Planning a visit to any of the captivating nations in the Schengen area? Exploring Europe’s diverse cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and lively cities is undeniably an exciting prospect. However, applying for a Schengen visa requires you to meet specific criteria, including proving that you have enough financial resources to support yourself during your trip. This is where the minimum bank balance comes in.

Schengen visa minimum bank balance

When applying for a Schengen visa, it’s crucial to demonstrate your financial capability to support yourself during your trip. This involves maintaining a minimum bank balance as proof of sufficient funds to cover travel expenses, accommodation, health insurance, and other unforeseen costs.

The required bank balance for a Schengen visa varies based on the country, duration of stay, and personal finances. Each country has its regulations regarding the minimum daily balance or within a specific range. Some countries assess cases individually rather than applying a fixed amount.

Austria

Specific sufficient means of subsistence amounts are not provided by the Austrian Embassies and Consulates. Decisions regarding this criterion are evaluated individually, considering factors such as the intended stay’s purpose, nature, and duration. It is generally recommended to budget a minimum of EUR 100 per day when visiting Austria, as this is the average daily expenditure for a tourist in the country.

In certain circumstances, various forms of payment, including cash, traveler’s cheques, credit cards, bank guarantees, or letters from economically stable residents of Austria, might be accepted as evidence validating that sufficient funds are available.

Belgium

According to Belgian law, it is required to demonstrate the availability of sufficient financial resources. If you are staying with a friend or family member, you can provide proof of means of subsistence through a letter of guarantee. This letter should be signed by your host in Belgium and authenticated by the municipal administration of their residence. It guarantees that your host will cover all the financial expenses of your stay in Belgium. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have a minimum daily amount of EUR 45 available to spend in Belgium.

However, if you are staying in a hotel, you must have access to approximately EUR 95 for each day of your planned stay. In most cases, you must produce a travel ticket (airline ticket) enabling him to return to his country of origin or residence.

Croatia

When entering Croatia, the border control authority may require proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay, return, or onward travel. Foreigners must demonstrate adequate financial means for their stay and return/transit. As per the Croatian Immigration Office guidelines, travelers are required to demonstrate financial means of €95 per day for hotel accommodation or €45 per day for more affordable accommodation options.

Czech Republic

The reference amounts for short-term stays in the territory of the Czech Republic are provided in Section 13 of Act No 326/1999 Coll. on the residence of foreigners, as amended, in connection with Section 5 of Act No 110/2006 Coll., on living and subsistence minimum.

• For stays of up to 30 days, it is necessary for the applicant to have a minimum of CZK 1,565 per day (representing half of the existential minimum set at CZK 3,130 per day) to meet the visa requirements.
• For stays exceeding 30 days (up to a maximum of 90 days), the applicant must possess a minimum of 15 times CZK 3,130. This required amount increases by an additional 2 times CZK 3,130 for each full month, totaling CZK 46,950 plus an additional CZK 6,260 for each complete month.

Denmark

According to the Danish Aliens Law, individuals must demonstrate that they possess enough financial resources per the specified amount of DKK 350 per day. Moreover, applicants must furnish evidence of having sufficient funds for their return trip, including a valid return ticket.

Estonia

Under Estonian law, individuals arriving in Estonia without a letter of invitation must provide proof of sufficient financial means upon entry. The required amount is 0.2 times the monthly minimum salary set by the Government of the Republic, which is currently equivalent to 130.80 EUR per allowed day of stay.

Alternatively, if a person invites the individual, they will be responsible for covering the costs of the visitor’s stay and departure from Estonia.

Finland

According to the Aliens’ Act (301/2004, paragraph 11), individuals entering the country must provide proof of sufficient financial means that cover both the duration of their intended stay and their return or transit to another country where their entry is guaranteed. The sufficiency of funds is assessed on a case-by-case basis and can be legally acquired.

Apart from the funds or tickets needed for departure and accommodation, approximately EUR 30 per day is generally considered necessary, depending on the accommodation arrangements and the availability of a sponsor.

France

The general requirement for financial means to obtain a visa for France is to have at least EUR 65 per day. Keep in mind that depending on your accommodation arrangements, the minimum amount required for French visa changes as follows:

• staying with a family member or friend who invited you – you must provide funds equal to half of the minimum required amount of the minimum wage, which is EUR 32.50 per day.
• having a hotel reservation – you must provide evidence of funds amounting to EUR 65 per day.
• partial hotel reservation (reservation for only a few days) – you must show evidence that you have at least EUR 65 per day for your valid hotel reservation. For the remaining days without a hotel reservation, you should have EUR 120 per day.
• no accommodation arrangements – If you have no accommodation plans, you must demonstrate to the embassy or consulate that you possess a minimum of EUR 120 per day.

Germany

Proof of having a minimum of EUR 45 per day is necessary when applying for a Schengen visa for Germany. It is essential to keep in mind that the German embassy takes various factors into consideration when assessing your visa application, including the length of your stay, whether you will be staying with friends or family, the purpose of your visit, and other relevant circumstances related to your trip to the country.

