Travelling abroad can be expensive and the question of how much cash (or credit) to bring overseas can be difficult to answer. Travellers must take into consideration the cost of living in the country being visited and incidental expenses like outings to visit tourist attractions.
Arriving in a strange country with little or no money is not an ideal situation. This is why many European Union countries insist on visitors demonstrating they possess sufficient funding to cover a stay in their country. Proving evidence of sufficient funding and regular income is part of the Schengen Visa application process, and all visa applicants must be able to prove they possess sufficient funds to pay for the visit or have ready access to some form of funding.
While citizens of one European Union member country do not require any type of visa to enter another, this is not the case for many countries outside the European Union and Schengen Area Citizens of countries on a reciprocal visa-exemption list such as the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and (presently) the United Kingdom also require no visa to enter or travel through Europe so proof of income and funding is not an issue.
Non-EU nationals, and citizens of countries not on the visa-exemption list, will require a Schengen Visa to visit any of the Schengen Area member states which includes the vast majority of European Union countries. These applicants will need to provide proof of income and adequate funds for expenses while in the Schengen Area.
Income and Funds
The Schengen Visa application form covers many topics and amongst these are the applicants employment status. While being in employment is not a prerequisite to securing a visa it is of benefit as employed applicants are adjudged to be more reliable and less likely to overstay the time limit of the visa.
Proving regular income can be done in a number of ways depending on whether the visa applicant is:
- Employed
- Unemployed
- Self-employed
- Retired
The type of documentation verifying a steady source of income depends on the applicant’s employment status but will usually be one of the following:
- Employed: Travellers in permanent employment should be able to produce payslips covering the six months period prior to entering the European arena. In addition, the visa authorities may require a letter from the employer confirming employment as well as permission for the vacation.
- Unemployed: If currently unemployed, or working part-time, it will be necessary to provide documentary evidence of any government payments or benefits received in the preceding six months as well as copies of any earnings during the same period.
- Self-employed: The applicant must demonstrate that he or she is the owner of a legitimate business such as the business registration form. In addition, the most recent tax returns and proof of any salary or payment received may be requested.
- Retired: Copies of any pension payments received in the last six months will be necessary to demonstrate a regular income. If the pension (or pensions) are paid directly into a bank account then the most recent bank statements will be needed.
Regardless of employment status, or lack thereof, the visa officials are seeking verification that the visitor has a regular source of income and sufficient funding to finance the visit to the country. Any documentation that can show the necessary finances are in hand or readily available are invaluable in submitting a successful Schengen Visa application.
Visitors to the Schengen Area partaking in a short study course of less than ninety days duration should possess a Schengen Visa for Study and proof of finances will also be required in order to attain one. The application should clearly detail:
- Location and duration of the course
- Total cost of the course
- Cost of accommodation
- Estimate of expenses required
The student should explain or provide:
- Who is paying for the course and whether this payment has already been made
- If accommodation is provided as part of the course or is this a separate cost and who is paying for it
- A rough estimate of how much the student expects to need to cover day-to-day living expenses such as food and travel and how these costs will be covered
- A bank statement showing a sufficient balance to cover the entire cost of the course, accommodation and expenses might be necessary or a suitable alternative method of funding.
Bare Necessities
According to the laws of the European Union, visitors from third countries (citizens of countries outside the EU and Schengen Area) must be able to show adequate funding for any visit to Europe. This is termed the “means of subsistence” and forms of proof can include any, some, or all of the following:
- Currency
- Credit cards
- Recent bank statements
- Employment contract
- Receipts for booked accommodation
- Payslips
- Social welfare payments
- Pension statements
These are standard requirements that must accompany an application for a Schengen Visa, but there is also a less well-known requirement for third-country nationals. Intending visitors must also be able to demonstrate they have access to a minimum amount of money for each day spent in Europe. In the case of France and Spain the amount of daily spending money is currently €100 (£85) but this is a minimum amount. With recent rises in the cost of living, and inflation in Europe currently running at around 6.5%, it would be prudent to increase the daily recommended budget by at least 10%.
Around Europe
The cost of living, and prices in general, vary greatly around Europe with some countries being significantly more expensive than others. Each EU and Schengen country applies its own daily means of subsistence and visitors should be aware of how much or how little is required before entering the country.
Travellers are rarely questioned about their funds but this can happen on rare occasions and some documentary evidence of available funds should be carried when entering Europe for the first time or when crossing a country border.
Some examples of what level of subsistence is currently required around Europe are:
Spain
Travellers entering Spain are expected to have access to a minimum of €100 (£85) per person per day while in the country.
France
France can be expensive and particularly so if visiting Paris. At a bare minimum an available amount of €100 (£85) is required although €120 (£103) is often stipulated if the visitor has no accommodation booked and paid for. With pre-paid accommodation the figure is lowered to a more manageable €64 (£55) per day. Visitors on a limited budget, such as backpackers, staying in low cost accommodation are expected to have as little as €32.25 (£28) per day available for expenses.
Belgium
Belgian authorities have a two-tiered approach regarding means of subsistence. Visitors with hotel accommodation will require at least €95 (£82) per day while travellers with budget accommodation only need €45 (£39) spending money per day.
Germany
Germany has a surprisingly low means of subsistence level a just €45 (£39) per day for all visitors to the country.
The Netherlands
As is the case with Germany, Holland only has one level of required funding which is currently set at €34 (£29) available funds a day.
Italy
The Italian method of assessing the means of subsistence is slightly complicated. Visitors staying in the country for up to five days must demonstrate access to a fixed amount of £269.60 (£231) which works out to around €53.90 (£46) per day. This amount decreases to €44.90 (£38) daily for stays of six to ten days and once again to as low as €36.70 (£31) for longer stays in Italy.
Denmark
Two levels of daily expenditure apply to visitors to Denmark. A higher rate of €67 (£57) is applicable to most visitors but those with paid accommodation in budget hotels, or similar, only require €30 (£25) to spend daily.
Finland
All visitors to Finland need to satisfy the authorities they have access to a minimum of €30 (£25) for each day spent in the country.
Sweden
Finland’s Scandinavian neighbour Sweden also applies a single substance level for visitors although significantly higher than its neighbour at €48 (£41) per day.
Latvia
One of the lowest (if not the lowest) means of subsistence levels in Europe is required of visitors to Latvia which is a very modest €14 (£12) for daily expenditure.
Austria
Austria does not have a fixed means of subsistence amount as all applications are reviewed on case-by-case merits. Austria is an expensive country to visit so it would be prudent to expect the daily expenditure amount to be a minimum of €100 (£85) and, very possibly, higher.
Although some European countries, such as Latvia, only require visitors to have very little disposable income on a daily basis these are the exceptions to the rule. The vast majority of European countries have a high standard of living with the accompanying high prices for daily essentials. The subsistence amount quoted by the different Schengen authorities should be regarded as the bare minimum and visitors should expect the actual costs to be more than the official requirement.
Future Changes
The European Union is currently introducing a new system for pre-screening visitors to Europe. Called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), it is expected that all non-EU nationals will require ETIAS approval before embarking on any visit to Europe by the end of 2024.
The ETIAS requirement will affect British passport holders as the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union and is now deemed a third country. It is unlikely that British citizens will require a Schengen Visa to visit any of the Schengen countries, even those that are not EU members, but this cannot be totally ruled out.
Presently, British visitors to Europe require only a valid passport but the income requirements apply and proof of adequate funding for any European visit may be sought at the point of entry into Europe. This is an unlikely event, but a possibility nonetheless, and British travellers should carry relevant documentation supporting the fact that the necessary funds are to hand or readily accessible.
