Introduction
The Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you plan traveling to, amongst other things when applying for the visa, will ask you to provide some supporting documents, one of which is “means of subsistence”. This is an accepted document to evidence that you as an applicant seeking to enter a Schengen Country have the needed financial ability to travel and reside abroad in the specific country of the Schengen Area, complying with the living standard of that Schengen hosting country.
Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency:
- A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months)
- Credit card
- Cash
- Traveller’s cheques
- Pay slips
- Proof of employment
- Supporting document to attest sponsor’s readiness to cover your expenses during your stay
- Proof of prepaid accommodation
- Document about accommodation in private
- Proof of prepaid transport
- Other
Regarding the means of subsistence, the Regulation (Ec) No 810/2009 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 13 July 2009, establishing a Community Code on Visas also known as “Visa Code” stipulates:
In its Article 14 (c):
“Documents indicating that the applicant possesses sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to his country of origin or residence, or for the transit to a third country into which he is certain to be admitted, or that he is in a position to acquire such means lawfully, in accordance with Article 5(1)(c) and (3) of the Schengen Borders Code”
While, In its Article 21 (5) augments:
“The means of subsistence for the intended stay shall be assessed in accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the Member State(s) concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the number of days stayed, on the basis of the reference amounts set by the Member States in accordance with Article 34(1)(c) of the Schengen Borders Code. Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation may also constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.”
Despite that this “Visa Code” is created to boost uniformity between Schengen countries, yet, each of the Schengen countries is free to apply specific national rules. This means that every Schengen nation is allowed to have certain independence when setting the reference or fixed amount of financial means of subsistence towards foreign visa applicants. This also involves the fact that this set amount does not necessarily match with the number of financial means that another Schengen country might apply towards foreigners who seek to get its country’s Visa.
Next, we will introduce you with country-specific rules, as regards to the number of means of subsistence that each Schengen country applies towards their foreign visa applicants.
Austria Means of Subsistence for Austrian Schengen Visa
Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, same as all Austrian Embassies and Consulates of the country abroad, does not openly and precisely stipulate the amount of the necessary means of subsistence that a foreign visa applicant has to evidence at the moment of application for Austrian Visa. Then, implicitly the amount of financial means, or means of subsistence, is regulated by an individual or case-by-case basis.
BelgiumMeans of Subsistence for Belgium Schengen Visa
According to the Belgian Immigration Office, the amount that a foreign national applying for a Belgium Visa, at Belgian Embassy or Consulate, has to attest possessing in order to be able to enter and reside the country, is 95€/day if staying in a hotel, and 45€ when planning to get accommodated by cheaper means.
Czech RepublicMeans of Subsistence for Czech Republic Schengen Visa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic stipulates that for Czech short-term visa applicants, the amount of required financial means they have to evidence when applying is 1,100 CZK equivalent to 42,50€/day of stay. If the overall planned days of stay in the Czech Republic, exceeds 30 calendar days, the visa applicant has to attest to the Czech Embassy or Consulate a total amount of 33,000 CZK or 1,274€ together with an additional amount of 4,400 CZK equivalent to 170€ by the end of each month of stay.
Meanwhile, the same ministry instructs that applicants for Czech long-term visa must attest financial means in the number of 15-times the subsistence minimum (2,200 CZK or 85€), then 33,000 CZK or 1,274€, as well as double this minimum in the amount of 4,400 CZK or 170€ after each month of stay. On the other hand, when applying for a Czech long-term business visa, the applicant must attest possessing the amount of 50-times the subsistence minimum, thus 110,000 CZK or 4,245€. What is more, when applying for Czech long-term student visa, you can attest your financial sufficiency in a form of confirmation from a state authority, or an organization, for covering your expenses during your stay in the Czech Republic in the amount of subsistence minimum of 2,200 CZK or 85€ /month of stay.
*Note: Individuals below the age of 18 are required to attest half or 50% of the required amount of financial means when applying for Czech Visa.
Denmark Means of Subsistence for Denmark Schengen Visa
As the Visa Code of Denmark suggests, an applicant for a Denmark Visa must be able to attest possessing nearly 500 DKK or 67.24€/day when in Denmark, if staying in a hotel, while if staying in a hostel or similar cheaper means, then the required amount of financial means is 350 DKK or 47.07€. On the other hand, if the applicant pays the accommodation in advance, or if its accommodation is covered by a third party, then the amount of financial means required by a Denish Embassy or Consulate when applying for a visa lowers further.