Proof of financial means may take the form of cash, credit cards, and checks but may also include:

• a legal guarantee from a credit institution authorised to operate in the Federal Republic of Germany,
• a letter of guarantee from the host,
• a telegraphic money order,
• a guarantee deposited by the host or a third party with the immigration authorities responsible for the stay,
• sponsorship declaration

Greece

According to Common Ministerial Decision No 3021/22/10-f dated 24 December 2007, foreign nationals (excluding European Union Member State nationals) must have EUR 50 per person per day as subsistence. For stays of up to 5 days, there is a minimum total of EUR 300. If the foreign national is a minor, these amounts are reduced by 50%.

Hungary

As per Decree No. 25 of 2007, the reference amount for means of subsistence is HUF 10,000 per entry for third-country nationals and for family members of EEA citizens or Hungarian citizens who are third-country nationals and require visas.

The means of subsistence required for entry and stay may be certified by the presentation of:

• Hungarian currency, foreign currency, or non-cash means of payment (e.g., cheque, credit card, etc.) are accepted.
• A Hungarian national, a foreigner with a residence or settlement permit, or a legal entity providing a valid invitation letter. The inviter must declare their responsibility for covering accommodation, lodging, health care, and return costs.
• Confirmation of prepaid board and lodging can be obtained through a travel agency, which may be provided as a voucher.

Iceland

Following Icelandic legislation, individuals must provide proof of having adequate financial resources to cover their expenses in Iceland and for the return trip. The specified amount usually amounts to ISK 4,000 per person. In cases where someone else assumes responsibility for covering these costs, the required sum is halved. Hence, each traveler must ensure at least ISK 20,000 minimum entry amount.

Italy

For an Italian visa, the minimum means of bank balance changes as the number of days and number of visitors increases.

Latvia

To enter and stay in Latvia, you must demonstrate that you possess the required funds for subsistence, which amounts to EUR 14 per day of your stay.

Liechtenstein

When applying for a Schengen visa to visit Liechtenstein and assuming responsibility for your expenses, it is necessary to provide evidence of having a minimum of CHF 100 per day in your bank account

Lithuania

The Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have specified that you must have a minimum of EUR 40 available per day for your stay in the country.

Luxembourg

To travel to Luxembourg, the reference amount needed is based on the minimum wage for an unskilled worker, which is approximately EUR 67 per day. This amount is calculated proportionally to the duration of your planned stay.

Netherlands

When verifying means of subsistence in the Netherlands, border control officials currently consider a basis of EUR 55 per person per day. However, this criterion is applied flexibly, as the required amount depends on factors such as the planned duration of stay, the purpose of the visit, and the individual circumstances of the person involved.

Norway

In Norway, the required amounts for sufficient funds are determined individually, with decisions made on a case-by-case evaluation. Factors such as the duration of stay, whether the foreign national will be staying with family or friends, possession of a return ticket, and provision of a stay guarantee are considered. As a general indication, EUR 48 per day is sufficient for visitors not staying with relatives or friends.

Poland

The regulation stipulates that a foreigner entering the territory of the Republic of Poland must possess means of subsistence amounting to at least PLN 300 if the duration of their planned stay does not exceed 4 days and PLN 75 for each day of the scheduled stay if the time of their intended visit exceeds 4 days.

If you are visiting Poland under any of the following circumstances, you must provide evidence that you have at least PLN 20 for each day of the planned stay, no less than PLN 100.

• is a participant in a tourist event, a youth camp, or a sports event,
• has had the cost of the stay in the Republic of Poland paid,
• comes to a treatment and sanatorium facility,
• is a participant in the program enabling them to perform holiday work on the territory of the Republic of Poland, which is not the primary purpose of their stay, governed by an international agreement to which the Republic of Poland is a party.

Moreover, foreigners entering the territory of Poland for educational purposes, scientific research, training, or development work are required to have a minimum amount of PLN 1,270.

In addition, they must possess additional financial resources to cover the expenses of their return journey to their home country or residence and the costs of transit to another country that will grant them entry. The minimum amount varies separately for each foreigner and family member.

• If they came from a country neighbouring the Republic of Poland –
• If they came from a Member State of the European Union other than neighbouring the Republic of Poland – PLN 500
• If they came from a country that is not a Member State of the European Union – PLN 2,500

Slovakia

The Slovak Ministry of the Interior has determined that the required daily amount per person is EUR 56. This amount comprises:

• EUR 30 for accommodation;
• EUR 4 for breakfast;
• EUR 7.50 for lunch;
• EUR 7.50 for dinner;
• EUR 7 for spending money.

Slovenia

In Slovenia, the daily subsistence amount for individuals is set at EUR 70. The prescribed amount for minors accompanied by their parents or legal representatives is 50% of EUR 70, which equals EUR 35.

Spain

The amount of money required to obtain a Spain visa depends on various factors. It is calculated as 10% of the gross minimum interprofessional salary or its equivalent in foreign currency, multiplied by the number of days planned for the stay and the number of individuals traveling with you.

According to the regulations established by the Ministry of the Presidency of Spain (PRE/1282/2007), the minimum amount required is EUR 100 per person per day, with a minimum of EUR 900 for those intending to stay in Spain.

Sweden

The reference amount for crossing the border is set by Swedish legislation at an amount of SEK 450 per day.

Switzerland

Foreign nationals responsible for covering their own expenses during their stay in Switzerland must provide proof of possessing approximately CHF 100 per day. However, students who can verify their identity with a valid student card must have approximately CHF 30 daily.