Can I hold two valid Schengen visas at the same time?

In almost all cases, you cannot hold two valid Schengen visas at the same time. The Schengen system is designed so that only one visa can be valid for a traveller at any given moment. Here’s what you need to know 👇 🚫 1. Schengen rules do not allow multiple active visas When a new Schengen visa is issued, it usually: • Cancels your old visa automatically, or • Overrides it in the system This prevents travellers from carrying overlapping visas from different countries. 🛂 2. Only rare exceptions exist Very rarely, someone may temporarily hold two valid visas if: • One visa has limited territorial validity (LTV) • The other is a normal Schengen (Type C) visa • Their travel purpose requires two different embassies to issue separate visas But this is extremely uncommon and only applies in very special cases (e.g., humanitarian visas). For normal travellers, this does not apply. ✈️ 3. Why travellers apply for a new visa early Some people apply for a fresh visa before the old one expires because: • They want a longer validity • They want a multiple-entry visa • They plan to travel again soon • Their current visa is single entry This is common — and completely allowed. But once the new visa is issued, the old one becomes irrelevant. ⚠️ 4. Your new visa may have a future start date If you already hold a valid visa and receive a new one that starts later, the old one remains valid until the new visa’s start date. This does not count as “holding two active visas” — it’s simply a transition period. 💡 Outbound Singapore Tip If you already have a Schengen visa but want a better or longer one, we can advise the best timing to apply so you don’t disrupt your travel plans — and so your visa history stays strong for future applications.