Why a Consent Letter Is Needed
When a child under the age of 18 travels alone, with another minor, or with an adult who is not a legal guardian, Schengen Member States require a written consent from the childs parent(s) or legal custodian(s). The document proves that the adult accompanying the child has permission to cross borders and that the childs welfare is protected while abroad.
Who Must Provide a Letter?
- Unaccompanied minors (traveling alone).
- Children travelling with a single parent while the other parent remains at home.
- Kids travelling with relatives, friends, or a hired guardian.
- Children boarding a cruise or group tour that includes travel through Schengen states.
Essential Information to Include
A consent letter should be clear, concise and contain the following items:
- Full details of the minor name, date of birth, passport number, nationality.
- Full details of the accompanying adult(s) name, relationship to the child, passport number, contact information.
- Travel itinerary dates of departure and return, all Schengen countries to be visited, entry and exit points.
- Purpose of the trip tourism, education, medical treatment, etc.
- Parental/guardian declaration a statement granting permission, acknowledging responsibility, and confirming that no custody dispute exists.
- Signature(s) and notarisation both parents (or legal guardian) must sign; most embassies require a notarised or apostilled copy.
- Contact details of the parents/guardians phone numbers, email, and physical address.
Sample Consent Letter (Template)
Below is a readytouse template. Replace the placeholders with the actual data before printing and notarising.
[Parent/Guardian Full Name] [Street Address] [City, Postal Code] [Country] Phone: [+Country Code Phone Number] Email: [email@example.com] Date: [DD Month YYYY] To Whom It May Concern, I/We, the undersigned, am/are the legal parent(s)/guardian(s) of:**Childs Full Name:** [FirstNameLastName] **Date of Birth:** [DDMMYYYY] **Passport No.:** [XXXXXXXX] **Nationality:** [Country] I/We hereby give my/our full consent for the abovenamed minor to travel to the Schengen Area from **[Departure Date]** to **[Return Date]** under the supervision of:**Accompanying Adults Full Name:** [FirstNameLastName] **Relationship to Child:** [e.g., Aunt, Family Friend] **Passport No.:** [XXXXXXXX] **Contact Number:** [+Country Code Phone Number] **Travel itinerary** Entry point: [Airport/Border Crossing, City, Country] on [DDMMYYYY] Countries to be visited: [France, Germany, Italy ] Exit point: [Airport/Border Crossing, City, Country] on [DDMMYYYY] The purpose of this trip is [tourism/educational program/medical treatment] and the child will be staying at [hotel name, address] or with the accompanying adult at the above address.I/We confirm that:* There is no ongoing custody dispute concerning the child. * The accompanying adult is authorised to make decisions related to the childs health and safety during the trip. * All travel and medical insurance requirements for the minor have been satisfied. Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me/us at the phone number or email listed above.Sincerely,______________________________ ______________________________ [Parent/Guardian Signature] [Second Parent/Guardian Signature] [Full Name] [Full Name] (Notarised/Apostilled attach stamp)
After printing, have the letter notarised at a local notary public. For nonEU countries, an apostille (according to the Hague Convention) may be required.
Notarisation & Apostille: What You Need to Know
| Country | Requirement |
|---|---|
| EU Member States | Local notarisation is usually sufficient. Some embassies ask for an apostille. |
| NonEU countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia) | An apostille from the issuing authority (state or federal) is required. |
| Countries not party to the Hague Convention | Legalisation at the consular office of the destination country. |
Other Documents Usually Requested
- Copy of the childs passport (photo page).
- Copies of both parents passports or national IDs.
- Birth certificate of the child (showing parents names).
- Proof of legal custody, if applicable (court order).
- Travel insurance covering medical repatriation for the minor.
- Flight tickets or reservation confirmations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if only one parent can sign?
If the other parent has a custodial right, the absent parent must provide a written waiver or a court order authorising the travelling parent to sign on their behalf.
Can a passport holders older sibling sign the letter?
No. Only legal parents or legally appointed guardians may provide consent. A siblings signature will not be accepted by border authorities.
Do I need to translate the letter?
Most Schengen embassies require the consent letter in the official language of the destination country or in English. If the original is not in English, attach a certified translation.
Is a visa still required for the minor?
Yes. The consent letter is a supporting document; the child must still obtain the appropriate Schengen visa according to the length and purpose of stay.
Can I use an electronic signature?
Some countries accept scanned signatures if the document is later notarised. However, to avoid delays, use a wet signature and a physical notarisation.
Useful Links
Always verify the exact requirements with the consulate or embassy of the first Schengen country you will enter, as rules can vary slightly between states.
