Sponsorship letter sample for visa: complete guide for Schengen applications
Applying for a Schengen visa often means dealing with documents that are poorly explained and inconsistently presented across official websites. The sponsorship letter is a perfect example: many applicants are unsure who can act as a sponsor, what the letter must include, whether a simple template is enough, or if a specific official form is required depending on the country.
This page is designed to remove that uncertainty. You’ll find reliable sponsorship letter samples, clear explanations of administrative requirements, and practical, up-to-date guidance (2026) to help you prepare a sponsorship letter that matches what Schengen consulates actually expect—without unnecessary complexity or risky shortcuts.
📄 A sponsorship letter supports a Schengen visa application but never guarantees approval
💶 The letter must clearly state who pays for what: accommodation, daily expenses, or both
🏛️ Some Schengen countries require an official sponsorship or accommodation form, not just a letter
💳 Even with a sponsor, applicants are usually still expected to show personal financial resources
🩺 Travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage remains mandatory, sponsorship or not
🔍 Consistency between the sponsorship letter, itinerary, accommodation, and financial documents is critical
What is a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa?
A sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa is a written declaration in which a person legally residing in a Schengen country confirms that they will host and/or financially support a visa applicant during a short stay of up to 90 days. It is commonly used for tourist trips, family or friend visits, and private stays, and forms part of the supporting documents reviewed by the consulate.
In practice, this letter helps the authorities understand where the applicant will stay, who will cover certain costs, and whether the travel plan appears credible and consistent with the rest of the file. It is important to note that a sponsorship letter is never sufficient on its own and does not replace other Schengen visa mandatory documents.
A key distinction must be made between a simple sponsorship letter and official sponsorship or accommodation documents, as the requirements vary by country. In many Schengen states, a free-format letter written and signed by the host is accepted. However, several countries require a formal, government-issued document, which replaces or outweighs a simple letter.
Country | Is a simple sponsorship letter enough? | Official document required |
|---|---|---|
Netherlands | ❌ Usually no | Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation (IND form with municipal legalisation) |
France | ❌ No | Attestation d’accueil issued by the local town hall |
Belgium | ❌ No | Engagement de prise en charge (Annex 3bis) |
Germany | ❌ No | Verpflichtungserklärung issued by local authorities |
Spain | ✅ Often yes | No nationwide mandatory form |
Italy | ✅ Often yes | No nationwide mandatory form |
Portugal | ✅ Often yes | No nationwide mandatory form |
Finally, a sponsorship letter only covers accommodation and/or financial support. It does not replace mandatory documents such as Schengen travel medical insurance (€30,000 minimum coverage). To complete their application smoothly, many travellers use HelloSafe to compare and take out Schengen-compliant travel insurance online, ensuring their file meets consular requirements before submission.
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What should a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa include?
A sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa must be concise, factual and precise. Consulates are not looking for long explanations, but for clear, verifiable information that aligns with the rest of the application. In practice, the letter should make it immediately clear who the sponsor is, who the applicant is, where and when the stay takes place, and who pays for what.
Vague wording, missing dates or unclear financial responsibility are among the most common weaknesses identified in sponsorship letters.
Element | What must be included | Required |
|---|---|---|
👤 Sponsor identity | Full name, full address in Schengen area, contact details | ✅ |
🛂 Applicant identity | Full name, passport number, nationality | ✅ |
🤝 Relationship | Family member, spouse, partner, friend (clearly stated) | ✅ |
📅 Travel dates | Exact arrival and departure dates | ✅ |
🏠 Accommodation | Full address where the applicant will stay | ✅ |
💶 Financial responsibility | Clear statement: accommodation only / expenses only / all costs | ✅ |
✍️ Signature | Handwritten or signed declaration by the sponsor | ✅ |
A sponsorship letter that checks all these boxes and remains fully consistent with the itinerary, accommodation proof and financial documents is generally considered clear and credible by Schengen consulates.
Who can write a sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa?
A sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa can be written by any person or entity able to credibly host and/or financially support the applicant during a short stay. What matters most to consular authorities is not the category of the sponsor, but the clarity of the relationship, the consistency of the documents, and the sponsor’s ability to support what is stated in the letter.
In practice, the most common sponsors are family members, spouses, partners, and friends legally residing in the Schengen area. A company or employer may also act as a sponsor in a business context, usually through an invitation letter on official letterhead rather than a personal sponsorship letter.
Family-based sponsorships, especially those involving a spouse or close relative, are generally straightforward as long as the relationship is clearly stated and supported. Sponsorship by friends or partners is also widely accepted, provided the purpose of the visit and accommodation arrangements are coherent. Sponsorships by distant acquaintances, however, tend to receive closer scrutiny.
Sponsor type | Usually accepted? |
|---|---|
👨👩👧 Spouse / family | ✅ Very common |
🤝 Close friend | ✅ Common |
🧑🤝🧑 Distant acquaintance | ⚠️ Risky |
🏢 Employer / company | ✅ Business only |
Regardless of who the sponsor is, the sponsorship letter must always remain consistent with the itinerary, accommodation proof, and financial documents included in the visa application.
