Schengen member states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
For further information refer to the European Commission website.
Short stay visa (C visa) is issued for transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. Schengen visa can be issued as single or multiple entry visa with period of validity up to five years.
An airport transit visa (A visa) is a type of Schengen visa that can be issued to allow a person to transit within the international area of an airport, from one flight to another, without entering the Schengen area.
The following third-country nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa when passing through one or more airports of the Schengen Area:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
In addition, citizens of certain countries must hold an airport transit visa when transiting through the international parts of airports situated in some of the Schengen States. List of individual Schengen States’ ATV requirements (European Commission website).
You shall be exempt from the airport transit visa requirement, if you:
- hold a valid visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state
- hold a visa valid for a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan or the United States
- hold a valid residence permit issued by a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area
- hold a residence permit issued by the Principality of Andorra, Canada, Japan, Republic of San Marino, or the United States, that guarantees unrestricted right of return
- are a family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland
- hold a diplomatic passport
- are a flight crew member national of a contracting party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
Application for a Schengen visa
While processing visa appications Estonian diplomatic missions and consular posts follow the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for the purpose of short stays and airport transit through the Schengen area set out in EU Visa Code.
According to the Council implementing decision (EU) 2021/1781 , the application of certain provisions of the Visa Code has been temporarily suspended for nationals of The Gambia.
You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country that you intend to visit:
- the Member State whose territory is the sole destination of the visit
- if the visit includes more than one destination, or if several separate visits are to be carried out within a period of two months, the Member State whose territory constitutes the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length of stay, counted in days, or the purpose of stay
- if the main destination cannot be determined, you must apply at the consulate of the country whose external border you will cross first when entering the Schengen area
- in the case of transit through only one Member State, the Member State concerned
- in the case of transit through several Member States, you must apply at the consulate of the country whose external border you will cross first when entering the Schengen area
- in the case of airport transit, the Member State in whose territory the airport is located or the Member State in whose territory the entry is located
As a general rule visa application is lodged in the residence country.
If your main country of destination is Estonia, you must apply for a visa at the Estonian representation or at the representation of the member state representing Estonia in issuing Schengen visas in your country of residency.
Estonian Honorary Consuls and consulates cannot process and grant visas.
If you are from country without an Estonian representation or alternative Schengen Member state who represents Estonia for visa processing, you may apply for a visa at any Estonian representation handling visa applications . Please consult the relevant Estonian representation before travelling there.
Appointment must be acquired for lodging an application. Appointments can be acquired on website. Every applicant, including minors, must have separate appointment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia cooperates for the purpose of receiving visa applications with external service providers in 15 countries (Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America). The service contracts are concluded with VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd (“VFS Global”).
All visa applications must be submitted in person.
If necessary, the consular officer may carry out an interview with the applicant, during the examination of his/her application by phone or invite him/her for a personal interview at the consulate.
However, a consulate may, in justified cases, request additional documents during the examination of an application which are not mentioned in the harmonised list published locally.
Your biometric identifiers will be collected at the same time - a photograph, scanned or taken at the time of lodging and 10 fingerprints, digitally scanned. Fingerprints are not taken if the fingerprints were given in connection with a previous visa application less than 59 months ago.
The following applicants are exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints:
- children under the age of 12
- persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible
- Heads of State or Government and Members of a National Government with accompanying spouses, as well as members of official delegations when they are invited by Member State´s Governments or by International Organizations for official purposes
- Sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, when they are invited by Member State´s Governments or by International Organizations for official purposes
The application must, in principle, be submitted to the consulate at least 15 days before the intended journey and cannot be lodged earlier than six months before (9 months, if applicant is a seafarer) the start of the intended journey.
As a general rule, a decision is taken by the consulate within 15 days from the date the application has been considered admissible.
This period may, in individual cases, be extended up to 45 days, if a more detailed examination of your application and/or additional documents are required.
Some Schengen States require that they be consulted on visa applications submitted to other Schengen States by citizens of certain countries. The consultation process may take up to seven calendar days. Such consultation is currently required for nationals of the countries listed here
When collecting your passport always check the data on the visa sticker.
