Types of Schengen Visa Entry

Youcan apply for single, double, or multiple entries into the Schengen Area. You will find your number of permitted entries on your visa sticker.

3 Types of Entry

1. Single Entry – A single-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area only once in the 180-day period in which your visa is valid.

Single entry will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries 1."

2. Double Entry – A double-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area up to two times in the 180-day period in which your visa is valid.

Double entry will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries 2.”

3. Multi-Entry – A multi-entry Schengen visa allows you to cross an external Schengen border to enter the Schengen Area multiple times in the period in which your visa is valid.

Multiple entries will be indicated on your visa sticker like this: “Number of Entries MULT.”

More on Multi-Entry Schengen Visas

General Requirements

According to Article 21(5) of Regulation 810/2009 (Visa Code), you may be eligible for a multi-entry Schengen visa if you prove:

•           “the need or justify the intention to travel frequently and/or regularly,”

•           “your integrity and reliability, in particular the lawful use of previous uniform visas or visas with limited territorial validity,”

•           “your economic situation in the country of origin,” and

•           “your genuine intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa for which you have applied.”

If you are deemed eligible for a multi-entry Schengen visa, you can expect your Schengen visa to be valid for a period between 6 months and 5 years. The validity period depends on the issuing state’s regulations and your qualifications.

History of the Schengen Area

If you’re not at all familiar with the Schengen Area (or the Schengen Zone, as it’s sometimes called), here’s what you need to know:

In 1985, five European Union (EU) countries pledged to eliminate internal border controls. Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement, and the Schengen Area was born.

Five years later, these countries signed again to officially implement the agreement, and in 1995 border controls between the nations were effectively abolished.

Named after the village in Luxembourg where its borders meet those of Germany and France, the Schengen Agreement cemented the rights of Schengen-country nationals and EU citizens to travel freely within the participating area countries.

Today, 26 Schengen countries (Schengen states) make up the Schengen Area, which sees about 1.25 billion visits each year from Europeans alone.