Travel & Study

30.01.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to PHILIPPINES

Useful information on traveling from the Philippines to the EU and for studying there.

VISA

What is the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Area is an area within which European Union (EU) citizens and many non-EU nationals staying legally in the EU can freely circulate without being subjected to border checks. While having abolished their internal borders, Schengen countries have also tightened controls at their common external border on the basis of common Schengen rules to ensure the security of those living or travelling within the Schengen Area.

Today, the Schengen Area encompasses most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. Bulgaria and Romania became the newest EU Member States to join the Schengen Area as of 31 March 2024; any person crossing the internal air and sea borders of these two countries will no longer be subject to checks. Additionally, the non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also Schengen Area members.

Citizens from the Philippines are required to hold a visa when travelling to the Schengen Area.

The EU has a common list of countries whose citizens must have a visa when crossing the external borders and a list of countries whose citizens are exempt from that requirement. These lists are set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

Generally, a short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen States entitles its holder to travel throughout the 29 Schengen States for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visas for visits exceeding that period remain subject to national procedures.

Where can I get a Schengen Visa?

You can apply for a Schengen Visa at any participating country consulate in the Philippines.

If you plan on visiting more than one country in your travels in Europe, you should visit the embassy of the country that you plan on spending the most time in. In the event of there not being a particular country where you would spend a clear majority of you time, you should apply for the Schengen Visa at the embassy of the country you will travel to first.

What do I need in order to apply for a Schengen Visa?

In order to apply for a visa, you need:

a passport with at least two empty pages. The passport should have been issued within the last 10 years. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen territory, or, in the case of multiple journeys, the date on which you intend to leave after the last stay.
a visa application form completed and signed.

See FAQ on Schengen visas

Please find information as regards the list of supporting documents to be submitted by Filipino applicants for short stay Schengen visas on the following link. The complete list of documents can be consulted on the website of the Consulate where the application is launched. During the processing time, the Consulate may, in individual cases, ask you to submit additional information or documents or you may be contacted for an interview.

Insurance

When applying for a Schengen visa, applicants will be required to prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States. Please find below a list of insurers whose travel insurance policies have been checked and are confirmed to comply with the Schengen visa requirements. This list is non-exhaustive.

Allied bankers
BPI MS Insurance
CHUBB
MAAGAP Insurance (formerly MAA General Assurance PH)
Manila Bankers Assurance
Oona
Prudential Guarantee
Sterling Insurance Company
Visayan Surety

Study in Europe

What are the benefits of studying in Europe?

Choice and academic mobility: there are over 1,300 institutions offering high-quality study programs in an international environment and a variety of course options and internship opportunities for you to choose.

Research and Innovation: Europe has a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for education and beyond that, it is also a hotbed of research and innovation, home to first-class resources and top scientists. This can be important for the next steps in your professional life.

Affordability: Studying in Europe is generally quite affordable, as tuition fees are very low compared to the top-quality education that you will receive.

Travel: Once you are in the Schengen area you will be able to travel all over the continent and discover the beauty of Europe.

Language learning: Most students study in English: outside of class, there are also opportunities to pick up a new language: a major advantage on the labor market.

Working: In Europe, students have the right to work at least 15 hours a week. With the new visa rules (in effect since May 2018), students and researchers are allowed to stay at least 9 months in Europe after finishing their studies or research in order to look for a job or to set up a business. This can be valuable on a CV.

Practical information

For those seeking more information about studying in the European Union, the European Commission's official study portal "STUDY IN EUROPE" provides useful, comprehensive information about studying in each of the EU Member States.

The EU Delegation to the Philippines has promoted studying in Europe via the organisation of the European Higher Education Fair. This annual event reflects the EU's commitment to providing a diverse array of opportunities, resources, and insights for Filipino students as they navigate the challenges of our dynamic times. More information can be found on https://www.ehefphilippines.com/

Erasmus+

The Erasmus+ 2021-2027 is the European Union’s programme to support projects, partnerships, events and mobility in the areas of education, training, youth and sport. Erasmus+ funds academic mobility and cooperation projects for individuals and organisations worldwide. Among them are:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) are study programmes at the master level. Erasmus+ funds scholarships for students to take part in these programmes, covering the cost of tuition, travel and living allowance. EMJMD also supports the participation of scholars in teaching, research, etc.
International Credit Mobility (ICM) supports the mobility of individuals enrolled or employed at a higher education institution, including: student mobility for studies or traineeship, staff mobility for teaching or training.
Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) projects are aimed at modernising and reforming higher education institutions, developing curricula, improving governance and building relationships between higher education institutions and enterprises.
Jean Monnet (JM) activities aim to develop EU studies worldwide by supporting Modules, Chairs and Centres of Excellence to promote excellence in teaching and research on the European integration process at the higher education level.

Opportunities in the higher education sector are open to the Philippines. To learn more about the opportunities it can offer to organisations and individuals from outside the EU, please visit this page.

EU Member States Embassies

Austria

Embassy of Austria 8th floor, One Orion Building

1th Avenue corner 38th Street
Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City, Philippines

Tel.: +63 2 8817 9191 Fax.: +63 2 881 34238

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