If the conditions for issuing a visa are not met, the visa will be refused. A decision to refuse a visa and the grounds for the decision will be supplied on a decision form, which complies with the EU Visa Code.
The visa that has already been granted to you will be annulled if the conditions for issuing it were not met at the time when it was issued.
The visa that has already been granted to you will be revoked if the conditions for issuing it are no longer met.
Harmonized lists of supporting documents are used in certain countries to specify what supporting documents must be presented when applying for a Schengen visa.
Below is general guidance on document requirements:
- Schengen visa application form. The form must be filled in online, printed and signed. In case of minors, the application form should be signed by the parent holding parental responsibility or legal guardian
- travel document (passport). Travel document must be issued within last 10 years, must be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from Schengen area and must include at least two free pages intended for affixing visas
Check the list of travel documents which entitle the holder to cross the external borders and which may be endorsed with a visa (European Commission website)
- photograph
- travel medical insurance with coverage at least 30,000 Euros. Insurance must be valid in all Schengen Member States and it must cover at least first planned trip to the Schengen area. Following applicants are exempted from providing insurance: holders of diplomatic passports; family members of EU/EEA Member States citizens or Swiss citizens or UK nationals under the Withdrawal Agreement who meet the requirements in Directive 2004/38/EC; Airport transit visa applicants
- when minors are not travelling with both parents, or are travelling with a third person or alone, a travel authorization of one or both parents respectively, is required
- if the state fee has been paid by bank transfer, a payment order proving the payment of the state fee
- supporting documents:
- indicating the purpose of the journey
- in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover the cost of accommodation
- indicating that the applicant possesses sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to his country of origin or residence. The extent of sufficient financial means for each day of stay in Estonia is 70 euros.
Documents indicating the purpose of the journey may include the following:
For business trips:
- an invitation from a firm or an authority to attend meetings, conferences or events connected with trade, industry or work
- other documents which show the existence of trade relations or relations for work purposes
- entry tickets for fairs and congresses, if appropriate
- documents proving the business activities of the company
- documents proving the applicant’s employment status in the company
For journeys undertaken for the purposes of study or other types of training:
- a certificate of enrolment at an educational establishment for the purposes of attending vocational or theoretical courses within the framework of basic and further training
- student cards or certificates of the courses to be attended
For journeys undertaken for the purposes of tourism or for private reasons:
- documents relating to accommodation:
- an invitation from the host if staying with one
- a document from the establishment providing accommodation or any other appropriate document indicating the accommodation envisaged
- documents relating to the itinerary:
- confirmation of the booking of an organised trip or any other appropriate document indicating the envisaged travel plans
- in the case of transit: visa or other entry permit for the third country of destination; tickets for onward journey
For journeys undertaken for political, scientific, cultural, sports or religious events or other reasons:
- invitation, entry tickets, enrolments or programmes stating (wherever possible) the name of the host organisation and the length of stay or any other appropriate document indicating the purpose of the journey
For journeys of members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the government of the third country concerned, participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of a Member State by intergovernmental organisations:
- a letter issued by an authority of the third country concerned confirming that the applicant is a member of the official delegation travelling to a Member State to participate in the abovementioned events, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation
For journeys undertaken for medical reasons:
- an official document of the medical institution confirming necessity for medical care in that institution and proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment
Documentation allowing for the assessment of the applicatnt´s intention to leave the territory of the Memeber States:
- reservation of or return or round ticket
- proof of financial means in the country of residence
- proof of employment: bank statements
- proof of real estate property
- proof of integration into the country of residence: family ties; professional status
Documentation in relation to the applivcant´s family situation:
- consent of parental authority or legal guardian (when a minor does not travel with them)
- proof of family ties with the host/inviting person
Harmonized lists of supporting documents in countries where Schengen visa applications are processed by Estonian representations
A visa application is admissible when the following conditions are met:
- the application is lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended journey but not earlier than six months (9 months, if applicant is a seafarer) before the start of the intended journey;
- the applicant has submitted an application form
- the applicant has presented a valid travel document which:
- is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa
- contains at least two blank pages for affixing visas and
- is issued within previous 10 years
- the applicant has submitted a photograph
- the applicant´s biometric data have been collected
- the visa fee has been collected
Visa fee is to be paid for processing the visa application. The payment of the fee does not imply granting of the visa, nor does it entail refund in case of refusal.
