What is a Schengen visa C?
Definition
Schengen visa C
A Schengen visa C is the standard short-stay visa for travel inside the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is valid for travel across all 27 member states and is the visa most tourists, business travellers and short-term visitors need.
Key facts
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any 180-day period. |
|---|---|
| Coverage | All 27 Schengen states under a single visa sticker. |
| Standard fee | €90 (€45 for children 6–12, free for under-6). |
| Processing time | 15 calendar days standard; up to 45 days for further review. |
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm biometric, identical across all 27 member states. |
Schengen visa types — C vs D vs A
A "C visa" is the short-stay visa (up to 90 days). A "D visa" is a national long-stay visa issued by one specific country (typically for study, work or family reunification, valid 90 days or longer). An "A visa" is the airport transit visa — only allows passage through the international transit zone of a Schengen airport, not entry to the territory.
Single-entry vs multiple-entry
A single-entry C visa allows one trip into Schengen. Once you leave you cannot re-enter on the same visa. A multiple-entry C visa allows unlimited trips during its validity. Consulates issue multiple-entry visas more often after one or two successful single-entry applications.
The 90/180 rule explained
The 90-day limit counts cumulatively over a rolling 180-day window. If you spent 60 days in Schengen in the past 90 days and want to come back, you have 30 days left until the window rolls. The official "Schengen calculator" on the EU Home Affairs site does the maths automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schengen C visa the same as the European Union visa?
Not exactly. Schengen covers 27 states; the EU has 27 member states but four of them (Ireland, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria — partial Schengen) are not in the Schengen Area. The Schengen C visa works only in the 27 Schengen states, not in EU non-Schengen countries.
Which Schengen country should I apply through?
The country where you spend the most days. If the days are equal, your first entry country. Applying through a country you do not actually visit ("visa shopping") is detected by the VIS database and leads to refusal.
What photo do I need for a Schengen C visa?
35 × 45 mm biometric photo with plain light background, head 70–80% of frame, neutral expression. See our Schengen pillar guide for the full specification and country-by-country handling.