Can a sponsorship letter cover all expenses for a Schengen visa?
Yes, a financial sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa can state that the sponsor covers all expenses related to the stay, including accommodation, daily living costs, and local expenses. In practice, however, consulates clearly distinguish between partial sponsorship (accommodation only) and full financial sponsorship, and they assess the application accordingly.
When the letter mentions accommodation only, the applicant is still expected to demonstrate sufficient personal funds for daily expenses. When the sponsor declares full financial responsibility, consulates will examine the sponsor’s financial capacity and supporting documents more closely.
Regardless of the wording used, consulates focus on three concrete points:
whether the sponsorship is clearly stated and unambiguouswhether the sponsor has sufficient and stable resources to support the declared expenseswhether the sponsorship is fully consistent with the itinerary, duration, accommodation, and relationship
A sponsorship letter that claims to cover all costs but is not supported by solid financial evidence is often considered weak.
💳 Why personal funds are still often required
Even with a full sponsor, most Schengen countries still ask applicants to show some personal financial means. This helps authorities verify that the applicant is not entirely dependent on a third party and can cover unforeseen expenses. It also contributes to the overall assessment of credibility and return intent.
Situation | Minimum amount |
|---|---|
🇫🇷 France (hosted with attestation d’accueil) | €32.50 per day |
🇧🇪 Belgium (hosted by a private individual) | €45 per day |
🏨 Hotel accommodation | €65–95 per day (depending on the country) |
These figures are indicative benchmarks used by consulates to assess whether the combination of sponsorship and personal funds is sufficient for the planned stay.
Do I still need my own bank statement if I have a sponsor?
In most cases, yes. Even when a sponsor provides accommodation or declares financial support, Schengen consulates usually expect the applicant to submit a personal bank statement as part of the application. Sponsorship reduces the required level of funds, but it rarely removes the requirement altogether.
There are limited situations where personal funds may be less critical, such as when an official sponsorship form is provided and the sponsor clearly covers all expenses. Even then, some consulates may still request minimal personal resources to assess the applicant’s overall credibility.
From a consular perspective, combining a credible sponsor with personal financial means offers stronger guarantees. It shows that the applicant is not entirely dependent on a third party and can manage unexpected expenses during the stay. This combination is consistently viewed as more reliable than sponsorship alone.
A common mistake is assuming that a sponsorship letter fully replaces the applicant’s own financial proof. Submitting only the sponsor’s documents, without any personal bank statement, often leads to requests for additional documents or outright refusal due to insufficient proof of means.
Document | Still required? |
|---|---|
💳 Personal bank statement | ✅ Usually |
🩺 Travel insurance | ✅ Always |
✈️ Flight itinerary | ✅ Yes |
🔗 Proof of ties to home country | ✅ Yes |
To avoid delays or refusals, applicants should treat sponsorship as complementary, not as a substitute for their own supporting documents.
Does a sponsorship letter need to be notarized?
It depends on the country.
There is no general Schengen-wide rule requiring a sponsorship letter to be notarized. Whether notarization or legalisation is required depends entirely on the destination country and, in some cases, on the type of stay (private visit vs tourism).
In many Schengen countries, a simple signed letter is sufficient. In others, authorities require a specific official document, which includes a form of legalisation carried out by a local authority rather than a private notary.
📍 Common country-specific requirements
- 🇫🇷 France: a sponsorship letter is not sufficient when staying with a private host. An attestation d’accueil, issued and validated by the local town hall, is required.
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: authorities require a Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form, with the sponsor’s signature legalised by the municipal authority.
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: financial sponsorship is formalised through an Engagement de prise en charge (Annex 3bis).
- 🇩🇪 Germany: sponsors must provide a Verpflichtungserklärung, a formal declaration issued by local authorities.
⚠️ Why unnecessary notarization can backfire
Submitting a notarized letter when it is not required does not strengthen a Schengen visa application. On the contrary, it may raise doubts about the applicant’s understanding of local procedures or trigger additional document checks. Consulates assess applications based on official country-specific requirements, not on the level of formality added voluntarily.
👉 The safest approach is always to follow the exact rules of the destination country, rather than assuming notarization is universally required.
Sponsorship letter for Schengen visa: sample & templates
Below you’ll find clear, realistic sponsorship letter samples that match what Schengen consulates expect in practice. Each template is written in neutral, non-migratory language, avoids risky wording, and can be copied or adapted depending on your situation.
🧳 General sponsorship letter sample (tourism)
Use this sample if you are hosting a friend or relative for a short tourist stay.
Subject: Sponsorship letter for Schengen visa application
I, [Sponsor’s full name], residing at [full address] in [city, country], hereby confirm that I will host [Applicant’s full name, passport number], during their stay in the Schengen area from [arrival date] to [departure date].