Service fee will be charged when submitting the application at the offices of the external service provider.
All fees must be paid in full when a visa application is submitted.
Estonian representations accept bank transfers paid in advance (see below). When paying the state fee from a bank outside Estonia, it may take up to 2 weeks for the funds to be received.
| Schengen visa | 90 Euros |
|
Children 6-11 years |
45 Euros |
| Children under 6 years | No fee |
| Schengen visa for citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine (EU visa facilitation agreements) | 35 Euros |
| Schengen urgent visa for citizens of Belarus and Ukraine (EU visa facilitation agreements) | 70 Euros |
|
Schengen visa for citizens of Cabo Verde |
|
Following applicants are exempted from paying the visa fee:
- children below six years of age
- pupils, students and post-graduate students travelling for the purpose of studying or in-service training, and teachers accompanying them
- researchers travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research as defined in Recommendation 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
- representatives of a non-profit association who are below 25 years of age and who participate in a seminar, conference, sports, cultural or educational event organised by the non-profit association
- a spouse, registered partner, minor child and adult child of an Estonian citizen, who due to health condition or disability is not able to cope independently, if they travel to an Estonian citizen or with an Estonian citizen
- family members of EU/EEA Member States citizens or Swiss citizens or UK nationals under the Withdrawal Agreement, if they enjoy the right of free movement under European Union law (who meet the requirements in Directive 2004/38/EC)
- persons who enter Estonia by invitation of the President of the Republic, a member of the Board of the Riigikogu, a member of the Government of the Republic, the Chancellor of Justice, the Auditor General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Commander of the Defence Forces for the promotion of substantiated cultural interests, foreign policy, development policy or other significant public interest or for humanitarian considerations
- persons in the cases prescribed by a resolution of the Government of the Republic, an international agreement entered into by the Government of the Republic or legislation of the European Union or an international obligation or pursuant to international custom
- citizens of certain countries can be exempted from paying the visa fee according to visa facilitation agreements
Payment of the state fee by bank transfer
If you pay by bank transfer, please indicate in the payment order:
The beneficiary: Estonian Ministry of Finance
Bank accounts of Estonian Ministry of Finance are:
| Name of the bank | Account number | BIC/SWIFT |
|---|---|---|
| SEB Pank | EE891010220034796011 | EEUHEE2X |
| Swedbank | EE932200221023778606 | HABAEE2X |
| Luminor Bank AS | EE701700017001577198 | RIKOEE22 |
| LHV Pank | EE777700771003813400 | LHVBEE22 |
Reference number: 2900073630
It is obligatory to use reference number when making payment to the account of Estonian Ministry of Finance. If it is not possible to enter the reference number on the payment order of a foreign country, the reference number must be entered in the clarification field.
Clarification of the payment: Review of visa applications, first name and surname of the applicant
For more information on international transfers, consult your own bank’s website.
For information on refunding of overpaid or incorrectly paid state fee, please visit this website
If you submit visa application at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), you will find information necessary for paying the state fee (including the reference number) on the home page of PBGB.
Pursuant to EU law, citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) are third-country nationals as of 1 January 2021. The residence of UK citizens and their family members who have resided in Estonia under EU law will continue to be regulated by the Citizen of the European Union Act with the specifications set forth in the Withdrawal Agreement. The family members of UK citizens living in Estonia will also be able to join a UK citizen living in Estonia on the same conditions as before.
Member States shall grant third-country nationals who are family members of citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (under the Withdrawal Agreement) – hereinafter referred to as the EU citizens - who are covered by Directive 2004/38/EC, all facilities for obtaining Schengen visa.
The directive 2004/38/EC (consolidated version) shall apply to all those Union citizens who move or reside in a Member State other than that of which they are national, and to their family members who accompany or join them.
The following persons are EU citizens family members, as defined by the Directive:
- the spouse
- the partner with whom the Union citizen has contracted a registered partnership, on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant legislation of the host Member State
- the direct descendants who are under the age of 21 or are dependants and those of the spouse or partner as defined above; or
- the dependent direct relatives in the ascending line and those of the spouse or partner as defined above
A dependent person is deemed to be a person who is living in common household with an EU citizen and who has no separate income.
