Last updated: 9 August 2026 · Reviewed by Małgorzata Zep, lawyer and travel industry specialist
There are three Schengen visa types — A, C and D — and choosing the wrong one is a standard reason for refusal. The dividing line is simple: 90 days. Up to 90 days you need a C; beyond that a D, which is a national visa, not a Schengen one.
| Type A | Airport transit — changing planes without entering the Schengen Area. Fee €90. |
| Type C | Short stay — up to 90 days in any 180. Tourism, business, family, study under 90 days. Fee €90 (€45 for children aged 6–11). |
| Type D | Long stay — over 90 days. Work, study, family reunification. Issued by one country under its own law; fee set nationally, usually €50–€180. |
Type A — airport transit
Needed only if you change planes in a Schengen airport without passing through immigration, and only for certain nationalities — including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Syria. Individual member states add further countries.
You stay in the international transit area. If you want to leave the airport — even for a few hours — you need a Type C instead.
Type C — short stay
The visa most travellers mean by “Schengen visa”. It covers all 29 Schengen countries and allows up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
Purpose does not change the type
Tourism, business, visiting family, a conference, a short language course — all of these are a Type C. The purpose determines your supporting documents, not the category. There is no separate “tourist visa” and “business visa” in the Schengen system, despite how it is often described.
Entries
Single, double or multiple. A multiple-entry visa costs the same €90, and after two visas lawfully used within three years you become entitled to a longer one under the cascade rule.
Validity is not the same as permitted stay
A visa valid 1 March to 1 September with “DURATION OF STAY: 30” gives you 30 days, taken any time in that window — not six months.
Where to apply
To the consulate of your main destination — where you will spend the most nights. If nights are even, the country you enter first. Applying elsewhere because it seems easier is visa shopping and a recognised ground for refusal.
Type D — long stay
For stays over 90 days: work, study, research, or joining family. Two things about it are commonly misunderstood.
It is a national visa, not a Schengen visa. Germany issues it under German law, France under French law. Requirements, fees and processing times differ by country and there is no common EU standard beyond the format.
But it still lets you travel. A valid Type D permits you to move through other Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180 — the same allowance as a Type C, alongside your long stay in the issuing country.
What happens after arrival
A Type D is usually valid for up to a year and is normally the entry route to a residence permit obtained locally. Registering with the local authority within the required window is a condition — missing it can invalidate your stay.
C or D — how to decide
| Type C | Type D | |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days | Over 90 days |
| Issued under | EU Visa Code — common rules | National law of one country |
| Valid in | All 29 states | Issuing state, plus 90/180 elsewhere |
| Work permitted | No | Yes, if that is its purpose |
| Fee | €90 (€45 children 6–11) | Set nationally, usually €50–€180 |
| Leads to residence | No | Usually yes |
You cannot convert one into the other
A Type C cannot be turned into a Type D from inside the Schengen Area. You must return home and apply again. Planning to “sort it out once there” is how people end up overstaying.
Limited Territorial Validity (LTV)
Occasionally a visa is issued valid for only some countries — on humanitarian grounds, or where not all requirements were met. The sticker names the countries instead of reading “ETATS SCHENGEN”.
Check this field before booking. An LTV visa naming France does not admit you to Spain.
Who does not need a visa at all
Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and around 60 other countries may enter for short stays without a visa. From the last quarter of 2026 they will instead need an ETIAS authorisation — an online screening, not a visa, valid three years and costing €20.
If you hold a Schengen visa you do not need ETIAS. The two never apply at once.
Countries a Schengen visa does not cover
Ireland and Cyprus are EU members outside Schengen with their own visa policies. The United Kingdom requires a UK visa or ETA. Russia, Belarus, Türkiye and the Western Balkans have their own regimes — though several Balkan states admit holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Romania and Bulgaria are full Schengen members since 1 January 2025, so a Schengen visa covers both.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Schengen visa types?
Three: A (airport transit), C (short stay up to 90 days) and D (national long stay over 90 days).
Is there a separate tourist visa and business visa?
No. Both are a Type C. The purpose affects your documents, not the visa category.
Can I convert a Type C into a Type D?
No. You must return to your country of residence and apply for the Type D there.
Does a Type D let me travel to other Schengen countries?
Yes — up to 90 days in any 180-day period, in addition to your stay in the issuing country.
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
€90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–11 for Types A and C. Under-6s are free. Type D fees are set nationally.
Do I need a transit visa if I only change planes?
Only certain nationalities need a Type A, and only if you stay airside. To leave the airport you need a Type C.
Can I work on a Type C?
No. Employment requires a Type D issued for that purpose.
Which visa type do I need for a three-month language course?
Exactly 90 days or fewer — Type C. Longer — Type D from the country where you will study.
This guide reflects EU rules in force on 9 August 2026. National requirements for Type D visas vary — confirm details with the relevant consulate.
