How to get a Schengen visa from Thailand in 2026 (complete guide for Thai citizens)

Travelling from Thailand to Europe has never been more popular — whether it’s for a first holiday in Paris or Rome, visiting a partner or family abroad, attending a business meeting, or exploring several countries in one trip.

But Thai travellers often describe the Schengen visa process as confusing and stressful: appointments through VFS Global or TLScontact in Bangkok, long document checklists, financial proof requirements and the constant fear of refusal — especially under “risk of overstaying”.

The good news is that Thai citizens are approved every day — as long as the application is structured, consistent and well-documented. That means choosing the right embassy, proving you will return to Thailand, preparing clear financial evidence and itinerary details, and including Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000. With the right preparation, the process becomes much simpler.

What is a mandatory Schengen visa for Thai citizens?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa (Type C) that allows Thai passport holders to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For Thai citizens, this visa is mandatory for any short stay in Schengen countries — there is no visa-free access with a Thai passport.

Depending on your travel history and profile, Thai citizens may also be granted a multiple-entry Schengen visa, valid for 1 to 5 years, allowing repeated trips to Europe while respecting the 90/180-day rule.

The visa must be obtained before departure, with biometric submission in Bangkok via VFS Global or TLScontact, depending on your main destination country. Once approved, the visa sticker in your passport shows the validity period, the number of entries (single or multiple) and the maximum authorised stay. With a valid Schengen visa, you can travel freely between Schengen countries — as long as you respect the 90/180-day rule.

Your application must also include Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, including emergency medical care and repatriation.

Thai travellers must also submit valid Schengen travel medical insurance with their application. Many applicants now compare policies online and receive the certificate instantly — including options with refund if the visa is refused — through platforms such as HelloSafe.

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🌐 Who needs a Schengen Visa in Thailand?

You can normally apply for a Schengen visa in Bangkok (via VFS Global or TLScontact) only if you legally live in Thailand — either as a Thai citizen or as a foreign resident with a valid long-term permit. Temporary visitors are usually asked to apply from their home country.

Here’s a simple overview:

How do you apply for a Schengen visa from Thailand step by step?

Applying for a Schengen visa from Thailand follows a very structured process. If you prepare each step carefully — and your documents are consistent — approval becomes much more likely.

🟦 Step 1: Decide which Schengen embassy you must apply to

You must apply to the country where you will:

• spend the most nights, or
• if equal nights → the country of first entry

Applications are submitted via VFS Global or TLScontact. Here’s how this works in Thailand:

📍 Most Schengen visas are filed in Bangkok, except Italy which also accepts applications in Chiang Mai & Phuket — convenient for travellers outside the capital.

🟩 Step 2: Book your visa appointment at VFS Global or TLScontact in Thailand

Appointments are booked online with the relevant centre:

⏱ Typical waiting times in Thailand

• Low season: 1–2 weeks
• High season: 3–6+ weeks

🟨 Step 3: Gather all the documents required for a Schengen visa from Thailand

Here is the standard checklist of Schengen visa documents Thai applicants prepare:

🟪 Step 4: Buy Schengen-compliant travel insurance

Travel medical insurance is mandatory for every Schengen visa application.

To be valid, your policy must:

• provide at least €30,000 medical coverage
• include repatriation assistance
• be valid for all Schengen countries
• cover the entire duration of your stay

Most Thai travellers now buy insurance online and receive the certificate instantly in English. Platforms such as HelloSafe help compare prices in EUR & THB and choose a compliant plan easily.  

Get your Schengen travel insurance certificate in 2 minutes

💰 Refund if your visa is refused🔐 Secure payment📄 100% visa-compliant✅ Accepted by all consulates

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🟥 Step 5: Submit your application & biometrics at the visa centre

On the day of your appointment:

• Your documents are checked
• Your fingerprints & photo are taken (biometrics), including verification that your picture meets Schengen visa photo size standards
• Your passport is kept during processing

You will also pay:

• the Schengen visa fee (around €90)
• plus a service fee to VFS or TLS

Premium services (courier return, SMS updates, lounge options) are optional.

🟧 Step 6: Wait for your Schengen visa decision

The official processing time is:

• up to 15 calendar days in most cases
• 30–45 days during busy periods or complex cases

Tracking is available online through your visa centre account.

🟫 Step 7: Collect your passport and check your Schengen visa sticker

Verify:

• entries (single/multiple)
• validity dates
• number of authorised days
• your name & passport number

The 90/180-day rule still applies — even with multiple entry.

If something is incorrect, contact the visa centre immediately.

How much does a Schengen visa cost from Thailand?

Applying for a Schengen visa from Thailand involves two main costs: the official visa fee (set in euros across Europe) and the service fee charged by VFS Global or TLScontact in Bangkok. Payment is made in Thai baht at the visa centre, and fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused.

💶 THB amounts are indicative and may vary slightly depending on the daily exchange rate.

