Schengen visa bank balance calculator
“Insufficient means of subsistence” is one of the most common Schengen refusal grounds — and one of the easiest to avoid, because the numbers are largely predictable. Each country publishes or applies a daily reference amount, and your bank statement simply needs to comfortably cover it for your whole trip.
Pick your main destination, enter your trip length and travellers, and this calculator gives you the minimum you should show — plus a comfortable range based on our research across consulate requirements.
Show at least
€1,000
Comfortable range: €1,000 – €1,300
based on 100 €/day per traveller + a safety margin
Consulates don't just check the total — the balance should sit in your account across the full statement period, not appear as one deposit last week.
What consulates actually check in your statement
The total balance matters, but it is not the whole story. Visa officers look at the last 3–6 months of activity: a regular salary landing each month, everyday spending that matches your declared income, and a balance that has been stable — not a single large deposit that appeared two weeks before your application. Sudden unexplained deposits are one of the fastest ways to turn a strong file into a refusal for “unreliable documents”.
If a family member is funding your trip, do not just move their money into your account. Use a formal sponsorship: their bank statement, a sponsorship letter, proof of relationship, and — for some countries — an official form like Germany's Verpflichtungserklärung or France's attestation d'accueil.
Where these numbers come from
Several Schengen states publish official reference amounts (Spain publishes a strict daily minimum, Italy a sliding scale, Germany, France and the Netherlands daily reference figures). Official figures often exclude accommodation, so our calculator uses realistic per-day bars that also cover your booked hotel — the level consulates actually expect to see. Figures are based on published 2024–2026 requirements, rounded for safety.
Half of all refusals are booking & paperwork problems. We fix those.
HatVisa prepares the exact documents consulates check first: a verifiable flight reservation with a real PNR, a confirmable hotel booking, compliant travel insurance, a professional cover letter and a day-by-day trip plan — consistent with each other, matching your dates, ready to submit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one fixed amount for all Schengen countries?
No. Each member state applies its own reference amounts, from roughly €45/day (Germany, excluding accommodation) to over €110/day (Spain, which also sets a minimum total per trip). A practical rule: show €80–120 per day per traveller depending on the destination, and you cover every country's bar.
Can I deposit money right before applying?
It usually backfires. Officers check the statement history, not just the closing balance. A large deposit days before applying, with no explanation, suggests borrowed money and often leads to refusal. If you must deposit (e.g. selling a car), attach proof of the source.
Do I need a separate balance for each family member?
One sponsor's account can cover a family applying together — but it must cover the daily amount multiplied by every traveller, and the sponsor should include a short letter confirming they fund the whole trip. Our calculator has a travellers field for exactly this.
Which documents prove financial means besides the bank statement?
Salary slips for the last 3 months, an employment letter stating your salary, tax returns for self-employed applicants, fixed deposits or savings certificates, and property or business ownership documents. They support the statement — they do not replace it.