Can my baby travel on my Schengen visa?

No. Children of any age need their own individual Schengen visa. Babies cannot be included on parent visas and must have their own passport and application.

What if I'm divorced and don't have contact with my ex-spouse?

You'll need court documents proving sole custody or legal guardianship. Contact the consulate in advance as they may require additional documentation or legal statements depending on your situation.

Can my child travel with grandparents using their Schengen visa?

Yes, but the child needs extensive documentation including notarized parental consent letters, copies of parent IDs, birth certificates, and proof that grandparents can financially support the child during travel.

Do both parents need to attend the visa appointment?

Usually yes, unless one parent has a notarized authorization letter allowing the other to submit solo. Children under 12 may not need to attend at some consulates, but policies vary by country.

How to apply for a Schengen visa for children

Children need their own Schengen visa application with additional documents including birth certificates, parental consent letters, and proof of financial support. The process is identical to adult applications but requires extra documentation proving parental responsibility and travel authorization.

Gather required documents for your child. Collect your child's passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond travel), birth certificate, two passport photos, and completed application form. You'll also need proof of travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses.
Prepare parental authorization documents. If both parents are traveling, bring marriage certificate or proof of joint custody. If only one parent travels, the other must provide a notarized letter of consent including their ID copy. For single parents, bring court documents proving sole custody.
Show financial support and accommodation proof. Provide bank statements from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds (€50-100 per day per child depending on destination), hotel bookings, and detailed itinerary. Include proof of your employment and income as the sponsoring parent.
Submit application at the consulate. Book an appointment at the consulate of your main destination country. Both parents and the child must attend unless you have specific authorization. Bring all original documents plus photocopies. Application fees are €35 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6.
Track processing and collect passport. Processing takes 15 calendar days on average but can extend to 45 days during peak season. Track your application online if the service is available. Collect the passport in person with your receipt, or authorize someone else with a signed letter and ID copies.

Can my baby travel on my Schengen visa?: No. Children of any age need their own individual Schengen visa. Babies cannot be included on parent visas and must have their own passport and application.
What if I'm divorced and don't have contact with my ex-spouse?: You'll need court documents proving sole custody or legal guardianship. Contact the consulate in advance as they may require additional documentation or legal statements depending on your situation.
Can my child travel with grandparents using their Schengen visa?: Yes, but the child needs extensive documentation including notarized parental consent letters, copies of parent IDs, birth certificates, and proof that grandparents can financially support the child during travel.
Do both parents need to attend the visa appointment?: Usually yes, unless one parent has a notarized authorization letter allowing the other to submit solo. Children under 12 may not need to attend at some consulates, but policies vary by country.