5 things Nigeria Needs To Know About The Schengen Visa Before Applying

1. The Schengen visa allows you to move freely between 27 Schengen area countries.

The Schengen area member states are:

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

Still waiting on fully approval for Romania and Bulgaria.

2. Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all travelers who plan to visit any of the Schengen area countries and that the minimum coverage is EUR 30,000. Also, travel medical insurance is valid for all Schengen area countries.

3. Short stay visa – allows you to visit Schengen countries for tourism, business or if you want to visit your relatives up to 90 days within a 180 days period from the date of first entry.

> Transit visa – used for transiting through the international parts of airports.

> Long stay visa – issued for stays exceeding 3 months.

4. No, you don’t have to go into the Schengen Area through the country that gave you your visa. You can enter through another Schengen country, though it's good to visit the country that issued your visa at some point during your trip.

5. You can fly European airlines (KLM, Lufthansa, Airfrance,Air Portugal) only if you have a Schengen visa, an EU resident permit, a US or Canada visa/passport,UK passport (not visa) and  Non-EU individuals from eligible countries who are not required to obtain a visa for travel of 90 days or less.

Tips

• You actually don't pay for that insurance in 30,000€ cash. You pay for that package or coverage and it depends on the number of days you want to spend in a Schengen area! Example you want to spend a week , you may pay 100€ for an insurance of 30,000€.

• No 4 is incorrect. You have to visit the country that granted the Schengen first then you can then move freely in other countries. This can cause your  deportation if you’re unlucky!

• Romania and Bulgaria are also halfway part of schengen now.

• Always double check these things with your travel agent before you lose your money as it depends on a whole lot of things! Countries in the Schengen Area Scheme will allow you to use any Schengen Visa for any country in that scheme, but some of the countries have excluded themselves for some reason and require their country specific schengen visa e.g the Netherlands!

• Never try Schengen for now, I heard there is internal embargo against nigeria passport holders. There is need wasting your money and time at the end of the refusal. Do your research thoroughly first.