Updated: July 2026 · Official sources below
- Fee: €90 adult / €45 children 6 to under 12 / under 6 free — in force since June 11, 2024. (source)
- Decision: 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 (Art. 23 Reg. 810/2009). (source)
- Where to book by country: Spain via BLS (Quito/Guayaquil), France/Italy via VFS (Quito), Germany directly at the embassy, Netherlands at the Spanish consulate.
- Mandatory medical insurance: minimum coverage €30,000.
What does the process involve?
The Schengen Type C visa allows free travel across 29 Schengen Area countries (including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, among others) for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. It is Europe's most versatile visa, as with a single visa you can visit multiple countries.
The process includes determining which consulate or embassy to apply at (it must be the country where you'll spend the most time, or the first country of entry if visiting several for equal time), completing the official application form, gathering all documentation, scheduling the appointment at the centre for that country (in Ecuador the channel depends on the destination — see the table below), providing biometric data and attending the in-person appointment.
Required Documents (Mandatory)
- Schengen visa application form
- Recent ID-size photo
- Valid passport
- Travel medical insurance (min. €30,000 coverage)
- Valid bank certificate and bank-stamped account statements from the last 6 months
- Bank-stamped credit card certificate and statement
- Employment certificate and payslips from the last 6 months
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Accommodation booking for the entire stay
- Copy of national ID document
- Visa fee payment
Optional Supporting Documents
The Consular Office may request additional documents or data to assess the application. The more complete your file, the higher the probability of approval.
- Original and apostilled birth certificate
- Detailed day-by-day travel itinerary
- Tax return from the last year
- Business registration or company certificate (if self-employed or entrepreneur)
- Company shareholder letter (if applicable)
- Notarized invitation letter (if visiting someone in Europe)
- Real estate ownership certificate or vehicle registration
- Previous travel history (copies of past visas and stamps)
- Marriage certificate or children's birth certificates
- Enrollment certificate with schedule (if student)
📋 Key Facts
- Type: Type C Visa (Short Stay)
- Cost: €90 (adults) / €45 (children 6 to <12); under 6 exempt
- Validity: Up to 5 years (based on history)
- Max stay: 90 days per 180 days
- Countries: 29 Schengen Area countries
- Timeline: 6 months to 15 days before travel
- Processing: 15 to 45 calendar days
🌍 Schengen Area Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
📍How to Apply?
💡 Important rule: You must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend the most time. If you will visit several countries for equal time, apply at the embassy of the first country of entry to the Schengen area.
Step 1: Determine which embassy or consulate to apply at
Identify the main country of your itinerary. If a consulate doesn't have direct representation in your country, another Schengen country may represent it — check with the destination country's embassy to confirm.
Step 2: Book the appointment by country (BLS, VFS or embassy)
In Ecuador the channel depends on the country you apply for. These are the specific centres (verified as of July 2026):
| Country | Where you apply in Ecuador | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | BLS International — Quito and Guayaquil | Open |
| France | VFS Global — Quito (from Feb 2026, this channel only) | Open |
| Italy | VFS Global — Quito | Open |
| Germany | Embassy in Quito (free appointment, direct) | Open |
| Netherlands | Applied through the Spanish consulate | Open |
If a country has no direct representation in Ecuador, another Schengen country may represent it — confirm with the destination embassy.
Step 3: Submit documents and biometric data
Attend your appointment with all documents organized. Your facial image and fingerprints will be taken. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints. If your fingerprints were taken within the last 59 months, they may not be required again (unless poor quality).
Step 4: Wait for the decision (15 to 45 days)
The legal timeframe is 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 days if additional documents are requested. You must submit the application between 6 months and 15 days before the travel date.
💡 Official Schengen Visa Tips
- •Medical insurance is MANDATORY and must cover a minimum of €30,000 EUR, including repatriation and emergency hospital care across the entire Schengen area. For multiple-entry visas, insurance must cover the first trip.
- •Your passport must NOT have been issued more than 10 years ago, even if still valid. Check the issue date before applying.
- •Submit the application between 6 months and 15 days before your trip. During peak season, appointments fill up fast — book early.
- •Bank statements must be bank-stamped and cover the last 6 months. Certificates that can be electronically validated are preferred by the consulate.
- •Organize your itinerary day by day. European consulates highly value detailed trip planning.
- •If your visa is denied, you can file an appeal at the Consular Office. Check the specific deadlines and procedures of the consulate where you applied.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I book the appointment by country: BLS, VFS or embassy?
| Country | Where you apply | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | BLS International — Quito and Guayaquil | Open |
| France | VFS Global — Quito (from Feb 2026, this channel only) | Open |
| Italy | VFS Global — Quito | Open |
| Germany | Embassy in Quito (free appointment, direct) | Open |
| Netherlands | Applied through the Spanish consulate | Open |
Tactical tip: per the centre itself, BLS Spain releases new slots every Thursday at 20:00 — verify the day when you book. It is the detail almost nobody consolidates.
What is the EES, and does it apply if I have a Schengen visa?
Yes: since April 10, 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational and records fingerprints and a photo of every non-EU traveler at the border, with or without a visa; it replaced passport stamping. (source)
Does an Ecuadorian need ETIAS?
No: ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities and Ecuador is not one; besides, ETIAS is not yet operating as of July 2026. Your Schengen visa is enough. (source)
Official Sources
- European Commission — Schengen visa policy
- Council of the EU — Schengen Area
- European Commission — Schengen visa fee raised to €90 (June 11, 2024)
- EUR-Lex — Visa Code (Reg. 810/2009, Art. 23: 15 days)
- EU — What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)
- EU — ETIAS: who should apply
- BLS International — Spain visas in Ecuador (Quito and Guayaquil)
- SchengenVisaInfo.com — Complete Schengen visa guide
Information verified July 2026. Requirements may change. Always check official sources before applying.
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