still subject to national border controls. To end this inequality, five European countries joined forces in 1985 and created a new legal framework outside the then EC framework to abolish internal border controls. The political vision behind the Schengen area was to strengthen mobility, trust, and common security standards in Europe – a decisive step towards European integration.
4. Schengen Agreements
The path to today's Schengen Area was a milestone in European cooperation. The Schengen Agreement of 1985 and the associated Implementing Convention (SIA) of 1990 laid the foundation for control-free entry within the participating states. To ensure security despite open borders, a common information system (SIS) for law enforcement and investigations was introduced, and uniform criteria for visas and the residence of third-country nationals were defined. Since the common visa system came into force in 1995, the Schengen Area has grown continuously and now encompasses almost all EU member states as well as some associated non-EU countries such as Norway and Switzerland.
The greatest legal advance came with the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999, which incorporated the Schengen acquis into EU law. The subsequent agreements of Nice (2001) and Lisbon (2007) further developed the system, for example, by introducing majority voting in visa policy. Since then, Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001 has provided binding regulations for third countries that are permitted visa-free entry. This is supplemented by the Visa Code (EC No. 810/2009), which was updated in 2020. Special regulations apply to countries such as Denmark, Ireland, and the former EU member, Great Britain.
5. FAQ Schengen Visa
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is a residence permit that allows entry and short-term stay in Germany. It is generally issued for up to 90 days. A longer visa validity does not automatically mean that a stay of more than 90 days is permitted. The permitted length of stay can be checked using the European Commission's Schengen calculator.
Which countries belong to the Schengen area?
The Schengen Area comprises 29 countries, including almost all EU member states such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands (except Ireland and Cyprus), as well as non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Bulgaria and Romania have been partially integrated since March 31, 2024.
What is the idea behind the Schengen area?
The Schengen concept is based on granting freedom of travel within Europe, similar to the free movement of goods within the single market. The aim is to promote mobility, trust, and common security standards among the participating states.