Hold a valid passport if you are from a non-EU country or either a passport or identity card if you are an EU national. Ensure your passport is valid and will not expire within 3 months of the end of your proposed dates of travel within Europe. Check with your country's embassy for specific passport requirements.
Find out if your nationality requires you to apply for a Schengen visa. Nationals from countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia do not need to apply for a visa before entering Europe and can be granted a visa upon entry to the country.
Enter your first European country of travel if you are not required to apply for a visa before arrival. The visa you receive will be your Schengen visa and can be used in other EU countries.
Apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you will spend the most time in or visit first on your trip. Fill out and hand in a visa application form and your passport. Provide proof of residency, adequate funds for travel, travel insurance, itinerary or air ticket purchase and the visa fee, which differs between nationalities.
