Schengen Visa for Kenyans 2026Requirements, Fee, Documents & Where to Apply

Schengen visa required

Countries covered: 29
Visa needed: Yes
Max short stay: 90/180
Standard fee: EUR 90

Do Kenyans need a Schengen visa?

Yes. Kenyans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travelling to any of the 29 Schengen countries, even for tourism. One visa covers the whole area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Kenya is not on the EU's visa-exemption list (verified against France's published visa policy), so a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) is required before travel. The good news: the process is harmonised. One application at the consulate of your main destination gives you a visa valid across all 29 member countries, and 104 nationalities are in the same position - the consulates process these files every day.

Schengen Country Guides for Kenyan Applicants (29)

Per-country corridor guides for Kenyan citizens - apply through the consulate of your main destination. Where available, these include the exact document checklist published for Kenya.

Schengen Visa Documents for Kenyans

The core file is the same at every Schengen consulate. Each consulate (and its VFS Global or TLScontact centre) publishes the exact checklist for applicants from Kenya - our per-country guides above link the official checklists where we hold them.

Harmonised Schengen short-stay application form, signed
Passport valid at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area
Recent passport-format photos
Travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage, valid across Schengen
Proof of accommodation and a travel itinerary or round-trip reservation
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
Evidence of ties to Kenya: employment or study letter, property, family - anything showing you will return

Schengen Visa Fee for Kenyans

The fee is set EU-wide, so it is identical whichever member state you apply to - there is no special per-nationality surcharge for Kenyan applicants.

Applicant	Fee
Adults (12+)	EUR 90
Children 6 to 12	EUR 45
Children under 6	Free

+ VFS Global / TLScontact service fee where the consulate outsources intake.
Not refunded if the application is refused.

Full details, including the reduced visa-facilitation rate, on the Schengen visa fee page.

Beyond Schengen: What the Kenya Passport Unlocks

Europe is one region - see the full picture of where the Kenya passport can travel visa-free, on arrival or with an e-visa on the Kenya passport page, compare it against every other passport on the passport rankings, or read the full Schengen visa guide for the countries list, application steps and the 90/180 rule.

Schengen Visa for Kenyans: FAQ

Do Kenyans need a Schengen visa in 2026?

Yes. Kenyans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travelling to any of the 29 Schengen countries, even for tourism. One visa covers the whole area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Where do Kenyans apply for a Schengen visa?

Apply at the consulate (or its VFS Global / TLScontact centre) of your main destination - the Schengen country where you will spend the longest. If your stays are equal, apply to the country of first entry. Applying to a different member because it seems easier is a common ground for refusal.

How long does a Schengen visa take for Kenyans?

In the official data we track for France, consulates decide within 15 days in most cases, extendable to up to 45 days when extra scrutiny or documents are needed. Applications can be lodged up to 6 months before travel; apply several weeks ahead in high season.

Which countries does a Schengen visa cover for Kenyans?

The Schengen Area has 29 member countries in 2026: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. One short-stay visa is valid in all of them. Ireland and the United Kingdom are not in Schengen and run separate visa policies.

Check every destination for the Kenya passport

See the full visa-free list, visa on arrival destinations and e-visa options for Kenyan travellers.

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