Can I exit from a different Schengen country than the one I entered from?
I have received a Schengen visa for 7 days from Italy. I would flying from Dubai to Rome and spending few days over there and heading to Netherlands. Can I return back to Dubai from Netherlands instead of returning back to Rome?
Also as its my 1st visit to Europe do I need to carry any documents for the immigration in Rome?
Best Answer
A Schengen Visa allows you to enter and exit the Schengen area through any port of entry. It does not have to be in the country where you applied for your visa.
So if you got your Visa from Italy you can arrive eg. in Germany and leave from France. No problem.
However, there are certain rules you must observe. One of those rules is that you must apply for your Schengen visa at the country that is your main destination. This rule exists to spread the work load and avoid visa shopping. The main destination is the country where you spend most time in, or if you spend equal time in two countries, the first one of those two.
When you arrive at the border they may ask to see your travel itinerary, including confirmations of flights and hotels. If it turns out that your itinerary is very different from the one you supplied when applying that may be a ground for refusing entry. Since you applied to Italy I assume you gave them an itinerary that made Italy the main destination. I suggest you stick to that itinerary.
Pictures about "Can I exit from a different Schengen country than the one I entered from?"
Can I exit from another Schengen country?
Yes, you can enter or exit from the Schengen area via a country other than the one you have a visa for, your port of entry or exit doesn't depend on the issuing country of your visa.Can I have a different port of entry and exit in a Schengen Visa?
However, as per the Schengen visa rules multiple entry visas allow you to exit and enter the region as many times as required, provided that it is according to the 90/180 rule.Can I enter and or exit the Schengen area visa a country other than the one for which I have a visa?
According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination (see FAQ no 5).Can I leave the Schengen Zone and come back?
If you leave the Schengen Zone, your time doesn't reset so it is really important that you keep track of how long you're in the Schengen Zone. If you're in the Schengen Zone for 90 days consecutively, you must leave after 90 days and can't return for another 90 days!THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV
More answers regarding can I exit from a different Schengen country than the one I entered from?
Answer 2
You must enter the port of entry in the country where you applied. You can exit from anywhere. There are exceptions: If you applied for Schengen in Slovenia, you can actually fly to Zagreb in Croatia without a visa for Croatia as they will accept your Schengen visa. (True for Russian and Chinese visitors - first hand experience) but always check.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska