When applying for a Schengen visa, it's common and often advisable to provide hotel reservations (also called dummy bookings or proof of accommodation) instead of making actual, paid hotel bookings.
Here are the main reasons why hotel reservations are preferred over actual bookings:
Financial Loss in the Event of a Schengen Visa Rejection
In the event of a visa rejection or processing delay, applicants may incur substantial financial losses—especially if they have prepaid for non-refundable hotel accommodations. This risk is particularly relevant for Schengen visas, which often require applicants to provide hotel reservations covering the full duration of their intended stay.
At a minimum, you may choose to make confirmed hotel reservations for one week and then use Schengen Visa Itinerary to generate provisional bookings for the remainder of your stay.
A Visa Is Granted Solely for the Duration of Your Hotel Reservations
While the Schengen visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days, it is not automatically granted for the full duration. The validity of your visa typically depends on the number of days for which you provide proof of accommodation.
For example, if you submit hotel reservations covering 10 days, your visa will likely be issued for that same 10-day period.
To ensure greater flexibility in your travel plans, it is advisable to include an additional three days before and after your intended travel dates.
Inflexibility in Altering Your Travel Arrangements
By prearranging all of your hotel reservations, you are compelled to follow your initial itinerary. For instance, if you decide to extend your stay in France by an additional two days, you may be unable to do so because you have already paid for your existing hotel reservation.
It is advisable for a traveler to initially reserve accommodations for three days and then make additional bookings on a day-by-day basis.
Minimize Your Evidence of Financial Sustenance
When embarking on international travel, it is necessary to provide evidence of financial capacity, such as bank statements, to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your trip. For instance, in order to obtain a Schengen visa, it is necessary to possess a minimum of 80 EUR every day for the duration of the stay.
However, if you prearrange all of your hotel reservations, you may not be able to present them as acceptable proof, which could lead to a visa denial.
It is more prudent to make provisional hotel reservations for visa purposes and finalize actual bookings only after obtaining the visa.
Avoiding Scams and Getting Professional Help
To avoid scams when making a dummy hotel reservation, we recommend using Schengen Visa Itinerary to book a hotel without making full payment.
These services also provide flight reservations and affordable travel insurance to help fulfill your visa requirements.
Important Tip
Always check the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate you are applying to, as some may:
• Require fully refundable bookings
• Accept dummy bookings or reservation confirmations
• Insist on bookings that can be verified online or via phone