Europe is home to the world’s most advanced healthcare systems. People come from different European countries for medical treatment in fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, immunology, and others. If you are from a third country and want to seek medical care in Europe, you will require a Schengen Medical visa.
A Medical Visa is a type-C Schengen Visa for a short stay that allows you to enter the Schengen Area and receive medical treatment for your health condition.
A Medical Treatment in Schengen The holder of a visa may enter a Schengen-area nation to obtain medical treatment in a Schengen healthcare facility.
If you’re going to Europe for medical treatment but aren’t sure if you need to apply for a Schengen Medical visa or what documents you’ll need to bring, this post is for you.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Schengen Medical Visa?
- One fully filled and signed Schengen Visa application form.
- Please keep in mind that you must state “medical reasons” as the reason for your journey on the application form.
- Two current images (please see our Schengen Visa photo requirements guide for more information)
- A valid passport that is no more than ten years old and has at least two blank pages.
- Older passports with Schengen Visas if applicable
- Travel Itinerary: Round-trip travel plans or bookings
- Schengen Travel Insurance with a minimum of 30,000 euros coverage
- Proof of Accommodation such as:
1. Sponsorship Letter of Accommodation
2. Hotel Bookings or Reservations
3. Rental Agreement: If you are rented apartment or home in Schengen Country.
- Paid Fee Proof
- Proof of financial: means showing you can afford to fund the medical bills and other expenses throughout your stay in the Schengen Area
- Last 6 months Bank Statements
- Sponsorship Letter: Contact details of sponsor’s, their bank statements, and their Id/passport copy
- Advance Payment proof of medical Treatment and last 3 to 6 month Bank statement.
- Should have verbal note from your country’s ministry of health which should state that, the government country is going to pay your medical treatment.
- Copy of a certified birth certificate A letter from a doctor, clinic, or hospital in your own country stating that you require medical treatment.
- A letter of invitation from an EU clinic Cover letter to Visa officials stating the reason for your trip Proof of Visa fee payment If appropriate
- Civil Status Proof: Need to submit certificate of marriage, Children birth certificate, death certificate of spouse.
If available, correspondence between the hospital, clinic, or doctor who is sending the patient and the one who is getting care.
- If hired:
- Employment agreement.
- Employer permission to take time off.
- Statements of earnings dating back three to six months.
- A letter from the employer stating that they have no objections (NOC).
- COE, or Certificate of Employment.
- ITR, or personal income tax return.
- If you are self-employed:
- Certificate of Organizational Registration.
- Business permit.
- Certificates of Income from Business.
- The most recent 3-6 months’ worth of company bank statements.
- Income Tax Return for Businesses.
- If you attend a university:
- A letter from a student saying that their school or university has no issues with them visiting the Schengen Area.
- A letter certifying a student’s status as enrolled in school.
- If Retired:
- Latest 6 month Bank statement.
Paperwork verifying the Applicant’s Need for Medical Treatment:
- A letter from a doctor/clinic/hospital in the visa candidate’s country of origin stating that he or she needs medical treatment in the specific Schengen nation.
- Official proof of Schengen visa appointment in the EU from the receiving medical facility
- Confirmation of payment in advance for treatment or monetary agreements with a medical doctor in the Schengen Area.
- Conversation between the transmitting and receiving medical doctors.
- A guarantee letter from the applicant to ensure the patient’s ability to cope with the additional medical costs (where unforeseen medical treatment costs are expected).
- Accommodation in the Medical Clinic has been confirmed.
Minors must meet the following additional requirements:
- Certificate of Birth. Please provide the original certificate as well as a copy.
- Coming from the other parent. If applicable, an official document from the other parent confirming that he or she has no objections to their child traveling with you.
- Both of my parents. A legal document from you and your child’s other parent declaring that they have no objections to your child traveling with a third person, if relevant.
- Parent’s death certificate. In the event that one or both parents have died.
What is the procedure for obtaining a Schengen Medical Treatment Visa?
- Verify whether a visa is required for transitory stays in the Schengen Zone.
- Determine the location where your application must be submitted.
- Fill out the brief-stay visa application.
- Gather the necessary paperwork for a Schengen Visa for Medical Purposes.
- Set up a meeting.
- Attend the interview with all the necessary paperwork in hand.
- Make the visa payment.
- Await the embassy’s response to your application
Where Can I Apply for a Schengen Medical visa?
You should apply for a Schengen Medical visa at the consulate or embassy of the nation you are visiting in the Schengen area, or at a Visa Application Center affiliated with the embassy.
If you want to visit numerous Schengen countries, you should apply through the embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Center for the country where you will spend the most time. If you want to spend an equal amount of time in each of the countries, you must apply at the embassy, consulate, or related Visa Application Center of the country where you will arrive first.
When will you be able to obtain a Schengen Medical visa?
The processing time for all Schengen visas is typically 15 days. However, depending on the applicant’s health, you may be able to acquire your visa sooner. You must give proof as quickly as possible that you require a Schengen Medical visa.
Similarly, you can apply for a Schengen visa 3 months in advance, and 2 weeks before you want to go.
In exceptional circumstances, Schengen country embassies will process a medical treatment visa application even if it is submitted more than 2 weeks later.
How Long Can I Stay in the Schengen Area with a Schengen Medical visa?
A Schengen Medical visa is valid for up to 90 days in a six-month period. If you need to receive medical treatment in the Schengen zone for an extended period of time, you should apply for a long-stay National Visa for Medical Treatment in the corresponding nation.
Can I extend my Schengen Medical visa?
You may be able to extend your medical treatment visa in certain circumstances. These are some examples:
- If you are unable to visit or leave a Schengen country because it would endanger your life.
- If you cannot discontinue your current medical treatment without jeopardizing your life.
- If your life will not be jeopardized if your current medical treatment is terminated, the Schengen authorities will not extend your Schengen medical treatment visa. If you continue to seek medical treatment beyond 90 days, they will request that you apply for a national medical treatment visa in the appropriate country.