Schengen rules have changed in the last year, and some of what is still published about them is wrong. This guide sets out what applies to Nigerian applicants now: the countries covered, the fee, the new border system, the planned digital visa, and how to avoid the mistakes behind the high refusal rate. In 2024, 45.9% of Nigerian Schengen applications were refused, up from 40.8% in 2023.
The rules at a glance
| Topic | Current position |
|---|---|
| Countries in the area | 29, including Bulgaria and Romania (full members since 1 January 2025) |
| Visa fee | €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12. The older €80 fee no longer applies |
| Insurance | At least €30,000 medical cover for the whole stay |
| Decision time | Usually within 15 calendar days; longer if the file needs more checks |
| Stay limit | 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Entry/Exit System (EES) | Rolled out from October 2025 and operating at all external borders since April 2026 |
| Digital Schengen visa | Planned to become operational gradually from 2028. Not available now |
Update 1: the Entry/Exit System is live
The EES is a digital border register for non-EU travellers. At the Schengen border you are registered once, with your passport details, a face image and fingerprints. After that, entries and exits are logged automatically, and manual passport stamping ends.
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- Your first crossing takes longer because of the registration. Arrive early and do not book a tight connection.
- Overstays are now detected automatically, so count your days. A single overstay can lead to a refusal on later applications.
- Keep your return ticket, insurance and accommodation proof in your hand luggage, as border officers can still ask for them.
Update 2: the digital visa is still years away
The EU has adopted rules for an online visa platform where applicants can apply and pay online and receive a signed digital barcode in place of the sticker. The platform is due to go live gradually from 2028. Until then you still apply through the embassy or its visa application centre. When it does arrive, first-time applicants will still need to attend in person to give biometrics. Be wary of any website that sells a “Schengen e-visa” today.
Update 3: where you apply depends on the country
There is no single application centre for all Schengen countries. Some embassies take applications directly, some use VFS Global or TLScontact, and some are represented by another country. For example, Sweden accepts Schengen applications on behalf of Slovakia in Abuja, and Dutch applications go through TLScontact centres. Always check your destination embassy’s own website, because this changes. See our country guides for the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Slovakia.
How to apply in 2026
- Choose the destination country. Apply to the country where you will spend the most days, or to the first country you enter if the stays are equal.
- Read that embassy’s checklist. Requirements differ between countries, so a Spain checklist is not a Germany checklist.
- Prepare your documents: passport valid at least 3 months after you leave, photos, insurance of €30,000 or more, flight reservation, accommodation, 3 to 6 months of bank statements, proof of work or business, and a leave letter.
- Book the appointment and attend for biometrics.
- Pay the €90 fee plus any service charge from the centre.
- Collect the passport and check the dates and number of entries on the sticker.
Apply 4 to 8 weeks before you travel. You can apply up to 6 months ahead, and not later than 15 calendar days before departure.
Why so many Nigerian applications are refused
The refusal form lists standard grounds. The ones that catch Nigerian applicants most often are an unclear purpose of stay, weak proof of funds, unreliable information, and doubt about whether the applicant will leave before the visa expires. Our full breakdown is in the Schengen refusal reasons guide, and the refusal rates by destination show how outcomes differ between countries. For the basics of the visa, start with the Schengen visa guide.
If you are refused
- Read the refusal form. It ticks the grounds that applied and says how and where to appeal.
- Decide whether to appeal or reapply. Appeal deadlines are short, often about 15 days, and the rules differ by country.
- If you reapply, fix the specific problem and submit new evidence. Sending the same file again rarely changes the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schengen visa fee €80 or €90?
€90 for adults. The €80 fee applied before the increase, and some older pages still quote it.
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Do I need ETIAS?
ETIAS is for travellers who do not need a visa. Nigerian citizens need a Schengen visa, so you apply for that instead.
Will EES affect my visa application?
No. It applies at the border, after the visa is issued. It does make overstays easy to detect.
Need help preparing a Schengen application? Chat with KP Visa & Travels.
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