It’s particularly common these days to see many applying for a Schengen visa due to its accessibility to other European countries, and the visa process is not so rigorous. When applying for a Schengen visa from Nigeria, it will interest you to know that it may be easier or harder to get your visa from some countries. So, if you seek easy Schengen countries to obtain a visa from Nigeria, read further.
If you have been contemplating visiting the Schengen region, you are in the right place, where you will get useful information on how to apply for a Schengen visa.
A Schengen visa, permits qualified people to travel freely within the 27 Schengen Area nations. See the countries within the Schengen zone.
Schengen Countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic (Joined January 2023)
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from Nigeria
According to the European Commission, you must submit your Schengen visa application at least 15 days before the start date of your trip.
Nonetheless, the Consulate may request additional documentation or require more time to review your application. That’s why you should plan to apply 30–60 days before the start of your trip.
Where to apply
You must apply for your Schengen visa in the country of your permanent residence. To apply, pick an appointment date at the embassy or consulate, as the case may be. You must go to the consulate that covers your home address.
6 Easy Schengen countries to obtain a visa from Nigeria
1. Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the easiest Schengen countries to obtain a Schengen visa from Nigeria. The country may not be one of the most popular destinations for people going on vacation; however, it is worth visiting.
The most common Schengen visa to choose is the short-stay (Type C or “tourist”) visa. It allows travel to Lithuania (and to/between all 27 Schengen countries) for up to 90 days in any 180 days. To stay longer, you’ll need a national Lithuanian (or Type D) visa.
To apply for a Lithuania Schengen visa in Nigeria, you have to go through the Belgian Embassy in Abuja or the French Consulate in Lagos.
Visa fee is €80.
Documents
- Your passport (issued within the last 10 years, with a validity of more than 3 months after the planned date of exit from the Schengen area)
- A Schengen visa application form (duly completed and signed).
- Two recent passport photos
- Your itinerary
- Travel insurance (NOTE: Travel insurance is mandatory and must meet several criteria to be accepted with your visa application—but more on that below.)
- Proof of sufficient funds (if applicable)
- Proof of the purpose of the trip, such as a letter of invitation (if applicable),
- Your residence permit and/or resident card (if applicable)
- Proof of accommodation (if applicable)
- Proof of socio-economic and professional stability (if applicable)
- For minors: certified parental or guardian authorization.
2. Italy
The Schengen visa application for Italy is one of the easiest, and visa applications know their fate in time. If you’re planning to visit any of the Schengen countries, it may be wise to apply to the Italian embassy in Nigeria through the embassy or consulate in Lagos or Port Harcourt.
The steps required are:
- Complete your application form.
- Prepare your supporting documents.
- Book an appointment.
- Provide your biometric data at the visa application center.
Documents:
- Italian visa application form
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Pictures.
- Civil status documents.
- Copies of previous visas.
- Travel insurance.
- Proof of travel.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- Cover letter.
- Documents based on employment status.
- Visa fees.
| Italy Embassy in Abuja | Italy Consulate in Lagos | Italy Consulate in Port Harcourt |
| Address: 21st Crescent, off Constitution Avenue, Central Business District Abuja Nigeria | Address: 12 Walter Carrington Crescent PO Box 2161 Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria | Plot 92 Elelenwo Street, G.R.A. Phase I Rivers State Port Harcourt |
Visa Fee
| Category | Amount in EUR | Amount in naira |
| Adults | 80.00€ | 102 029,26 (check the current exchange rate) |
| Children (6-12 years old) | 40.00€ | 51 014,63 (check the current exchange rate) |
3. Ukraine
As a Nigerian planning to get a Schengen visa, you should consider Ukraine, especially now that there is an ongoing dispute between Ukraine and Russia, which frightens many travelers. Due to the lower demand for visa applications to Ukraine and because people may be afraid to travel, applying for a Ukrainian Schengen visa is now fast and easy to do.
In other words, the decrease means shorter processing times and less competition for appointment slots, so if you want to get a visa now, it’s a very good time.
Documents required:
1) A passport that should meet the following requirements:
be valid for at least three months after the stated date of departure from Ukraine;
have at least two blank visa-designated pages;
have a validity period of no longer than ten years;
2) one colored photo, 35 mm x 45 mm;
3) valid health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 EUR or equivalent in another currency. When a multi-entry visa is requested, the availability of health insurance valid for the first intended visit to Ukraine shall be considered. Holders of diplomatic or service passports shall be exempt from this requirement.
4) proof of the sufficient
financial means for the intended period of stay and return to the country of origin, transit to a third country, or the possibility to legally obtain sufficient financial means on the territory of Ukraine (at the rate of 1800 USD per 30-day stay).
Holders of diplomatic or service passports are exempt from this requirement.
5) payment of the consular fee, unless otherwise stipulated by Ukrainian legislation or international treaties.
