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World desk4 min

Phishing Scam Targets Tourists Applying for Schengen Visas: How to Spot It

A fake Schengen migration declaration email is targeting travelers with threats of border delays and requests for passport scans. Here’s how to verify requirements safely.
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A newly reported phishing campaign is using a fake five-working-day “migration declaration” rule to pressure travelers into sharing personal details and passport scans. Kaspersky reported the campaign on October 5, 2026, and said travelers did not then need to register online for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) in advance. Treat that as a date-stamped update: check official EU and destination-country sources for current requirements.

How the Schengen visa phishing email works

Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team reported that the emails falsely appear to come from an EU migration authority. They claim travelers must submit a digital “migration declaration” five working days before entering the Schengen Area, threatening extra border checks or temporary denial of entry if they do not.

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The message sends recipients to a fake website designed to resemble the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The site requests personal information, travel dates, details about companions, and passport scans. The campaign targets English, Turkish, Arabic, and other language speakers. Kaspersky said the information could be used to contact victims by phone and try to obtain more personal or financial details; the report does not establish that every recipient was defrauded or quantify losses. Kaspersky’s October 5, 2026 campaign report attributes the scheme to cybercriminals exploiting travelers’ concern about visa applications and border delays.

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Do tourists need to register for EES before travelling?

In its October 5, 2026 report, Kaspersky said: “Travelers should remember that they do not currently need to register for the EES online in advance.” The reported email’s five-working-day declaration claim is not a reason to submit information through its link. Because border procedures can change, confirm any new requirement on official EU or destination-country government channels before travel.

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What to do if you receive the message

  1. Do not click the email link or open an unexpected attachment. A convincing logo, official-sounding sender name, or multilingual design does not verify who operates a site.
  2. Verify the claim independently. Contact the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa center using details reached from an official government or EU page—not contact information or links in the message. Kaspersky advises checking new requirements with the relevant consulate or visa center.
  3. Keep passport scans off unverified sites. Upload identity documents only when the responsible embassy or consulate confirms that the site belongs to it or to a provider it authorizes.
  4. If you already submitted information, contact the relevant embassy or consulate through its official channel for advice. Be alert to follow-up calls or messages seeking additional personal or financial details, since Kaspersky says the stolen information could be used to make such contact.

Where to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa

A Schengen short-stay visa permits eligible non-EU nationals to visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Some non-EU nationalities need a visa and others do not; check the nationality list and country-specific instructions rather than assuming every tourist needs one. The European Commission’s application overview links to country-specific information.

Choose the responsible country

For a trip across several Schengen countries, apply to the country where you will spend the longest time. If you will spend equal time in multiple countries, apply to the first country you visit. In general, the responsible consulate is the one serving your legal country of residence.

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Use the consulate or its authorized provider

Apply through the destination country’s embassy or consulate, or an external provider that country authorizes. The European External Action Service (EEAS) says authorized external providers are named by the embassy or consulate. It warns that intermediaries are not official providers, are not associated with embassies or consulates, and do not improve the chance of approval. The EEAS also says only Schengen-member countries’ embassies or consulates process visa applications; an EU Delegation does not. See the EEAS Schengen visa information.

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Provider arrangements can be specific to both destination and location. For applicants in Türkiye, the EEAS lists providers by destination country and says Romania and Portugal do not use an external provider there; applicants should use those countries’ official national visa or embassy websites. Do not assume that arrangement applies in another country.

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General application timing, documents, and fees

The European Commission’s general overview, dated December 2, 2025, says applications should be submitted no earlier than six months and at least 15 days before intended travel. Normal processing is 15 days and can extend to 45 days for detailed examination or additional documents. These are general figures, not a guarantee for an individual application; confirm local procedures and current requirements with the responsible consulate.

  • General fees listed: €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–12. Exceptions apply for some nationalities, and visa-center service fees may also apply.
  • Typical supporting materials: a valid passport (generally valid for at least three months beyond departure from the Schengen Area), application form, compliant photo, medical insurance, documents supporting the travel purpose, evidence of financial means and accommodation, and evidence of intent to return.
  • Biometrics: fingerprints are collected when the application is submitted, subject to exceptions.

Use the Commission’s country-specific links and the responsible consulate’s current instructions; the general overview does not replace local guidance.

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