Estonia Means of Subsistence for Estonia Schengen Visa
Agreeing to the information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, the amount of financial means that every foreigner applying for an Estonian Visa has to demonstrate owning to the Estonian Embassy or Consulate is 100€ /day for the period of stay in Estonia.
FinlandMeans of Subsistence for Finland Schengen Visa
As the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland stipulates, any foreigner seeking to get a Finland Visa must attest possession of a minimum of 30€/day to the Finland Embassy or Consulate.
Means of Subsistence for France Schengen VisaFrance
As the European Commission specifies, any foreigner seeking to enter France, since 19 June 2014, when applying for France Visa must be able attesting to the France Embassy or Consulate possessing the daily money amount of 120€ if holding no proof of prepaid accommodation. If the applicant has a prepaid hotel, then this amount reduces to 65€/daily for the period of covered hotel accommodation, while the rest is 120€. Also, in case the applicant proofs cheaper forms of accommodation the amount decreases to 32.25€/ day.
Germany Means of Subsistence for Germany Schengen Visa
According to the European Commission information, a foreign applicant applying for a German visa must be able to attest possessing 45€/day to the German Embassy or Consulate for the period of stay in German territory.
Greece Means of Subsistence for Greece Schengen Visa
As the European Commission communicates, since 24 December 2007 with the Common Ministerial Decision No 3021/22/10-f, all foreign nationals, citizens of a Non-EU country, are obliged to attest possessing an amount of 50€/day and a minimum total amount of 300€ /stay up to 5 days when applying for Greek Visa to a Greek Embassy or Consulate.
*Note: A reduction to 50% of the regular amount applies to minors.
Hungary Means of Subsistence for Hungary Schengen Visa
Agreeing to the European Commission specification, the aliens policing legislation of the Hungarians, Decree No 25/2001. (XI. 21.) of the Minister of Interior of Hungary, for a foreigner to enter and reside in Hungarian territory through a Hungarian Visa it has to provide 1000 HUF or 3.19€ upon each entry. There is no other specified amount of the means of subsistence needed to attest by an applicant to the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate at the moment applying for a visa.
Iceland Means of Subsistence for Iceland Schengen Visa
As the European Commission communicates, a foreign national, according to the Icelandic Law when applying for an Icelandic Visa, must attest owning an amount of subsistence of 4,000 ISK or 28.83€/day to the Icelandic Embassy or Consulate. While the amount of money required for each entry to the territory of Iceland is 20,000 ISK or 144.13€.
Information source: The European Commission, Icelandic Law
Italy Means of Subsistence for Italy Schengen Visa
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, the following are the required amounts of means of subsistence needed to be attested by a foreigner, at the moment applying for an Italian Visa to an Italian Embassy or Consulate:
Latvia Means of Subsistence for Latvia Schengen Visa
As the European Commission tells, according to the Immigration Law, foreign nationals who want to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia, they need to attest enjoying at least 14€/day for the duration of their stay, at the moment applying for a Latvian Visa to the Latvian Embassy or Consulate.
Lithuania Means of Subsistence for Lithuania Schengen Visa
In reference to the European Commission information, under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens of Lithuania, a foreign national who wants to enter the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, while applying for a Lithuanian Visa it needs to attest to the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate possession of 40€/day.
Information source: The European Commission, the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens of Lithuania
Luxembourg Means of Subsistence for Luxembourg Schengen Visa
As the European Commission updates, Luxembourg does not stipulate any specific amount of the means of subsistence applying towards foreign nationals when applying for a Luxembourg Visa to the Luxembourg Embassy or Consulate.
MaltaMeans of Subsistence for Malta Schengen Visa
According to the information provided by the European Commission, a foreign national who wants to enter the territory of Malta, while applying for a Visa to Malta, it needs to attest owning 48€/day for the period of stay, to the Malta Embassy or Consulate.
Netherlands Means of Subsistence for Netherlands Schengen Visa
According to the information provided by the European Commission, a foreign national who wants to enter the territory of the Netherlands, while applying for a Netherlands Visa it needs to attest owning 34€/day for the period of stay, to the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate.
