The Schengen visa: one visa, several countries
Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece are all part of the Schengen Area. For a holiday, Ivorian passport holders must obtain a short-stay Schengen visa, which you apply for before departure at the relevant consulate or visa centre. Its big advantage: a single visa lets you travel throughout all the Schengen countries while it is valid.
| Item | Schengen visa (Ivorian passport) |
|---|---|
| Type | Visa to be applied for at a consular office |
| Visa fee | €90 (about 105 USD) |
| Maximum length of stay | 90 days in any 180 |
The 90/180-day rule means that, over any 180-day period, you cannot spend more than 90 days in total in the Schengen Area. For a holiday of one or two weeks, this limit is more than enough.
Which country should you apply to?
You apply to the country of your main destination, that is, the one where you spend the most nights. If you are only going to Italy, it is Italy; for a tour that splits the nights equally, it is in principle the country of first entry. Your MALYA adviser will tell you which consular office is responsible for your itinerary.
A typical application, in general terms
The exact list varies by consulate and may change. A tourist visa application generally includes:
- a valid passport with blank pages, plus any previous visas;
- the application form and compliant passport photos;
- return flight bookings and accommodation for the whole stay;
- travel insurance, which is compulsory for a Schengen application;
- proof of financial means: recent bank statements;
- proof of your situation: a letter from your employer confirming your job and leave, company documents if you are self-employed, or a student card where applicable.
A consistent application is your best asset: dates, bookings and finances must all match up. That is exactly the role of our advisers, who prepare the application with you for each of our European trips.
Mistakes to avoid
- Submitting bookings that do not match the dates given on the form.
- Providing incomplete bank statements or a balance that does not reflect your ability to fund the trip.
- Forgetting travel insurance or choosing a policy that does not cover the whole stay.
- Applying to a country that is not your main destination.
Any of these can delay the processing of your application or lead to a refusal. A careful review before you submit makes all the difference.
When should you apply?
Appointments can be hard to get as the holidays approach. Submit your application as soon as your dates are set, leaving a comfortable margin before departure.
Our southern Europe trips
| Trip | Length | Best months | From* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy – Rome, Florence & Venice | 8 days | April, May, June, September and October | 810,000 FCFA |
| Spain – Barcelona & Ibiza | 8 days | May, June, July, August and September | 870,000 FCFA |
| Portugal – Lisbon & Sintra | 7 days | April, May, June, July, August, September and October | 710,000 FCFA |
| Greece – Athens & Santorini | 8 days | May, June, July, August, September and October | 740,000 FCFA |
| Euro-trip – Lisbon, Barcelona & Rome | 10 days | April, May, June, September and October | 1,050,000 FCFA |
*Price per person, flights from Abidjan included. Flights generally connect via Casablanca or Paris (Istanbul or Paris for Greece), for a journey of around 9 to 12 hours including the stopover.
Good to know
The Schengen visa does not cover everything: it is not valid for the French West Indies (Martinique, Guadeloupe), which require a specific visa, or for the United Kingdom, which has its own visitor visa. In Italy, shoulders and knees must be covered to enter churches and the Vatican. Entry rules change regularly: the information in this article reflects the MALYA travel requirements matrix checked on 31 October 2026. Before every departure, our advisers check the current requirements for you (visa, health, documents) and let you know about any changes.
Plan your trip with MALYA Travel
Have a trip in mind? Request your tailor-made quote in 2 minutes on our website or message us on WhatsApp on +225 07 09 54 40 62. Our advisers reply quickly, help you with your travel formalities and work with you to build a trip that suits you. MALYA Travel, the joy of travelling.