After traveling for the first time in Europe, I couldn't wait to go back. The top of my travel bucket list has included the Scandinavian countries since I've already visited my dream destination cities like Rome and Paris.

So for my second time in Europe, I decided to apply for a Schengen visa through Denmark. Why Denmark? Well, I wanted it to be my first stop on this trip plus it's where I'll be staying the longest. Read on to learn more about how to apply for a Danish Schengen visa.

How to Apply for Danish Schengen Visa

In this post, I will be discussing the following:


What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a travel document that allows the holder to enter any of the 26 countries that are part of the Schengen agreement for a certain period. 

Here are the countries where a Schengen visa is valid:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Where to Get a Schengen Visa

When applying for a Schengen visa, you can't just apply through any country. Below is a set of guidelines to know where to apply.

  • Apply through the embassy of the country where you'll be traveling. If you're only going to Denmark, then you have to apply through their embassy. 
  • If you're visiting multiple countries, then apply at the embassy of the country where you'll be staying the longest. This has to match the itinerary you'll be submitting during your application.
  • If you're visiting multiple countries and spending exactly the same number of days in each country, then apply at the embassy of the Schengen country you'll be entering first.

To apply for a Schengen Visa through the Danish embassy, you have to course your application through VFS Application Center. 

You have to apply at least fifteen (15) days before your intended travel date since the processing of applications through Denmark can take that long. The earliest you can apply is three (3) months before your intended travel date.

How to Get a Danish Schengen Visa

The process of getting a visa may vary slightly from one country to another, so only follow this if you are applying through Germany. Here is the step-by-step process of applying for a Danish Schengen Visa.

  1. Start by creating an account through Denmark's Visa Application Portal. Follow the prompts to create an account and verify your email.
  2. Once your account has been created, fill up the application form online. Make sure to review all your information carefully before submitting the form. 
  3. Pay the Visa Application Fee which costs €80 or around PHP5,000. VFS Denmark isn't accepting the payment on-site so it has to be done online. You can pay with your credit card or debit card.
  4. The next step is to set up an appointment with VFS. Create an account at the VFS Application Center for Denmark. 
  5. After creating an account, log in and set an appointment. There will also be a processing fee which you can pay on-site.
  6. Once you have an appointment, prepare the supporting documents for your application, which will be listed below.
  7. On the day of your appointment, bring all the documents and a printed copy of the Appointment Letter, which will be emailed to you. Be there at the VFS Application Center fifteen (15) minutes before your scheduled time.

Even though you've already submitted the application form online, it won't be processed until you've submitted all your supporting documents and had your biometrics taken at the VFS Application Center.

During the biometrics part of your appointment, you'll be asked to remove your earrings, necklaces, and colored contact lenses if you're wearing them. You also can't bring your bag inside the application center. There will be lockers for you to use but you have to pay for them so I'd advise just bringing a small purse for your wallet and phone.

You'll also be given the option to pick up your passport or have it delivered. If you opted for the latter, you have to pay a courier fee. You can also opt to receive status updates through text but there's a fee for that. 

How long you'll be at the application center depends on how busy it is. Overall, it took me about 15 minutes inside the application center since there was no one but me applying through Denmark at the time.

Danish Schengen Visa Requirements

Below are the requirements for applying for a Danish Schengen Visa. Now, the requirements for applying for a Schengen Visa are almost the same for all countries. So you may use this as a general guide. But I advise checking for additional requirements if you will be applying through another country.
  • Passport - valid at least 3 months from the end of intended stay and must have at least two empty pages
  • 1 passport-size photo with white background
  • Cover Letter - with a short explanation of your purpose of travel and your intention to return to the Philippines
  • Detailed Trip Itinerary
  • Travel health insurance with a coverage of at least €30,000
  • If you are applying as a tourist:
    • Daily itinerary to explain the purpose of your trip - make it as detailed as possible
    • Proof of hotel bookings
    • Bank statement showing your transactions for the past 6 months
  • If you are invited by a friend or family member:
    • Invitation letter, containing the host's address, your purpose of travel, and details about your travel and stay
    • Proof of relationship with the inviting person
    • Proof of their financial capacity if they are paying for your expenses
  • Roundtrip flight reservation - not an actual booking, just a reservation only
  • If you are employed:
    • Most recent Annual Income Tax Return
    • Certificate of Employment
    • Leave of Absence approval letter
    • Payslip for the last 3 months
  • If you are self-employed:
    • Most recent Annual Income Tax Return
    • BIR registration (for freelancers), or DTI registration (for business owners)
    • Invoices
  • If you are a student:
    • Proof of enrollment
    • Letter of exemption from studies (if applicable)
  • Other proofs of rootedness in the Philippines:
    • Proof of land or property ownership in the Philippines
    • Proof of car or vehicle ownership

Take note that for Denmark, you no longer need to bring a printed copy of the Schengen Visa Application Form since you already filled it out online.

As mentioned previously, application processing can take up to fifteen (15) days, but I got my passport back after only 9 business days so it really varies. 

I hope this post was helpful in terms of how to get a Schengen Visa from the Philippines. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below and I'll be happy to answer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I have to book my flight and hotels even if I don't have a visa yet?

A. You don't have to book your flight yet. However, you need to have a flight reservation or itinerary. As for your hotel, also have to have a confirmed booking. I offer flight itineraries and hotel bookings for visa applications. You can check out the list of my services here.

Q. I'll be staying with a friend in the Schengen territory. Do I still need a hotel booking?

A. No, but make sure to have an invitation letter from your friend indicating their address. They also have to provide a copy of their passport.

Q. How detailed does my itinerary have to be?

A. Give as much detail as possible. Include the places that you want to visit per day and your planned mode of transportation if you will be traveling to different cities or countries in the Schengen territory. It shows that you are honest about your intention to travel, which is tourism. Don't forget to include the name, address, and contact number of your hotel.

Q. I haven't traveled outside of the Philippines yet. Will I be granted a visa if I apply?

A. Generally speaking, you get better chances of approval if you already have a good travel history abroad. But if you have sufficient means to support your trip, then there's no harm in trying.

Q. I was refused a Schengen visa. Can I file an appeal?

A. Yes, you can and the appeal process can take weeks of months, depending on the consulate. The refusal letter will include instructions on how to do it. However, filing an appeal won't guarantee that the decision will be reversed and that you'll be granted a visa.