Before submitting your file, remember that Schengen-compliant travel insurance is compulsory. Many Thai travellers compare plans online via HelloSafe, receive the certificate instantly — and benefit from refund-if-visa-refused options, meaning zero financial risk if the application is unsuccessful.

How long does it take to get a Schengen visa from Thailand?

From Thailand, the total timeline depends on two stages: first, securing an appointment in Bangkok (at VFS Global or TLScontact), and second, the processing time for Schengen visa once your application has been submitted. Because all Schengen short-stay visas for Thai residents are centralised in Bangkok, waiting times can change significantly depending on the destination country and the season.

Here is a clear overview based on typical experience in Thailand:

📍 Important localisation note

All Schengen visa appointments take place only in Bangkok. There are currently no permanent Schengen visa centres in Chiang Mai, Phuket or other provinces, so applicants across Thailand must travel to the capital for biometrics.

Once your application has been lodged, most decisions are issued within 15 calendar days. However, during busy months, Thai applicants regularly report waiting 3–6 weeks in total (appointment + processing combined), especially when travelling to Western European destinations.

Seasonality – when delays are longest in Thailand

Visa demand is strongly seasonal. Delays are often much longer during:

• December–January → Thai travellers heading to Europe for Christmas & New Year
• March–April (Songkran period) → very high outbound travel from Thailand
• June–August → European summer holidays, extremely high global demand

During these periods, Thais frequently face:

✔ fewer appointment slots

✔ slower processing

✔ higher chance of extra checks

✔ higher travel costs overall

Practical timing advice for Thai applicants

• Try to book your appointment 6–8 weeks before departure
• Make sure your file is complete at least 1 month ahead
• Remember: you can apply up to 6 months in advance

And don’t forget — your application must already include Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance. Many Thai travellers now purchase it online in just a few minutes, with an instant certificate ready to upload for their VFS/TLS appointment.

What are the Schengen visa requirements for Thai citizens?

To obtain a Schengen visa, Thai citizens must show that their trip is short, clearly planned and financially supported, and that they will return to Thailand afterwards. In addition to the basic documents (passport, photos and visa form), embassies in Bangkok pay particular attention to financial resources, valid travel medical insurance and a credible itinerary with confirmed accommodation.

Thai applicants must prove they can fully fund their stay. This usually means providing bank statements for the last 3–6 months, regular income movements, savings covering the whole trip, and proof of employment, business or studies. Minimum daily funds vary by country. As a reference:

💱 Based on ~€1 = 40–41 THB (indicative) Embassies prefer stable balances rather than sudden cash deposits. A sponsor (partner/family/company) may help cover costs.

Travel medical insurance is also mandatory for every Schengen visa application from Thailand. Your policy must meet the rules below:

Many Thai travellers now purchase insurance online with instant certificates, and comparison tools such as HelloSafe help find compliant plans — including policies that refund the premium if the visa is refused.

Finally, your itinerary must be clear and consistent with your bookings and finances. Embassies normally expect accommodation for the full stay, a return flight reservation and a simple travel plan.

A simple, realistic itinerary often works better than a very complex multi-country trip — especially for first-time Thai applicants.

What are the most common reasons for Schengen visa refusal in Thailand?

Although many Thai citizens are approved for Schengen visas each year, refusals still occur — especially for first-time travellers. The most frequent issues relate to financial credibility, unclear travel purpose or doubts about the applicant returning to Thailand after the trip. Embassies carefully assess income stability, ties to Thailand and the internal coherence of the application.

A refusal does not stop you from re-applying — but the next application must clearly address the reason mentioned in the refusal letter.

Thai applicants can reduce refusal risk by presenting a clear, consistent and credible file: strong ties to Thailand (work, business, study, family or property), 3–6 months of genuine bank statements, no sudden cash deposits, a simple and realistic itinerary, and matching dates for flights, hotels and insurance. Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 with repatriation) is also essential.

Many Thai travellers now choose policies that provide instant certificates and refund in case of visa refusal, easily compared online via platforms such as HelloSafe, which helps reduce financial stress during the process.

Do Thai travellers really need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Yes — travel medical insurance is compulsory for Thai citizens applying for a Schengen visa. Without a valid insurance certificate, your application will not be accepted at VFS Global or TLScontact in Bangkok. The policy must cover medical emergencies and repatriation for the whole stay inside the Schengen Area.

🩺 Mandatory coverage levels

💶 Typical cost of Schengen insurance in Thailand

💻 Buying insurance online (instant certificate)

Most Thai travellers now buy their policy online in just a few minutes and receive the certificate instantly — ready to upload for their visa file.

A comparison tool like HelloSafe helps find Schengen-compliant insurance easily and discreetly — with some plans even refunded if the visa is refused.

Get your Schengen travel insurance certificate in 2 minutes

💰 Refund if your visa is refused🔐 Secure payment📄 100% visa-compliant✅ Accepted by all consulates

Get my certificate

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