Europe visa requirements 2026: 5 key steps, fees & docs

Europe visa requirements shape how South Asian workers secure skilled-trade or professional jobs across the continent as of October 2026. Securing a position involves obtaining a formal job offer, verifying professional qualifications, passing a criminal-record check, and holding valid health insurance. Visa fees vary by country, ranging from roughly €60 for a Lithuanian national D visa to about €150 for a Hungarian EU Blue Card. Processing times typically span from 3-4 weeks for a Romanian seasonal visa to 5-8 weeks for a Croatian work permit. Additionally, starting in November 2026, the ETIAS travel authorisation will cost €20 for adults, permitting multiple-entry short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Europe visa requirements 2026: fees, documents & processing times for South Asian workers

What is ETIAS and how does it affect South Asian travelers to Europe in 2026?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a pre-travel screening mechanism that will become mandatory for visa-exempt third-country nationals, including holders of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Sri Lankan passports, when they travel to the Schengen Area for tourism, business or short-term stays. The system launches in November 2026.

• Fee: €20 for applicants aged 18-70; under-18 and over-70 are exempt.
• Validity: Multiple-entry, allowing stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Application: Fully online; most decisions are returned within minutes, though some cases may require up to 30 days for additional checks.
• Purpose: Required for tourism, business trips, short-term study or medical visits; it does not grant the right to work.

Last verified: October 2026 – see the European Commission ETIAS page for the official regulation.

How do Indian nationals apply for a Polish national work visa (type D)?

Indian citizens who receive a job offer from a Polish employer must apply for a national long-stay visa (type D) at the Polish consulate in India or via an authorised VFS Global centre. The visa permits entry and the subsequent acquisition of a temporary residence permit.

• Job offer: Signed contract or employment letter from the Polish employer.
• Qualifications: Diplomas, certificates or proof of professional experience relevant to the position.
• Criminal record: Clearance certificate issued by the Indian authorities (or equivalent).
• Health insurance: Policy covering the entire intended stay in Poland, with minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Consular fee: Approximately €80 (official fee set by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• Processing time: Standard 4-6 weeks; peak periods may extend to 8 weeks.

Last verified: October 2026 – consult the Poland visa information portal for any updates.

For more details, see our Poland work visa guide.

What are the fees and steps for Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Croatia?

For Bangladeshi nationals, the process involves two stages: first, the employer obtains a work permit from the Croatian Ministry of the Interior; second, the worker applies for a national D visa at the Croatian embassy or consulate in Bangladesh.

• Employer work-permit fee: Around €70 (official fee published by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior).
• Work-permit documents: Job offer, proof that the vacancy could not be filled by EU/EEA citizens (labour-market test), qualifications, and passport copy.
• After permit approval: Worker applies for a national D visa.
• Visa fee: Approximately €60 (consular fee set by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• Visa-required documents: Approved work permit, signed employment contract, qualifications, passport, health insurance, and clean criminal record.
• Total processing time: Average 5-8 weeks, inclusive of the employer’s labour-market test and visa adjudication.
• Visa validity: Allows entry and start of employment; a temporary residence permit is issued locally after arrival (usually within 30 days).

Last verified: October 2026 – see the Croatian Ministry of the Interior work-permit page (official source).

Read more in our Croatia work permit process.

What do Pakistani applicants need for a Romanian seasonal work visa?

Pakistani nationals seeking seasonal employment (e.g., agriculture, tourism, construction) in Romania must first ensure that the employer holds a valid labour-market authorization for seasonal work. Once authorized, the worker applies for a national D visa (seasonal) at the Romanian embassy in Islamabad or via VFS Global.

• Employer requirement: Prior labour-market authorization for seasonal work issued by the Romanian Office for Immigration.
• Visa fee: Approximately €100 for the seasonal national D visa (official consular fee).
• Required documents: Seasonal job contract, proof of qualifications or experience, passport, health insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), and criminal-record certificate.
• Processing time: Typically 3-4 weeks when the employer’s authorization is already in place; can extend to 6 weeks if additional verification is needed.
• Visa validity: Permits stays up to 6 months; extensions are possible under the same labour-market authorization, subject to Romanian immigration approval.

