Navigating European Visas: Difference between Schengen & National Visa

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Europe travel is internationally governed by the directives of the Schengen Agreement and is facilitated by the Schengen Area Visa. A Schengen Visa can be a single-country visa or a territorial visa, depending on your destination and purpose of travel. The European Economic Community (EEC) is the governing body that regulates the immigration rules for the Schengen Area, which was formed to restore peace and harmony between different nations.

As a part of their peacemaking efforts, five of the ten EEC countries signed the Schengen Agreement in 1985 to facilitate visa-free travel among the member nations. Today, the Schengen region includes 29 countries.

However, a foreign visitor from a non-member country must get a Schengen visa to enter any country. Based on the duration and purpose of your European visit, you can apply for either Schengen Area Visas– Schengen, National, or LTV visas.

This article will guide you through all the types of Schengen visa for tourists and their differences.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a uniform visa that allows travel within the 29 Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within 180 days. It can be issued as a tourism visa, a visa for short stays in Europe, or a business visa in the Schengen Area.

Given below are the salient features of this tourism visa for Europe:

• It allows travel within the 29 Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within 180 days for travel, business, or a temporary visit to family or friends.
• It is a uniform visa valid for all Schengen countries.
• You can apply for this visa if you are travelling for short stays.

What is a European National Visa?

The National Visa, more commonly known as the Type D visa, is a national permit authorised by the immigration authority of a particular country in the Schengen region. This type of visa is valid for over 90 days in a specific Schengen country and is typically approved as a study, work, or permanent residence (PR) visa.

Given below are the salient features of this type of National long-term visa:

• This visa allows stays beyond 90 days in a specific Schengen country.
• The National long-term visa is valid only for the country that issues it, though it may enable transit through other Schengen countries.
• The purpose behind issuing a Type D visa is study, work, or long-term residence.

Differences Between Schengen and National Visa

Given below are the broad differences between the Schengen Visa and National Visa:

Which Type of Visa should I apply for when visiting Europe?

Depending on the purpose of your stay in Europe, you may decide on the type of visa to apply for.

• A Schengen Visa is issued for up to 90 days within 180 days for recreational trips, business, or short visits to family or friends (short stays).
• On the other hand, a National (Type D) Visa is issued for a trip that extends beyond 90 days for study, work, or a long-term residence permit.

Accordingly, you should decide between the two types of European visas.

Which Type of Visa Should We Apply for When Visiting Multiple Schengen Countries?

A Schengen Visa is appropriate for visiting multiple Schengen countries. Since it is valid in all 29 Schengen Area countries and for up to 90 days within 180 days, it is more practical to apply for this type of visa than to individually apply for national visas from multiple countries.

Can I use a National Visa to travel to any Schengen Country?

No. A National Visa (Type D) does not allow transit through other Schengen countries. It is limited to the particular issuing Schengen country. However, another type of Schengen visa is called a Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV), which is issued by a specific Schengen country and allows travel to several countries mentioned on the visa sticker. 

What is a Limited Territorial Validity Visa?

Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) Visa is a type of Schengen visa that allows “limited” entry to the Schengen region. Unlike a uniform Schengen visa, a limited territorial visa provides access to more than one Schengen country, but not all. Here are the salient features of LTV Visa:

• Area of Validity: Valid only in the issuing Schengen country or specific countries mentioned on the visa sticker.
• Specific Purpose Travel: Granted in exceptional cases, such as humanitarian reasons, national interest, or when a country cannot issue a regular Schengen Visa for particular reasons.
• Restrictions: Does not allow entry into other Schengen countries.
• Difference from Schengen: Unlike a regular Schengen Visa, an LTV limits travel within the Schengen Area.
• Usage: This is used when a full Schengen Visa cannot be granted, but entry to a specific country is necessary or justified.

Important Update Regarding Increase in Schengen Visa Charges

With effect from 11 June 2024, the EEC has raised the fee for a Schengen visa. The old and new Schengen visa fees are given below: 

• Schengen visa fees for adults: From € 80 to € 90; and 
• Schengen visa fees for children aged 6 to 12: From € 40 to € 45 

However, the Schengen Visa Charges under other visa facilitation agreements remain the same, i.e., € 35.

You are now familiar with the types of European visas: the National Visa, Limited Territorial Validity Visa, and the Schengen Visa.

Based on the duration and purpose of your travel, you can choose between the two types of visa for your European trip. Besides, you must plan for your emergency expenses, such as medical and non-medical costs incurred during your European trip. For that, you need to have a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

Preplan Your Europe Trip with European Travel Insurance

Before embarking on your trip to Europe, you must ensure that your trip is insured under an affordable travel insurance policy exclusively designed for European travel. 

Such a travel insurance plan covers your trip for a certain duration of your European stay. When choosing such a plan, you must ensure it provides coverage against expenses incurred due to personal liability. 

Disclaimer: Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of health concerns.