Do Schengen embassies accept flight reservations instead of confirmed tickets?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, Schengen embassies accept flight reservations (itineraries) instead of fully paid, confirmed tickets. However, it is important to understand the distinction between a "reservation" and a "confirmed ticket" from the embassy's perspective. 1. Why Embassies Accept Reservations The Schengen Visa Code requires proof of your intention to leave the Schengen Area before your visa expires. A flight reservation serves this purpose by demonstrating: • Your planned date of entry. • Your planned date of exit. • The route you intend to take. Embassies are generally aware that purchasing a non-refundable ticket before a visa is approved creates an unnecessary financial risk for the applicant. Therefore, a verifiable reservation is considered a reasonable and acceptable form of proof. 2. The Requirement: "Verifiability" While an embassy may not require a "paid" ticket, it absolutely requires a "verifiab...