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Europe Visa Check

Extending a Schengen Visa

Can you extend your stay in the Schengen Area?

Extensions Are Rare

Schengen visa extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances. You cannot extend simply because you want to stay longer. If you think you'll need more than 90 days, apply for a long-stay national visa instead.

Can You Extend a Schengen Visa?

Technically, yes — but only in very limited situations. The Schengen Visa Code allows extensions only for:

  • Humanitarian reasons — War, natural disaster, or crisis in your home country
  • Serious personal reasons — Medical emergency, death of a family member
  • Force majeure — Circumstances beyond your control (canceled flights due to volcanic ash, pandemic travel bans)

"I'm having a great time" or "I found a job" are not valid reasons for extension.

Extension Quick Facts

📅
Maximum extension Up to 90 days Total stay cannot exceed 90 days
💶
Cost €30 Extension fee
📉
Success rate Very low Most are denied
🏢
Apply to Immigration office In the country you're in

Valid Reasons for Extension

Extensions may be granted for:

  • Medical emergency: You're hospitalized or too ill to travel safely
  • Accident or injury: You cannot physically leave the country
  • Death of family member: A relative in the Schengen Area has died
  • Political crisis: Unsafe to return to your home country
  • Natural disaster: Earthquake, flood, or similar event prevents return
  • Flight cancellations: Mass cancellations beyond your control (not just your individual flight)

Invalid Reasons (Will Be Denied)

  • Wanting to stay longer: Personal preference is not valid
  • Found a job: Employment requires a work permit, not extension
  • Fell in love: Romantic relationships don't qualify
  • Missed your flight: Book another one
  • Waiting for another visa: Not a valid reason
  • Financial issues: Running out of money is not grounds for extension

How to Apply for an Extension

If you have a valid exceptional reason:

  1. 1

    Apply Before Your Visa Expires

    You MUST apply while your current visa is still valid. Applying after expiry means you've already overstayed.

  2. 2

    Go to the Local Immigration Office

    Visit the immigration authority in the Schengen country where you're currently located. This varies by country (Ausländerbehörde in Germany, Préfecture in France, etc.).

  3. 3

    Provide Documentation

    Bring evidence of your exceptional circumstance: medical reports, death certificates, official travel advisories, airline cancellation notices.

  4. 4

    Pay the Extension Fee

    The standard extension fee is €30 (may vary slightly by country).

  5. 5

    Wait for Decision

    You should receive a decision while your current visa is still valid. If approved, you'll get a new visa sticker or stamp.

What If You're Denied?

If your extension is denied, you must leave the Schengen Area before your original visa expires. Staying after a denied extension is considered overstaying and carries serious consequences.

You may be able to appeal the decision, but the appeal process varies by country and the timeline may not help you avoid overstaying.

Alternatives to Extension

If you know you'll need more than 90 days:

  • Apply for a long-stay (Type D) visa — Before your trip, apply for a national long-stay visa from the specific country
  • Leave and return — Exit the Schengen Area, wait until you have more days available, then return (must respect the 90/180 rule)
  • Visit non-Schengen countries — UK, Ireland, Croatia (partial), Bulgaria (partial), Romania (partial) have separate entry rules

Related Guides

90/180 Day Rule

Understand stay limits

Overstay Consequences

What happens if you overstay

Schengen Calculator

Track your days

Extension FAQs

Can I extend if my flight was canceled?
Only if it's a mass cancellation event (volcanic ash, pandemic). If just your individual flight was canceled, you're expected to book another one. Airlines must rebook you or refund you — this isn't grounds for visa extension.
What if I get sick while traveling?
If you're hospitalized or medically unable to travel, you may qualify for extension. Get documentation from your doctor stating you cannot safely fly. Minor illness isn't sufficient — it must be serious enough that travel is medically inadvisable.
Can I apply for extension multiple times?
The total stay in the Schengen Area cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period, even with extensions. Extensions just allow you to reach the 90-day maximum, not exceed it.
What happens if I overstay while waiting for extension decision?
If you applied for an extension BEFORE your visa expired and are waiting for a decision, you're typically covered. However, if you applied late or the decision comes after your visa expired and it's denied, you may be considered overstaying.
Can I extend a multiple-entry visa?
An 'extension' still respects the 90/180 day rule. If you have a multiple-entry visa valid for 2 years, extending doesn't give you more than 90 days per 180-day period — it just might extend the visa's validity period in exceptional cases.

Related Information

ETIAS Guide Schengen Calculator Schengen Area Guide Travel Insurance

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