RoamMelb team, from our own experience · 7 November 2026

Applying for a Schengen visa in Melbourne: Italy vs Spain appointments, tested (2026)

Early this year my family planned a trip to Europe and needed Schengen visas. I looked into both the Italian and Spanish consulates in Melbourne and tried to book appointments with each. The trip was eventually cancelled, but the booking process alone is worth writing up. Honestly, a Schengen visa felt like more work than Australian permanent residency.

1. Who needs a Schengen visa?

• Australian and Hong Kong SAR passports: visa-free for short stays. Since April 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) records fingerprints and a photo at the border. ETIAS, the new travel authorisation, has not launched and has no confirmed date
• Chinese passports (including Australian permanent residents): need a Schengen visa, lodged with the consulate covering the state you live in

2. Italy: queueing online with Prenot@mi

The Italian Consulate in Melbourne handles residents of Victoria and Tasmania. You apply in person, and appointments are booked through Prenot@mi, the Italian foreign ministry's booking system.

• Two travellers means two separate queues. I tried adding a companion in the system, but it kept throwing errors
• When I asked the consulate, they said that if both people get appointments, you can both attend at the first person's time and tell the staff you're both there
• Once you get a slot, you're emailed and must log in to Prenot@mi and click "Confirm Booking" under "My Appointments" before the deadline, or the booking may be cancelled
• Processing takes from a few days to about 15 days. You can apply no earlier than six months before your trip, and the consulate recommends at least two weeks before departure

Main documents on the Italian consulate's checklist:

• Application form, photo, and passport valid at least three months beyond your return with two blank pages
• VEVO visa status (for permanent residents), and a marriage certificate if relevant
• Employment letter and payslips, proof of enrolment, or business registration plus tax assessment
• Bank statement in your own name covering the last 30 days (sponsors not accepted)
• Itinerary, return flights and accommodation for the whole stay
• Proof of address in Victoria or Tasmania, such as a driver licence
• Travel insurance (see section 5)

3. Spain: book by email, and expect a long wait

The Consulate General of Spain in Melbourne covers residents of Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia.

• Appointments are requested by email. The consulate's website lists [email protected] for visa appointments; include your full name, nationality, phone number, travel date and visa type. Every applicant, including children, needs an appointment
• When I emailed, I first received an automatic reply. The appointment I was eventually offered was roughly six months away, so I gave up
• The website says to request an appointment two to six months ahead depending on demand, and to allow at least six weeks for processing
• The fee is AU$159 (over 12), AU$80 (ages 6 to 11) and free for 5 and under. Cash or money order only, and it isn't refunded if refused
• Bank statements must cover the last three months

4. What are they looking for?

Australian permanent residents are usually approved. The key is proving four things:

1. You can afford the trip: bank statements
2. You have compliant insurance: at least €30,000 medical cover across the whole Schengen area
3. You have a real plan: return flights, accommodation and transport between countries
4. You'll come back to Australia: a home, a job, family or pets here; permanent residents also attach VEVO

5. Insurance: does credit card cover count?

• Italy: the consulate's checklist accepts credit card insurance, with a Certificate of Insurance from the bank, a bank letter confirming you're eligible, proof you meet the conditions (such as paying flights on the card) and a copy of the card
• Spain: asks for "local Australian travel insurance" with at least €30,000 medical cover for the whole stay and the whole Schengen area. It doesn't mention credit card insurance

My family took their CommBank credit card insurance documents to the Italian consulate to ask. The answer was neither yes nor no: submit them and they will be assessed.

6. A suggested timeline

• Six months out: decide your main destination and book an appointment straight away (especially for Spain)
• Two to three months out: gather documents and buy insurance
• After lodging: allow processing time before booking anything non-refundable

Pitfalls to avoid

1. Applying to the wrong country; it should be where you stay longest
2. Expecting one Prenot@mi booking to cover two people
3. Missing the Prenot@mi confirmation deadline
4. Turning up at the Spanish consulate without cash or a money order
5. Incomplete credit card insurance paperwork
6. Booking too late; Spain can be months away

FAQ