Schengen visa and national visa compared
In brief
The Schengen visa concerns short stays, the national visa longer stays with a specific purpose. Which category applies to an application is decided by the competent mission.
Type of sources used
The basis is the short-stay calculator of the European Commission and the visa overview of the Federal Foreign Office.
Short stay
For short stays, the rule of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days generally applies.
Days are counted according to this rule; the European Commission provides a calculator for it.
National visa
For longer stays with a specific purpose, such as study, employment or family reunification, a national visa is foreseen.
Conditions and documents follow from the national law of the respective state.
Who determines the category
Which visa category applies to a purpose is decided by the competent mission on the basis of purpose and duration.
This website does not classify your case.
Questions about this page
- Can a short stay simply be extended?
- Periods of stay and their extension are decided by the competent authority. There is no general assurance.
- How do I know which category applies to me?
- Purpose and duration of the stay are decisive. The competent mission makes the classification.
Where to verify this authoritatively
Use the European Commission's short-stay calculator and the information of the Federal Foreign Office; the statement of the competent mission is binding.
Sources
- Short-stay calculator (90/180 rule)
- Publisher:
- European Commission
- Classification:
- Official source
- Scope:
- Calculation of permitted days of stay
- Reviewed on:
- Visa overview
- Publisher:
- Federal Foreign Office
- Classification:
- Official source
- Scope:
- Short stays and national visas at a glance
- Reviewed on:
Note
Neutral distinction without any determination of your personal visa type.