Hello everyone. I am currently planning a trip to Europe for next month and I have found some conflicting information regarding the visa application process. My itinerary involves flying into Amsterdam where I will spend 2 days, and then taking a train to Berlin where I plan to stay for 5 days. Since my point of entry is the Netherlands but my longest stay is in Germany, I am unsure which embassy I should submit my documents to. Has anyone navigated this specific situation recently?
Hello there! That sounds like a wonderful journey you are planning. In my experience traveling through Europe, the rule is generally based on your main destination, which marks the place where you spend the most time. Since you are enjoying the history and culture of Berlin for longer, you should tackle the application with the German consulate. Entering through Amsterdam is just part of the adventure!
Logically, the Schengen regulations specify that the ‘main destination’ takes precedence over the ‘first port of entry’. Since your stays are 2 days versus 5 days, Germany is undeniably the primary destination. Only if the duration of stay was equal for both locations would the entry point (Netherlands) become the deciding factor for the application.
Omg don’t worry, you’ve got this! Just focusing on your main stay is the way to go. Berlin is going to be amazing for you! Just make sure your itinerary clearly shows the hotel bookings for both places so they can see the timeline. Sending you good vibes for the approval!
Hey, @aisha_read this is a common confusion, don’t worry 
In Schengen rules, you don’t apply based on first entry, you apply based on your main destination 
the country where you spend the most nights. In your case, it’s 2 days in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and 5 days in Germany (Berlin), so your main destination is Germany.
So you should submit your visa application through the German embassy / VFS, even though you’re landing first in Amsterdam. Just make sure your itinerary and hotel bookings clearly show 2 nights NL + 5 nights Germany, so everything matches your story.
I remember having a similar route when I went to explore the food scenes in France and Spain. I applied to Spain because I was there longer, even though I landed in Paris first. It went very smoothly. Just prepare your train tickets as proof of transit. Enjoy the trip!
You should apply to Germany, not the Netherlands.
Schengen rules are based on main destination, which is where you spend the longest time, not your first entry. Since you’ll stay 5 days in Germany vs 2 days in the Netherlands, Germany is clearly your main destination.
I’ve handled a lot of cases like this. Just make sure your itinerary, accommodation bookings, and cover letter clearly show Germany as the primary stay. Entering via Amsterdam is totally fine.
Only apply to the Netherlands if the stay was equal or NL was the main purpose of the trip.
@aisha_read For a tourist visa, you should always apply to the country where you will stay the longest.In your case, even though you enter through the Netherlands, you are staying longer in Germany, so you should apply at the German embassy or visa center. Only if the stay was equal in both countries would you apply at the first entry country.