Schengen visa requirements and application for Filipinos: Travel guide

💳 Get your free digital card

Filipinos heading to any of the 29 Schengen visa countries for a visit of up to 90 days will usually need to submit a Schengen visa application before travelling. You’ll need to apply through the country that’s your main destination, and prepare documents like your passport, itinerary, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and financial proof, often called show money in the Philippines.

This guide walks through Schengen visa requirements for Filipinos, including where to apply, visa fees, photo requirements, show money for Schengen visa applications and tips for spending abroad with Wise. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

🚀 Get your Wise card

What is the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa allows non-EU nationals to visit a country - or multiple countries - in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period¹. Schengen visa validity is set at 90 days in a 180 day window for the single and multiple entry visa options.

There are 3 types of Schengen visa:

• Single-entry Schengen visa - to enter the Schengen area once only
• Multiple-entry Schengen visa - to come and go in and out of the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid
• Schengen airport transit visa - to transit flights only. This visa does not let you leave the airport

Countries included in the Schengen visa

At the time of research there are 29 countries included in the Schengen visa. While these countries can change over time, the visa currently applies to the following:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

As you’ll see, this list includes many EU countries, but not all. Plus, there are some countries which aren’t EU members which are in the Schengen area. Check that all the countries you intend to visit are covered by Schengen, as some are notably left off the list - such as the UK.

*Details correct at time of research - 2nd June 2025

Do Filipinos need a visa to visit the Schengen area?

Yes. Filipinos need a visa to visit the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days, usually for tourist or business purposes. Different visas are needed if you intend to work or study in a particular country.

Schengen visa requirements for Filipinos

You’ll need to apply for your Schengen visa following the process of the country you’re heading to in Europe. This means that the exact steps you take can vary depending on your plans.

Generally, the Schengen visa requirements for Filipinos mean you need to show your passport, proof you can pay for yourself in Europe, and also evidence to show you’re planning on leaving once your visa expires. There’s also a Schengen visa fee to pay.

Show money for Schengen visa Filipino applicants: how much to prepare

There’s no single fixed show money amount for all Schengen visa applications. Instead, Filipino applicants need to show they have enough money to cover their trip, based on the country they’re applying to, how long they’ll stay, where they’ll sleep and whether someone else is sponsoring the trip.

For Schengen visa applications, this is usually called proof of financial means or means of subsistence. You may need to provide recent bank statements, a bank certificate, payslips, proof of employment, business documents or sponsor documents, depending on your situation and the country handling your application.

As a rough guide, these are some country-specific reference amounts used for short stays:

Your show money should match your itinerary. A 7-day trip with paid accommodation will usually need less proof of funds than a 30-day trip across several cities. Avoid large last-minute deposits that don’t match your usual account activity, as embassies may look at whether your funds are stable and realistic.

Before you apply, check the latest checklist from the embassy, consulate or visa application centre of your main destination country. Requirements can differ across Schengen countries.

Is there a Schengen work visa?

The Schengen visa is not a work visa. It’s intended for short term visits for tourist purposes mainly. If you intend to work in Europe you’ll need to follow the work visa application process of the specific country you’re going to.

How to apply for a Schengen visa as a Filipino

Because the Schengen visa is a visa for a whole block of countries, rather than a single country, the process to apply for a Schengen visa as a Filipino might look a little bit different to other applications you’ve submitted in the past. Here’s an outline - bear in mind that the specific process used by one country may not be exactly the same as another. This means you’ll need to read the instructions carefully based on the country you’re applying to.

Step 1 - Decide how to apply

The Schengen area covers many different countries, so first you’ll need to work out which embassy you need to work with, to make your application. There’s not one single easiest Schengen visa for Filipinos - the details of where you apply depend on the country or countries you want to go to.

• If you’re going to only one country, you’ll apply at the consulate of the country you intend to visit.
• If you’re visiting more than 1 Schengen country you must apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time.
• If you’re visiting several Schengen countries for stays of equal length you will have to apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit.

Step 2 - Gather your documents

The documents needed for your application - and the process you follow - might vary a little depending on the embassy or consulate which handles your application. Usually you must provide:

• Your valid passport which must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date of your departure from the Schengen area
• Your completed visa application form²
• A recent passport photo
• Medical insurance covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
• Supporting documents which depend on why you are travelling

The documents you need to prepare to make your application depend on the purpose of your stay in the Schengen area. You may need to show bank statements as evidence of your financial means, and details of your planned accommodation during your stay. Some visitors must also provide proof they’ll leave the Schengen area after their visa expires - such as proof of your job here in the Philippines, and an onward return flight ticket.

Step 3 - Make your application

The steps needed to submit your application depend on the country you’re going to. In many cases you can at least start the process online by filling in the country’s application form, and uploading documents. In some locations you need to complete the application in person, either at the embassy of the country you apply to, or at a visa application service center which they operate. Your fingerprints will be collected when you submit your application.

The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days, but you can start your application at any time in the 6 months before you plan to travel.

Step 4 - Receive your Schengen visa

Once your visa has been approved you’ll be notified following the processes of the embassy you applied through.

Schengen visa application fees

The Schengen visa application fees which are set by the EC are as follows:

• 90 EUR for adults
• 45 EUR for children aged 6-12

If you’re applying through a visa service centre - a requirement in some destination countries - there may also be an additional service fee added. Check all the details before you start your application, with the country you’re applying to.

Travelling to Europe? Get more out of every peso when you make payments abroad with the Wise card

Once your Schengen visa is approved, you’ll need a convenient way to spend in Europe, whether that’s in euros, Danish kroner, Swedish kronor or another local currency.

With the Wise card, you can spend abroad with low, transparent conversion fees and the mid-market exchange rate. That can help you manage your travel budget without relying only on airport exchange counters or carrying all your money in cash.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including USD, SGD, GBP, and JPY so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up PHP to get started.

A physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 369.60 PHP. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 12,000 PHP each month, before low fees start.

In supported countries, Wise also lets you pay with QR codes, giving you another easy way to pay when cards or cash aren't your first choice. That means you can use Wise for card payments, cash withdrawals, and QR payments, all from the same account.

While abroad, you can choose to spend directly in PHP and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.57%. A cheaper and easier way to spend foreign currency.

💳 Get your Wise card today

Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

---

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the Schengen visa application form?

You can find the Schengen visa application form here, but it’s also worth checking the process based on the country you’re going to. Some countries have a fully digital application stage which allows you to submit your information directly into their system, rather than on a different form.

What are the Schengen visa photo requirements and size?

The Schengen visa photo size is 35 - 40mm in width³. Your head must take up the majority of the photo, and you need to be looking directly at the camera with your eyes open. You may wear glasses but they must not reflect the light in the image.

How long does a Schengen visa application in the Philippines take?

You can apply for your Schengen visa in the Philippines up to 6 months before you intend to travel. The normal processing time is 15 days, but this can not be guaranteed, so submitting your application early is a smart plan.

---

Do check respective bank websites for the latest information and promotions

Wise Pilipinas is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For any questions or concerns, check out our Help Centre, or log into your account to talk to us by phone, email or chat.

---

Sources:

1. European Commission - Schengen visa
2. Schengen visa application form
3. Schengen visa photo requirements