The rules behind the calculator
The European Commission's page on applying for a Schengen visa (updated 2 December 2025, checked 6 October 2026) states that you can apply:
- no earlier than 6 months before your trip, and
- at the latest 15 days before your intended journey.
It gives 15 days as the normal processing time, which can extend to 45 days if the application needs closer examination or more documents. That's why the calculator also shows a date 45 days before travel: applying by then leaves room for the longest standard processing period.
What the calculator doesn't know
- Appointment availability at your visa centre, which can be the real bottleneck.
- Rules for multiple-entry visas, seafarers or other special cases.
- Changes a specific consulate makes to its own process.
Always confirm with the consulate or visa centre handling your application. For the documents you'll need, see our Schengen visa guide.