Last updated: 12 August 2026 · Reviewed by Małgorzata Zep, lawyer and travel industry specialist
Consulates require proof of your travel plan — but not a paid ticket. This page explains what a flight itinerary is, how to get one without spending money on flights you may not take, and the legal line you should not cross.
Reservation, Not Ticket
The Visa Code requires evidence of your intended journey. A flight reservation (also called an itinerary or dummy ticket) shows the route, dates and passenger name — it is a booking record, not a purchase.
⚠️ This is why buying non-refundable tickets before your visa is decided is a bad idea: a refusal leaves you with a ticket and no visa. Decisions take 15 calendar days, extendable to 45.
What the Itinerary Must Show
- Your full name, exactly as in the passport
- Round-trip route — entry into and exit from the Schengen Area
- Dates matching your application form and insurance
- A booking reference (PNR) that can be verified
- Flight numbers and airline
The return leg matters as much as the outbound. It is part of showing that you intend to leave.
Four Legitimate Ways to Get One
1. Airline hold
Several airlines let you hold a fare for 24–72 hours, sometimes for a small fee. This produces a genuine PNR. Timing is tight, but it is entirely legitimate.
2. Refundable or flexible ticket
Buy a fully refundable fare and cancel if refused. It costs more up front and ties up money for weeks, but it is real and verifiable.
3. Travel agency booking
An agency issues a reservation for a service fee, typically valid for one to two weeks. Ask explicitly how long it remains verifiable.
4. Reservation service
Online services issue a real PNR for a small fee, usually valid one to two weeks. ⚠️ Choose one that issues a verifiable booking — consulates do check.
The Line You Should Not Cross
⚠️ A fabricated document is a different matter entirely. A reservation created in a design program, an invented PNR, or an edited confirmation is document fraud — not a shortcut.
Consequences are severe and lasting: refusal, an entry ban, and a record in the Schengen Information System visible to every consulate for years. Weigh that against the cost of a legitimate reservation.
Verification is routine: officers check PNRs against airline systems.
Practical Points
- Check the validity period. A reservation expiring before your appointment is worthless. Time it to the appointment, not the application date.
- Keep dates identical across form, itinerary, accommodation, insurance and cover letter. Mismatches are the most common documentation problem.
- Match your main destination. If you fly into Germany but spend most nights in Italy, apply to Italy — the itinerary should make the plan coherent.
- Cover every night in your accommodation bookings, matching the itinerary dates.
- Buy the real ticket after approval — and only then.
Insurance Follows the Same Logic
Your insurance certificate must cover the dates on the itinerary, with at least €30,000 medical cover including repatriation, valid in all Schengen states. Unlike flights, insurance is required in the file at submission — a missing certificate means rejection at intake and the loss of the €90 fee.
Our visa insurance starts at €20 for 30 days, issued immediately. See also the full documents checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy flight tickets before applying?
No. A reservation showing route, dates and your name is sufficient. Buy the ticket after approval.
Are dummy tickets legal?
A genuine reservation issued by an airline or agency is legitimate. A fabricated document is fraud and can lead to an entry ban.
How long is a flight reservation valid?
Typically one to two weeks, depending on the provider. Confirm it will still be verifiable on your appointment date.
Do consulates verify reservations?
Yes — PNRs are checked against airline systems as a matter of routine.
What if my travel dates change after approval?
You may travel on different dates within the visa’s validity, but your insurance must cover the days you actually travel.
Do I need a return flight?
Yes. The return leg is part of demonstrating that you intend to leave before the visa expires.