A household member is deemed to be a person who is living in common household with an EU citizen and who has separate income.
Important notice: The facilitated procedure does not apply to family members of Estonian citizens, unless they live in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
You may be entitled to an accelerated visa procedure free of charge if as you meet the following criteria:
- you are a family member of EU citizen; and
- that EU citizen is travelling to or is residing in a Member State other than that of which he/she is a citizen; and
- you are accompanying the EU citizen or planning to join him/her in the Schengen State of destination
If you think you are entitled to an accelerated visa procedure you will need to show proof that you meet these criteria when you submit your visa application.
Should you be considered beneficiary the Directive 2004/38/EC documents to be submitted upon visa application:
- Schengen visa application form. The form must be filled in online, printed and signed. In case of minors, the application form should be signed by the parent holding parental responsibility or legal guardian
- travel document (passport)
- photograph
- when minors are not travelling with both parents, or are travelling with a third person or alone, a travel authorization of one or both parents respectively, is required
- documentation proving that you are a family member of an EU citizen accoridng to the Directive 2004/38/EC: marriage certificate, certificate of registration of partnership, birth certificate or other official documentation
- consular officer may ask for, when needed, a copy of the passport of the relative who is EU citizen
- you may be required to provide additional documents proving that Estonia is the country that you intend to visit and that you are lodging the applicaton at the consulate in your country of residency
- the document needs to be legalized or certified with an apostille certificate, if an international agreement does not foresee otherwise
Additional information
The EU has visa facilitation agreements in place with some non-EU countries.
Facilitated procedures for issuing visas include:
- a simplification of the supporting documents needed
- reduced or no fees for certain categories of applicants
- faster processing times for visa applications
- provisions on issuing multiple-entry visas with an extended validity
The EU can suspend visa facilitation agreements when a non-EU country no longer satisfies the conditions of the agreement. The general rules of the EU visa code then apply.
Suspensions can be triggered by an EU member state or by the European Commission. Currently two agreements are suspended:
- Russia (full suspension of facilitation agreement)
- Belarus (partial suspension of facilitation agreement)
Visa facilitation agreements (European Commission website)
For the Schengen short stay visa, the European Commission website has created a calculator that can help you check how many days are left on your visa
Reminder: the total length of your stay must not exceed a total of 90 days within any 180-day period.
Your short stay visa does not automatically entitle you to enter the Schengen area. You are requested to present proof that you fulfil the entry conditions at the external border, as provided in the Schengen Border Code (consolidated version). For instance, you have to provide information on your means of support, how long you intend to stay in the Schengen State, and why you are visiting the Schengen State.In some cases, such checks may result in a refusal for the visa holder to enter the Schengen State or the Schengen area.
For more information, see also questions about crossing the border on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.
Schengen visa applicants may submit complaints about the conduct of the consulate staff, the external service provider or the visa application process.
A complaint can be submitted to the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by e-mail: [email protected].
Important notice: It is not possible to lodge complaint against refusal, annulment or revocation of a visa to this e-mail, in such cases an appeal should be lodged. For information on appeal procedures, please visit this website.
What is VIS?
In order to process visa applications for short-stays in Schengen countries, a central register of personal data contained in the visa form, fingerprints and facial images of visa applicants has been established in the European Union.
Visa Information System (VIS) on the webpage of European Commission.
What is SIS?
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is the most widely used and largest information sharing system for security and border management in Europe. As there are no internal borders between Schengen countries in Europe, SIS compensates for border controls and is the most successful cooperation tool for border, immigration, police, customs and judicial authorities in the EU and the Schengen associated countries.
Schengen Information System (SIS) on the webpage of European Commission.
Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate monitors whether the authorities comply with regulations when processing and collecting data.
If you want to find out which data concerning you has been included in the VIS or SIS, or request data relating to you which are inaccurate to be corrected and the data unlawfully recorded to be deleted, you can submit a request to the Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate or the Police and Border Guard Board (the authority responsible for processing your data).
Contacts:
Data Protection Inspectorate - [email protected]
Police and Border Guard Board - [email protected]
For further information refer to the Estonian Data Protection Inspectorate website.