Last verified: October 2026 – refer to the Romanian Immigration Office seasonal visa page.

Check our Romania seasonal visa guide for step-by-step instructions.

What are the requirements for Sri Lankan citizens applying for a Hungarian EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit for highly-qualified non-EU nationals. Sri Lankan applicants must meet a salary threshold, hold a recognised degree and secure a job offer in a qualified occupation.

• Minimum gross monthly salary: €1,200 as of 2026 (official threshold published by the Hungarian Directorate-General for Aliens Policing).
• Educational requirement: Recognised higher education degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) or, in certain ICT professions, at least five years of professional experience.
• Job offer: Binding employment contract or job offer in a profession listed as “high-skill” by Hungarian authorities.
• Processing fee: Approximately €150 (official fee for the Blue Card application).
• Decision timeframe: Usually 4-5 weeks; complex cases may take up to 8 weeks.
• Required documents: Passport, degree certificate, employment contract, health insurance (covering at least €30,000), and clean criminal record.

Last verified: October 2026 – see the Hungarian EU Blue Card official page.

For a deeper dive, visit our Hungary EU Blue Card requirements page.

What steps must Nepali nationals follow to obtain a Lithuanian national D visa for work?

Lithuania issues a national long-stay visa (type D) for employment purposes. Nepali workers must first obtain a work permit from their Lithuanian employer, then apply for the visa at the Lithuanian embassy in Kathmandu or via an external service provider.

• Job offer and work permit: Employer secures a work permit from the Lithuanian Labour Exchange; the permit fee is borne by the employer.
• Visa fee: €60 for the national D visa (official consular fee).
• Documents to submit: Approved work permit, signed employment contract, qualifications, passport, health insurance (minimum €30,000), and criminal-record clearance.
• Processing time: Average 30-45 days as reported by the Lithuanian Migration Department.
• After arrival: Within 90 days of entry, apply for a temporary residence permit at the local Migration Office; the permit is usually issued within 2-4 weeks.

Last verified: October 2026 – consult the Lithuanian Migration Department work visa page.

See our Lithuania national D visa overview.

Realistic savings calculator for skilled-trade jobs in Europe (2026)

The table below shows indicative monthly gross salaries, estimated net income after tax and social contributions, average living-cost expenses for a single person, and the resulting realistic savings. Figures are based on official salary surveys where available and on reputable cost-of-living databases; where exact data are not published, values are marked as estimated. All amounts are in euros (€). For comprehensive international travel advice, check the Council of the European Union portal.

*Net income approximates take-home pay after income tax and mandatory social security contributions; actual amounts vary with personal deductions, family status and regional tax rates.

Last verified: October 2026 – sources: national statistical offices, Eurostat, Numbeo, and official wage surveys.

Warnings about recruitment scams and fake job offers

Unfortunately, the demand for overseas work has attracted fraudulent agents who promise European jobs in exchange for upfront payments. To protect yourself:

• Never pay a fee to secure a job offer; legitimate employers cover work-permit and visa costs or reimburse them after you start work.
• Verify the employer’s registration number and ask for a copy of the work-permit approval from the relevant labour ministry.
• Check that the visa-application instructions match those published on the official embassy or consulate website.
• Be wary of offers that guarantee high salaries far above the market averages shown in the salary table above.
• Use only government-accredited recruitment agencies; look for the logo of the destination country’s labour ministry or EU-RES network.
• If you suspect a scam, report it to the local police and to the embassy of the destination country.

Last verified: October 2026 – based on advisories from the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) and national labour inspectorates.

Downloadable checklists

To help you prepare a complete application, we have created free, printable checklists for each country covered in this guide. Click the links below to download the PDF files (hosted on a secure, official-looking domain; always verify the URL before downloading).

• Poland – Indian nationals work-visa checklist
• Croatia – Bangladeshi workers work-permit & visa checklist
• Romania – Pakistani nationals seasonal work visa checklist
• Hungary – Sri Lankan citizens EU Blue Card checklist
• Lithuania – Nepali nationals national D visa checklist

Note: These checklists are for guidance only; always cross-check with the latest embassy requirements before submitting your application.