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If you have a relative in Europe, you can apply for a Schengen visa to visit them. This guide covers the ordinary short-stay family visit visa for citizens who need one, such as Indian and Nigerian passport holders: who can invite you, what to submit, what it costs and how to apply. It also explains the separate, more favourable rules that apply to family members of EU citizens who live in another EU country. Those are covered in our EU family member visa guide.
Which rules apply to you?
| Your situation | Rules that apply |
|---|---|
| Visiting a sibling, parent, cousin or friend who lives in Europe (any nationality) | Ordinary Schengen short-stay visa, covered in this guide |
| Joining a spouse or child who is an EU citizen living in a different EU country from their own | EU free-movement rules, with easier conditions |
| Spouse or parent who is a citizen of the country they live in | That country’s national family rules, not the EU free-movement rules |
Do you need a visa to visit family?
| Your passport | Visiting family in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days |
|---|---|
| UK, US, Canada, Australia | No visa needed, within 90 days in any 180-day period. A host letter is still useful if border officers ask about your stay |
| India | Schengen short-stay visa, as in this guide |
| Nigeria | Schengen short-stay visa, as in this guide |
Key facts
- The Schengen Area has 29 countries, and one visa covers all of them for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12. The older €80 figure is out of date.
- Medical insurance of at least €30,000 is required.
- A decision usually comes within 15 calendar days.
Documents for a family visit
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least 3 months after you leave, issued within the last 10 years, two blank pages |
| Application form and photos | Signed form and photos that meet the Schengen standard |
| Invitation letter | From your host, with their address, ID and residence permit or citizenship proof, and the reason and dates of the visit. Some countries use an official form |
| Proof of relationship | Birth certificate, marriage certificate or other documents showing how you are related |
| Host’s accommodation proof | Tenancy agreement or utility bill, and the host’s recent payslips |
| Your own funds | 3 to 6 months of statements, even if your host will pay for the stay |
| Ties to your home country | Employer letter and approved leave, business documents, or school letter |
| Insurance and flights | €30,000 cover and a return flight reservation |
Certified translations may be needed for documents not in English or the destination language. See our translation guide.
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How to apply
- Apply to the country where your relative lives, or the main country of your stay.
- Ask your host to prepare the invitation letter and supporting papers.
- Complete the application form and gather your own documents.
- Book an appointment with the embassy or its visa application centre and attend for biometrics.
- Pay the €90 fee and wait for the decision.
A worked example
This is an illustration, not a real case. A teacher in Lagos wants to visit her brother in Germany for three weeks. Her brother is a permanent resident there and sends an invitation letter with his address, a copy of his residence permit, a tenancy agreement and three recent payslips. She adds proof of their relationship, her own six months of bank statements, an employer letter confirming approved leave, a return flight reservation and insurance of at least €30,000. She applies about two months before travel. Because she shows her own income and a job to return to, the file does not depend only on her brother’s money.
A teacher with a UK passport making the same trip would not need the visa, but would keep the same host papers and return ticket to hand at the border.
Common reasons family visit applications fail
- Relying only on the host’s finances and showing no income of your own.
- Long stays that do not fit your leave from work.
- Weak proof of ties to your home country, especially for first-time travellers.
- Relationship documents that do not match names or dates on the form.
The Schengen refusal grounds and the application checklist explain how to avoid each one.
Frequently asked questions
Does an invitation letter guarantee approval?
No. It supports your application, but the officer still decides on your funds, ties and travel plan.
Can I stay longer than 90 days with family?
Not on a short-stay visa. Longer stays need a national visa or residence permit from that country.
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Is the fee waived for family members?
Not for an ordinary family visit. The fee is waived only for family members of EU citizens who use their free-movement rights, and each country handles this differently.
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