Where to apply for a Schengen visa?

The visa application must be submitted to the consulate of the country of sole destination of the visit(s) or, if the visit includes more than one destination, to the consulate of the country whose territory constitues the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of length or purpose of stay. If no main destination can be determined, the competent consulate will the one of the country whose external border the visa applicant intends to cross to enter Schengen area.

For a transit visa, the application must be submitted to the consulate of the country concerned by the transit if there is only one transit. In the case of transit through several Schengen States, the application must be submitted to the consulate of the country whose external border the applicant intends to cross to start the transit.

For an airport transit visa, in the case of a single transit, the competent consulate is the one of the country on whose territory the transit airport is situated. In the case of double or multiple airport transit, the competent consulate is the one of the country on whose territory the first transit is situated.

Schengen visa issued by representation

If the competent Schengen State has no diplomatic representation in a particular country, the visa may be issued by representation by the consulate which represents the interests of the responsible State in that country. When contemplating refusing a visa, the consulate of the representing Schengen State shall however submit the application to the relevant authorities of the represented Schengen State for final decision.

For more information on Schengen States which are represented and the States representing them, view the table of representation for issuing uniform visas.

Schengen visa application by non-residents

The applicant, who submits a visa application in a country where he or she is legally present, but which is not his or her country of residence, must provide the competent consulate with justification for lodging the application at that consulate.