6) Together with all items listed above, the following documents related to the purpose of entry must be submitted for visas.
| Address: | Plot 894, Olu Awotesu street, Jabi District, Abuja, FCT. (off Mr. Biggs) |
| Phone: | +234 8091155338; +234 8091155339 – Consular Section of the Embassy (queries by phone daily from 11:00 till 12:00 a.m.) |
| Email: | emb_ng@mfa.gov.ua consul_ng@mfa.gov.ua (for consular issues) |
4. Poland
The Republic of Poland is likewise a simpler nation to get a visa from. Recently, Nigerians have considered Poland among their preferred travel destinations. All thanks to its affordability in areas like studying and vacation purposes.
While getting a Polish visa from Nigeria seems easy, you must be prepared to book an appointment. Once you can book an appointment date and have all the required documents, you can rest assured of having your visa approved. See below how to book your visa appointment.
Documents
- A visa application form was filled out via the e-konsulat (wstawić hiperłącze) system, printed, and signed.
- A 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photo. The photo must be:
- sharp, taken against a white background and printed on high-quality paper,
- newer than 6 months,
- taken face-to-face, clearly showing the eyes and face from both sides, from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders, with the face covering 70–80% of the photo. The photo must be taken without any headwear.
- Passports issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas. If you have another valid passport, you should attach it to the visa application form.
- A copy of the passport page with personal data and a photo.
- A copy of the flight ticket or flight reservation, including the return flight.
- Applicants who are applying for a Schengen: The minimum amount of insurance is €30,000.
- A valid bank account statement issued by your bank or balance over the last 3 months.
- Regular income is generated by property.
- Proof of accommodation (for example, an official invitation or a hotel booking or reservation).
How to book an appointment
To apply for a visa, please book your appointment via the e-Konsulat: https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl/, selecting the right category „Schengen Visa-Register Form”.
Dates of appointments are dispatched in the system on the last Monday of the month at 9.30 am (local time). If the said dates fall on a holiday, the visa slots will be released on the next working day at the same time. The opening of new slots is subject to general availability and limits per day.
The visa fee is 80 euros.
Consular Section, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abuja
| Address | 10, River Niger St., off Danube St., Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria |
| Tel.: | +234 805 200 0204 |
| E-mail: | abuja.consulate@msz.gov.pl |
5. Slovakia
Nigerian citizens seeking a visa to the Schengen area, Slovakia in particular, must satisfy certain specified procedures from the Slovakian Embassy or Consulate. Slovakia is a country that is included in the Schengen Area; however, the visa application procedure might be slightly different from that of other Schengen states.
Visa documents:
- Schengen or Slovak visa application form, complete and signed.
- Parents or legal guardians should sign the form for minors and attach proof of legal authority over the child.
- Passport-size photographs (3 x 3.5cm)
- Trip return ticket.
- Travel documents (international driving license, vehicle insurance, etc.) for road travelers.
- Accommodation reservation confirmation.
- Sufficient funds for the length and purpose of the trip.
- Valid travel insurance.
- Invitation letter.
- Consular interview.
Slovakia has an Embassy in Nigeria
| Name | Slovakia (SK) Representation in Nigeria (NG) |
| Address | 21st Crescent, Off Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja, Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria |
| emb.abuja@mzv.sk | |
| Phone number | +2349092243995 +2349092243997 |
6. Greece
Travel to Greece is among the easy Schengen countries to obtain a visa from Nigeria. For Nigerian citizens, a Schengen visa to Greece is required. The Greece Schengen Visa is also known as the Greece Tourist Type C Visa.
With this tourist visa, the stay is limited to 90 days, and the visa is valid for 6 months, or, in other words, 90 days. Obtaining a visa to Greece is very quick and being one of the countries in the Schengen Zone, scoring a visa from Nigeria is easy.
Documents:
- Documents to be provided by applicants traveling for tourism (Schengen)
- Criminal record of the last three years: Certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For non-Nigerian nationals certified by your Embassy.
- Statement occupying the property (e.g., house)—certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For non-Nigerian nationals certified by your Embassy.
- Original certificate of employment for the last three years and an employment letter stating the days of leave.
- Tax clearance certificate of the last three years, certified by the issuing authority and M.F.A.
- For non-Nigerian nationals certified by your Embassy.
- Salary slips from the last three years
- Bank statement and balance of account over the last three years: certified at least by one official and from the head of the bank (name, surname, rank, signature, and bank’s seal).
- Hotel reservation
- A copy of the flight ticket or flight reservation, including the return flight.
- Travel insurance
| Address | Plot 6, Seguela Street, Wuse II, Off Ibb Way, P.O. Box 11525, Abuja |
| gremb_abj@mfa.gr | |
| Phone number | +234 9 46 12 775, 776,+234 9 78 22 762,+234 9 41 39 433,434 |
Read also: Schenghen application form
Conclusion
While obtaining a Schengen visa from Nigeria may present challenges, there are several countries within the Schengen zone known for relatively straightforward visa processes.
These nations provide convenient avenues for Nigerian travelers, which helps them to have smooth travel processes as well as share culture and tourism business development activities between Nigeria and the Schengen region.