The purpose of the visit is tourism. During this period, [Applicant’s name] will stay at my address указан above.
I remain available should any additional information be required.
Sincerely,
[Sponsor’s full name]
[Signature]
[Contact details]
💍 Sponsorship letter for spouse / wife / husband
Use this sample for family or spousal visits. Keep the tone factual and non-immigration-focused.
Subject: Sponsorship letter for Schengen visa – family visit
I, [Sponsor’s full name], legally residing at [full address] in [country], confirm that my spouse, [Applicant’s full name, passport number], will be visiting me from [arrival date] to [departure date].
During this stay, my spouse will be accommodated at my residence указан above. The purpose of the visit is a short private stay.
I confirm that I will provide accommodation for the duration of the visit.
Sincerely,
[Sponsor’s full name]
[Signature]
[Contact details]
💶 Financial sponsorship letter (full coverage)
Use this sample when the sponsor covers accommodation and living expenses.
Subject: Financial sponsorship letter for Schengen visa
I, [Sponsor’s full name], residing at [full address] in [country], confirm that I will financially support [Applicant’s full name, passport number] during their stay in the Schengen area from [arrival date] to [departure date].
I will cover accommodation, daily living expenses, and local costs related to the stay.
This sponsorship is provided for a short-term visit only.
Sincerely,
[Sponsor’s full name]
[Signature]
[Contact details]
👉 Remember: these templates apply to countries accepting free-format letters. For destinations requiring official sponsorship or accommodation forms, these samples should not replace the mandatory document.
What are the most common mistakes that lead to refusal?
When a Schengen visa application is refused despite the presence of a sponsorship letter, the issue is rarely the concept of sponsorship itself. Refusals usually result from inconsistencies, missing elements, or poor alignment between the sponsorship letter and the rest of the file.
Consulates assess the application as a whole. A single weak or contradictory element can undermine an otherwise solid sponsorship.
❌ Common mistake | ✅ Best practice |
|---|---|
📅 Travel dates in the sponsorship letter do not match the itinerary | Ensure all documents show identical dates |
🏠 Accommodation address differs from booking or declaration | Use one single address consistently across the file |
🔄 Sponsorship contradicts other documents (tourism vs private visit) | Align the purpose of travel everywhere |
📝 Letter is vague or overly legalistic | Use clear, simple, factual language |
💶 Financial responsibility not clearly stated | Specify exactly who pays what |
🩺 No valid travel medical insurance | Include Schengen-compliant insurance (€30,000 minimum) |
📄 Using a letter where an official form is required | Follow country-specific requirements |
In practice, the strongest applications are those where the sponsorship letter fits naturally into the overall narrative of the trip and does not attempt to compensate for missing or weak documents.
Is travel insurance required even with a sponsorship letter?
Yes. Travel medical insurance is a legal requirement for all Schengen visa applications, regardless of whether the stay is sponsored or not. A sponsorship letter can cover accommodation and expenses, but it never replaces insurance, which is assessed as a separate and mandatory document.
Schengen rules require insurance with a minimum medical coverage of €30,000, including emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation. The policy must be valid for the entire duration of the stay and cover all Schengen countries, not just the destination country.
From a consular perspective, insurance remains independent from sponsorship because it protects public health systems and ensures that medical costs will not be borne by the host country or the sponsor in case of emergency.
➡️ Many applicants choose to arrange compliant Schengen travel insurance online to ensure their file is complete before submission.
To do so, travellers often use HelloSafe to compare Schengen-compliant insurance policies and subscribe online in just a few minutes, making sure the coverage meets all consular requirements before lodging their application.
Get your instant, compliant Schengen visa certificateFAQ
Yes. A friend can sponsor a Schengen visa, provided they are legally residing in a Schengen country and the relationship is clearly stated. Friend sponsorships are common for private visits, as long as the purpose of travel, accommodation and financial responsibilities are coherent. Consulates mainly assess credibility and consistency, not the personal nature of the relationship.
In most cases, yes. A sponsorship letter submitted as a PDF is generally accepted, especially when applications are lodged through visa centres or online portals. However, for countries requiring an official sponsorship or accommodation form, the original document (or a scanned copy of the official form) may be mandatory. Always follow the destination country’s checklist.
Yes, a sponsor may invite more than one applicant, but this increases scrutiny. Consulates will verify whether the sponsor has sufficient accommodation capacity and financial resources to host or support multiple visitors at the same time. Each applicant should have a separate sponsorship letter or be clearly listed in a single official document.
Sponsorship itself does not increase refusal risk. However, a poorly drafted or inconsistent sponsorship letter can weaken an application. Refusals typically occur when the sponsorship contradicts other documents, lacks financial credibility, or appears inconsistent with the purpose of travel.
No. A sponsorship letter should be specific to each trip, with exact dates and purpose. Reusing an old letter with outdated information can raise doubts and may lead to refusal. A new letter should be issued for every visa application, even if the sponsor remains the same.
