Schengen Visa for Nigerians 2026: Requirements, Fees, Documents and How to Apply

📌 Quick answer (checked 13 October 2026): A Schengen short-stay visa costs €90 for adults (about ₦134,000 at the official rate of roughly ₦1,491 to the euro) and €45 for children aged 6 to 11; children under 6 pay nothing. Visa centres add a service fee, typically €20 to €45. You apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most time, through its visa centre in Lagos or Abuja, with a passport, bank statements, travel insurance of at least €30,000, accommodation and flight reservations. Decisions normally take about 15 days, and longer in busy seasons.

One Schengen visa lets you travel across 29 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The UK, Ireland and Cyprus are not in Schengen and need separate visas.

Schengen Visa Fees

Fees in force since June 2024. Naira figures are our estimates at the official rate of ₦1,490.64 per euro (16 October 2026); the amount you pay depends on how the centre collects it. Fees are not refunded if you are refused.

Also budget for travel insurance, document translation if needed, photos and travel to the centre. Do not buy non-refundable flights or hotels before your visa is approved; reservations are enough to apply.

Which Country Should You Apply To?

Apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most time. If you will spend equal time in several countries, apply to the country you will enter first. Applying to a country you do not really plan to visit, because it seems “easier”, is a common reason for refusal and can cause problems at the border. Once your visa is issued, you can enter the Schengen Area through any member country.

Each country uses its own visa centre in Nigeria, such as VFS Global, TLScontact or BLS International, mostly in Lagos and Abuja. The embassy’s website says which one to use.

Documents You Need

• Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area, with at least two blank pages.
• Application form, completed and signed.
• Photos meeting the Schengen photo rules.
• Travel insurance covering all Schengen countries for your whole trip, with at least €30,000 of medical and repatriation cover.
• Flight reservation showing entry and exit dates.
• Accommodation: hotel bookings for every night, or an invitation from your host with their ID and address.
• Bank statements, usually for the last 6 months, showing steady income and enough money for the trip. Many countries publish a daily amount they expect you to have; check the embassy’s website.
• Proof of work or business: an employer’s letter with your role, salary and approved leave, or business registration and statements if self-employed.
• Ties to Nigeria: job, business, property, family responsibilities and previous travel.

How to Apply

1. Decide your main destination and read that embassy’s checklist.
2. Book an appointment with its visa centre. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 days before; apply 6 to 8 weeks ahead to be safe.
3. Attend with your documents, pay the fees and give your fingerprints.
4. Track your application online and collect your passport when it is ready.

Decisions normally take about 15 calendar days, but can take up to 45 days if the embassy needs more information or in busy periods.

Why Schengen Applications Are Refused

1. Not enough money, or money that does not add up: sudden large deposits or balances that do not match your income.
2. Doubts that you will return: weak evidence of your job, business or family in Nigeria.
3. Inconsistent documents: hotel dates that do not match flights, or letters that contradict your form.
4. The wrong country: applying somewhere that is not your main destination.
5. Missing or invalid insurance.

Previous visas from the UK, US, Canada or the Schengen Area, used correctly, help your application. If you are refused, the letter gives the reason and explains how to appeal to that country.

At the Border: The Entry/Exit System

Since October 2025 the EU has been registering non-EU visitors in its Entry/Exit System (EES): on your first entry, border officers take your fingerprints and a photo, and the system records each entry and exit. It replaces passport stamps and counts your 90 days automatically, so overstaying even by a day will show. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Schengen visa for Nigerians in 2026?

€90 for adults (about ₦134,000 at the official rate in October 2026), €45 for children aged 6 to 11 and free for children under 6, plus the visa centre’s service fee, typically €20 to €45.

How long does a Schengen visa take in Nigeria?

Usually about 15 days after your appointment, but up to 45 days in some cases. Apply 6 to 8 weeks before you travel.

Which Schengen country is easiest for Nigerians?

There is no reliable “easiest” country. Apply to your genuine main destination with complete, consistent documents; that matters far more than the country.

Do I have to enter through the country that gave me the visa?

No. You can enter the Schengen Area through any member country, but you should have applied to the country that is your main destination.

Can I work in Europe with a Schengen visa?

No. A short-stay Schengen visa does not allow you to work.

Sources

1. European Commission, Schengen visa policy and Entry/Exit System.
2. Immihelp, “Schengen visa application fees guide” (fees since June 2024 and typical service fees).
3. Central Bank of Nigeria official exchange rate (NaijaSabi Price Index).

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · NaijaSabi. Requirements vary slightly by country; always check the embassy’s own checklist before you apply.