You will need a Schengen Visa if you intend to travel to any of these countries:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. LatviaLiechtenstein
14. Lithuania
15. Luxembourg
16. Malta
17. Netherlands
18. Norway
19. Poland
20. Portugal
21. Slovakia
22. Slovenia
23. Spain
24. Sweden
25. Switzerland

If you are travelling to multiple European countries, the most pressing question would be: which embassy should I submit my application to?

We’ll make it easy:

FIRST: Submit your application to the embassy of the country where you will be staying the longest number of days.

For example, you will be staying in the following countries:

• Day 1 to 5 (AM): Vienna, Austria (5 DAYS)
• Day 5 (PM) to 8: Amsterdam, Netherlands (4 DAYS)
• Day 9 to 15: Berlin, Germany (7 DAYS)

In this case, you MUST send in your application to the German Embassy.

SECOND: If you will be staying an equal number of days in any of your destination, submit your application to the embassy of your first country of entry.

For example, you will be staying in the following countries:

• Day 1 to 5: Vienna, Austria (5 DAYS)
• Day 6: Amsterdam, Netherlands (1 DAY)
• Day 7 to 11: Berlin, Germany (5 DAYS)

In this case, you MUST send in your application to the Austrian Embassy as it is your first point of entry.

In my case, I applied to the German Embassy since I would be staying in Germany the longest although I did travel to multiple Schengen countries. 

1. Your original passport, valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of your arrival. Your passport must have a six-month validity from your expected arrival date. If not, you will need to renew your passport. To schedule for your passport renewal will take time, from 2-6 months, depending on which city/province you are applying in. To set an appointment, click here. Click this link to read more about renewing your Philippine Passport. 
2. Your old passports
3. Travel itinerary and purpose of travel.
4. Details regarding your return journey (airline details, date, flight number, cost). NOTE: NO flight ticket needed
5. Bank Statement – showing transactions from the previous six months, with a confirmation by the bank
6. Hotel-voucher or confirmation of the hotel to prove that the accommodation has already been paid for 
7. Travel health insurance for the full duration of your stay in the Schengen areas, with a minimum coverage sum of 30,000 Euros. Philippine insurances must be accredited and given in the original with a Xerox, German insurances are accepted as a Xerox, Fax or scan.
8. An employment letter printed on company header which includes your designation, salary, and length of employment.
9. For students: A letter from your school confirming your enrolment during the semester and with permission for you to be absent on the days you are planning to travel.
10. For business owners: Business registration documents with your name and date you started with your business operations.
11. Proof of properties, if any. Vehicle registrations are not required.
12. If someone else is is providing financial support to you, documents that show they have sufficient resources/funds to shoulder your stay.
13. Letter of invitation if someone else is providing financial support or if you will be staying at their homes. The letter should include their Germany address.
14. One passport sized photo.

Remember to photocopy all the original documents: your valid passport and all your old passports. You can download the checklist of requirements here: SCHENGEN (GERMANY) Checklist

All documents must be in English. Or translated to English.

• Single-entry. Once you leave the certain Schengen Area you entered the visa validity expires.
• Double-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area twice during the validity of your visa. For example: double-entry visa for July 1 to September 1, 2018 means that you can enter Schengen twice between July 1 to September 1, 2018. Once you are out of the country for the second time the visa expires.
• Multiple-entry visa allows its holder to go in and out of the Schengen Area as pleased. However, this visa allows its holder to stay in a Schengen Zone for maximum 90 days within half the year, starting from the day one crosses the border between a Schengen member country and the non-Schengen member country.

First things first, you need to complete the Schengen visa application online. For this, you will of course need a stable internet connection. Click here to start your application: https://videx.diplo.de/videx/desktop/index.html#start

This page will ask you to provide details of your employment, passport, passport expiry date and your itinerary. So prepare the documents set out in the checklist.

NOTE: Bring a printout of the form to the appointment.

Once the online application completed, you need to schedule an appointment here: https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_realmList.do?locationCode=mani&request_locale=en

You need to book early. During peak season between March and August the visa section is booked out for several weeks in advance. Also, each applicant - including children - will need their own appointment (no group appointments).

NOTE: Remember to print out your appointment confirmation. You won't be allowed inside the embassy without it.

NOTE from the German Embassy's website: Appointments are currently only available in 6 weeks time. You are advised to make your appointment in at least 3 months before your trip.

Of course, if you are from Cebu or other areas outside of Metro Manila, you will need to book a flight to show up for your scheduled appointment. The German Embassy's address is: 25th floor, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila.

I recommend booking a flight that arrives a day before your scheduled interview to allow for possible flight delays or even cancellations.

1. You should be on time for your appointment. Remember to wear something presentable. No shorts, slippers or sandos please. Remember to bring the printout of your email appointment. They won’t let you in unless you have it.
2. Once inside, get a number and wait for it to be called.
3. Once called, give the interviewer your requirements and printed application form.
4. Remember to answer directly and politely. Some of the questions will be about your trip, where you plan to go, who will be paying for your trip, your hotel address, or if you have travelled overseas before. Keep your answers short.
5. You will then be called again to have your biometrics taken.
6. You will also be asked to fill up a shipping form which will be used to mail your passport back to you (this does not guarantee that you will be given a visa though).

• Children up to 6 years = FREE
• Children from 6 to 12 years = €35
• Applicants older than 12 years = €60

Good luck on your application!