Invitation Letter for Schengen Visa

If you are visiting friends, family, or business contacts in a Schengen country, an invitation letter from your host significantly strengthens your visa application. This guide provides templates, explains what the host must include, and lists the supporting documents your host needs to provide.

When Do You Need an Invitation Letter?

Required For:

Visiting family: Parents, siblings, children, or extended family in a Schengen country
Visiting friends: Friends who will host you during your stay
Business visits: Company inviting you for meetings, conferences, or training
Staying at someone's home: Instead of a hotel, you are staying with your host

Not Required For:

Tourism with hotel bookings — hotel confirmation is sufficient
Group tours with a tour operator
Stays in Airbnb or holiday rentals (booking confirmation is sufficient)

What the Invitation Letter Must Include

Host's Information

Full name (as on their ID/passport)
Date of birth
Nationality and immigration status in the Schengen country
Full address where you will stay
Phone number and email
Occupation and employer

Guest's Information (You)

Your full name (as on passport)
Your date of birth
Your passport number
Your UK address
Your relationship to the host

Visit Details

Purpose of the visit (family visit, holiday, business meeting)
Planned dates of stay
Where you will stay (host's address)
Who is covering the costs (you or host)
A statement that the host takes responsibility for the visit

Invitation Letter Template

[Host's Full Name]
[Host's Full Address]
[City, Postcode, Country]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]

To: The Consulate of [Country]
    Visa Section

Subject: Invitation Letter for [Your Full Name] — Passport No. [Number]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I, [Host's Full Name], born on [Date of Birth], holding [nationality] nationality, currently residing at the above address, hereby invite [Your Full Name], born on [Date of Birth], holding [nationality] passport number [Number], currently residing at [Your UK Address], to visit me in [City, Country].

Relationship: [Your Guest] is my [brother/sister/friend/business partner/etc.].

Purpose of Visit: [Family visit / Holiday / Business meeting / etc.]

Duration of Stay: From [Start Date] to [End Date] ([Number] days)

Accommodation: [Your Guest] will stay at my residence at the above address during their entire visit.

Financial Responsibility: [I will cover all expenses during the visit / My guest will cover their own expenses / We will share expenses].

I confirm that [Your Guest] will return to the United Kingdom after the visit, where they reside with a valid BRP/eVisa.

I attach copies of my [ID card/passport], proof of residence, and [bank statements/payslips] for your reference.

Yours faithfully,

[Signature]
[Host's Full Name]
                

Documents the Host Must Provide

Required from Host

Copy of ID card or passport
Proof of residence (utility bill, tenancy agreement, or property deed)
Proof of legal status (residence permit if not a citizen)
If sponsoring: bank statements showing sufficient funds
If sponsoring: employment letter or proof of income

Notarisation Requirements

Some countries require the invitation letter to be notarised or certified. Check with the specific embassy:

France: Attestation d'accueil (official hosting certificate from the local town hall) required
Italy: Simple letter is usually sufficient
Germany: Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) for sponsored visits
Spain: Carta de invitación from a police station required
Netherlands: Simple letter is usually sufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the invitation letter guarantee visa approval?

No. The invitation letter is one supporting document among many. The embassy still assesses your entire application including financial evidence, ties to the UK, and travel history.

Can the invitation letter be emailed or must it be original?

Most embassies accept scanned or emailed copies of the invitation letter. However, some may require the original posted from the host country. Check with the specific embassy.

Does my host need to be a citizen of the Schengen country?

No. Your host can be a legal resident (with a valid residence permit) of the Schengen country. They do not need to be a citizen.