Europe, Here I Come: Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines

Welcome to Europe, the continent of kings, queens, gourmet chocolates, haute couture, history, and art! Is experiencing its exquisite sights and sounds part of your bucket list? If so, know that your journey will start with getting a Schengen visa.

To manage your expectations, the Schengen visa application procedure has a reputation for being grueling and nerve-racking. The stress would-be vacationers experience usually comes from a lack of information. But if you arm yourself with knowledge, the process of completing your Schengen visa requirements in the Philippines won’t be as complicated.

Yes, it's time-consuming, but it’s doable. To prepare for your Schengen visa application, read this article.

What is a Schengen Visa?

Before anything else, let’s define Schengen. Schengen refers to a zone composed of 27 European countries that removed their internal borders. The abolition of borders among these countries allows free and unrestricted travel of people. So if you’re a Schengen country citizen, you can travel to other Schengen countries without going through border checks.

A Schengen visa, meanwhile, is a document that grants non-Europeans the privilege to travel to these 27 Schengen countries. Once you get this visa, you can cross the borders of the member countries without having to undergo border checks.

With this document, you don’t need to apply for another national visa just to visit another Schengen country. Think of it as a master key that can unlock many rooms.

With a Schengen visa, you can travel for 90 days over a 180-day period, starting from your approved entry date.

What are the Schengen Visa Countries?

Here’s the current Schengen visa countries list for 2023.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Germany
• Greece
• Spain
• France
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Hungary
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Finland
• Sweden
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Switzerland

Croatia is the latest addition to the Schengen visa countries list this 2023.^[1] 

If you’re wondering, “Is the Schengen visa valid for the UK?” the answer is no. The United Kingdom, together with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, is not part of the Schengen Area. That means you’ll need to apply for a different visa if you’re planning to visit these countries.

Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa?

Most non-European citizens need a Schengen visa to visit Europe. However, there are non-European countries whose citizens aren’t required to provide a Schengen visa, thanks to their visa waiver agreement with the European Union (EU). These include the United States, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico, among others.

Filipino passport holders are required to apply for a Schengen visa. But some exceptions apply, such as the following:

• Filipinos who hold dual citizenship whose other citizenship is of one of the Schengen member countries
• Filipinos who hold dual citizenship whose other citizenship is of one of the countries with a visa-free agreement with the Schengen zone
• Filipinos who already have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa

What are the Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines?

The Schengen visa requirements in 2023 are honestly quite a handful. Aside from primary requirements, you may need to provide supporting documents, depending on the purpose of your visit.

📌 Main Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines

The following are the main Schengen visa requirements in 2023:

• Valid Philippine passport – You must include the original and a copy.
• Duly accomplished application form – This is usually available on the websites of the Schengen countries’ embassies in the Philippines.  
• Civil status certificates – These documents include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, family certificate, and death certificate (if applicable).
• Birth certificate and proof of parental consent (if applicable) – Minors must submit their birth certificate and parental consent in case they’re traveling alone or with one parent/legal guardian.
• Two recent photos – They should be taken in the last six months. The Schengen visa photo requirements, such as the size and the number, may depend on the embassy you’re applying at.
• Round-trip flight itinerary – You don’t have to book flights yet, but you can reserve flights via travel agencies for a fee. If you have flights within Schengen countries, don’t forget to include them.
• Proof of accommodation – This is your hotel booking or reservation via a third-party booking site (e.g., Airbnb, Agoda, etc.). If you’re staying with a relative or friend who’s a Schengen resident, include their address.
• Travel health insurance – Your Schengen visa insurance’s coverage should be €30,000 or around ₱1,779,000 as of this writing. You can get your travel insurance from a travel agency or an accredited insurance company.
• Cover letter – This should explain the reason for your Schengen visa application, the length of your stay, and your travel plans in the Schengen Area.
• Copies of Schengen visa (if applicable) – If you’ve been to Europe before and you’re applying for a new Schengen visa, provide copies of your old Schengen visas.
• Proof of enough financial means – This includes original copies of bank documents (bank certificates and statements) showing your account balance and transactions in the last three to six months. You may also provide the following depending on your kind of employment:
  • If employed – Your employment contract and certificate of annual leave issued by your employer
  • If freelancer or self-employed – Your business license (if applicable) and your business bank statements
  • If retired –  Your bank statement that shows the amount of pension you received in the last six months
  • If a student – Your certificate of registration issued by your school, student ID, transcript of grades, a copy of registration certificate issued by the faculty and signed and stamped by the school, proof of your parents’ financial stability, and proof of employment contract or enough financial resources

📌 Supporting Schengen Visa Tourist Requirements in the Philippines

As mentioned, you’ll need to provide supporting Schengen visa requirements depending on the purpose of your travel. For tourists, include these extra Schengen visa tourist requirements in your application:

• Affidavit of support in case you don’t have a bank account or enough funds to cover your travel expenses
• A travel itinerary that details your trip’s purpose and time frame. You also need to provide your hotel reservations or a formal invitation from a Schengen country resident.

When Should I Submit the Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines?

Most European embassies allow applicants to submit their Schengen visa requirements as early as 90 days or three months before the intended travel date. While this period is quite long, you have to give yourself some allowance not only to gather all your documents but also to accommodate additional requests from the embassy.

Where Should I Submit the Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines?

You can submit your Schengen visa requirements to the embassy, consulate, or visa center of any of the Schengen countries mentioned above. But take into account the following circumstances.

• If you’re traveling to only one Schengen country, submit your requirements to the embassy, consulate, or visa center of that country.
• If you’re visiting multiple Schengen countries, submit your application to the embassy, consulate, or visa center of:
  • The country where you’ll be staying the longest – For example, if you’re staying for five days in France, four days in Spain, and three days in Portugal, lodge your application at the French Embassy.
  • The first country you’ll visit if you’re planning to spend an equal number of days in different Schengen countries – For example, if you’re spending five days in Italy first, then five days in Switzerland and five days in Austria, you should lodge your application at the Italian Embassy.