In addition to the Basic Required Documents, to apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa, you will need to supply proof of your spouse’s nationality as well as proof of your marriage to him or her, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Copy of your spouse’s passport and/or;
• Copy of your spouse’s national ID card.
• Copy of your marriage certificate (to your E.U. spouse) from both your spouse’s country and your own.
• Letter from the spouse stating the purpose and duration of travel and respective address of stay in the Schengen state(s).

How to Apply

Determine the Schengen country where you will be spending the most time on your trip. You will apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa through that country’s consulate.

Determine how many “Entries” to the Schengen area you need.

Select “Other”, as the purpose for travelling. There is additional space for you to provide further information as to your reason for travel. Under “Family Relationship with an EU Citizen”, select “Spouse”.

Gather your Basic Required Documents, as well as the documents required for your European Spouse Schengen Visa.

Schedule an interview appointment (if applicable). Depending on the location of the consulate/embassy or visa centre you are applying through, you may have to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application. Alternatively, you may be able to drop off your application without prior arrangement, so long as you do so during normal operating hours. Contact your consulate/embassy directly to find out if you need to schedule an appointment in order to submit your application.

Fill out your application. Different countries provide different ways of accessing applications-you might have to use an online application portal or fill out a print-application by hand.

Do NOT pay the application fee. Please note, spouses of European citizens are generally exempt from the standard Schengen visa fee for adults (80 Euros). However, if you are applying through a visa service provider, you will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application. This is a separate cost from the visa fee, and something spouses of EU citizens are not exempt from.

Submit your application. Different consulates/embassies and visa centers have different procedures for submitting applications. In most cases, applications must be submitted in person wherever you are applying. When you submit your application, you will likely also be asked to submit your fingerprints.

When to Apply

You should apply for a Schengen Visa at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

You should apply for the European Spouse Schengen Visa through the consulate of the country you are travelling to in the Schengen area.
If you are travelling to multiple countries in the Schengen area, you should apply through the consulate of the state in which you will spend the most time. And in case you plan to spend an equal period of time in those multiple countries, and then you need to apply at the embassy, the consulate or the associated Visa Application Centre of the country where you will arrive first.

Processing Time

The processing time for a European Spouse Schengen Visa is generally about two weeks (15 days). In rarer cases, consulates can take anywhere from 30-60 days to render a decision on an application.