Information source: The European Commission
NorwayMeans of Subsistence for Norway Schengen Visa
As the European Commission informs, according to Section 17 (f) of the Norwegian Immigration Act, a foreign national who seeks to enter the territory of Norway needs to attest to the Embassy or Consulate when applying for a Norwegian Visa owning of at least 500 NOK that are equivalent to 53.34€. However, this number is not officially fixed and typically the amount is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Poland Means of Subsistence for Poland Schengen Visa
According to the information provided by the European Commission, under the Regulation of the Minister for Internal Affairs and Administration of 22 December 2008 a foreign national seeking to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland needs to attest owning the following amount of the means of subsistence, while applying for a Poland Visa to the Poland Embassy or Consulate:
For Stays up to 3 Days
The overall amount is 300 PLN or 67.76€
For Stays exceeding 3 Days
The daily amount is 100 PLN or 22.59€
If the accommodation costs are covered by a third party or prior to travel, the daily amount reduces to 20 PLN or 4.52€
Information source: The European Commission, The Regulation of the Minister for Internal Affairs and Administration
Portugal Means of Subsistence for Portugal Schengen Visa
According to the information brought by the European Commission, in order for a foreign national to enter the territory of Portugal it needs to attest owning 40€/day when applying for a Portugal Visa to the Portugal Embassy or Consulate. As well, every foreigner, each time entering the territory of Portugal, must be able to provide an amount of 75€.
Slovakia Means of Subsistence for Slovakia Schengen Visa
Also based on the information offered by the European Commission, under Article 4 of the Act No 48/2002 Coll. on stay of aliens and on the amendment of certain acts, in order for a foreign national to enter the territories of Slovak Republic it needs attesting to the Slovak Embassy or Consulate, about owning an amount of 56€/day for the period of stay, while applying for a Slovak Visa.
Slovenia Means of Subsistence for Slovenia Schengen Visa
Another time, as the European Commission notifies, according to the Article 7 of the Instructions on refusing entry to aliens, conditions for issuing visas at border crossings, conditions for issuing visas for humanitarian reasons and procedure for revoking visas, a foreigner seeking to enter the territory of Slovenia needs to attest owning the amount of 70€/day to spend during its stay in Slovenia. The foreigner must attest this amount to the Slovenian Embassy or Consulate while applying for a Slovenian Visa.
Spain Means of Subsistence for Spain Schengen Visa
Concerning to what the European Commission informs, under the Order of the Ministry of the Presidency of Spain (PRE/1282/2007), a foreigner who seeks to enter the territory of Spain needs to attest owning the overall amount for the duration up to 10 days that is representative of a 90% of the gross national minimum wage (636.93 €) that is 573.23€, while in case of exceeding 10 days the daily required amount is 70.77€. The foreign national needs to attest to owning such amount to the Spain Embassy or Consulate the moment applying for a Spanish Visa.
SwedenMeans of Subsistence for Sweden Schengen Visa
In accordance with the information provided by the European Commission, as of 15 November 2011, a foreigner who seeks to enter the territory of Sweden must be able to attest possessing 450 SEK or 48.26€/day of stay in Sweden, at the moment applying for a Swedish Visa to the Swedish Embassy or Consulate.
Switzerland Means of Subsistence for Switzerland Schengen Visa
As the European Commission informs, according to the Swiss Aliens Act of 16 December 2005 (RS 142.20), a foreign national who wants to enter and reside in the territory of Switzerland must be able to attest owning at least 100 CHF or 92.34€/day on his disposition during its stay in Switzerland, while, in case the foreigner is a student possessing a valid student ID this amount reduces to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day. A foreigner is obliged to provide such proof of sufficient financial means, the moment applying for a Swiss Visa to the Swiss Embassy or Consulate.
Information source: The European Commission, the Swiss Aliens Act (RS 142.20)
Means of Subsistence for Liechtenstein Schengen Visa
The European Commission also notifies that a foreigner seeking to enter the territory of Liechtenstein, has to be able attesting to possess, same as in the case of Switzerland, nearly 100 CHF or 92.34€/day on his disposition during his stay in Liechtenstein, while if the foreigner is a student holding a valid student ID this amount reduces to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day. The aforementioned amount needs to be attested to the Liechtenstein Embassy or Consulate by a foreign applicant, while applying for Liechtenstein Visa.
