Applying for Spain Schengen: Unemployed (Former corporate dev with €25k savings + state benefits) & newly employed spouse (1 month). What are our chances?
TL;DR: My wife (new corporate job, 1 month tenure) and I (unemployed since December, receiving official state unemployment benefits but holding ~1 Million TRY / approx. €25,000 in a savings account) are planning a 9-day trip to Spain and Portugal. We have a clean Schengen history from our honeymoon in Spain last year (entered and exited strictly on time). We are traveling as a group of 4 with another couple who are both police officers with extensive EU travel history. All our flights and hotels will be fully booked and prepaid. Do we face a high risk of rejection solely based on our current employment/tenure status?
Our Detailed Profiles & Background
- Travel History: My wife and I traveled to Spain last year for our honeymoon on a 1-week Schengen visa. We complied strictly with the duration and returned on time. Clean record.
- My Situation (Main Applicant):
- I am a Software Engineer. I used to work at Renault (global automotive company) but was laid off in December due to corporate restructuring (legally classified as termination without employee fault).
- Because of this, I am currently receiving official, government-certified unemployment benefits (which will still be active during the visa application and the trip).
- Financials: Our bank accounts are very healthy. We have active credit card histories, and most importantly, we have 1 Million TRY (approx. €25,000) sitting in a time-deposit interest account that has been there untouched since I left my job.
- My Wife’s Situation:
- She just started a new corporate job 1 month ago. Therefore, she cannot provide the traditionally requested 3-month payslip history.
- However, her company is fully supportive and will provide an official, signed/stamped letter stating she is on approved annual leave for this trip and will definitely continue her employment upon return.
- Our Travel Companions & Itinerary:
- We are traveling as a tight-knit group of 4. The other couple are police officers (government law enforcement) with impeccable backgrounds and multiple past Schengen visas.
- We will submit joint hotel bookings and flight reservations showing all 4 names together to prove it’s a legitimate group vacation.
Our Specific Questions:
We already know how to handle the paperwork, cover letters, and required documents. We are not looking for basic application advice, but rather a realistic assessment of our unique situation:
- Will my unemployment + her 1-month tenure trigger an automatic rejection? Even though we have strong financial backing (€25k savings) and her company's official leave letter, does the lack of a 3-month payslip history for her, combined with my job loss, look too risky for Spain?
- Does my corporate background help? Will showing my previous employment at a major global firm (Renault) alongside my official state unemployment document prove that I am a legitimate professional in a career transition, rather than a potential illegal immigrant?
- Does traveling with police officers add credibility? Does submitting joint applications/bookings with law enforcement officers who have extensive Schengen history help lower our risk profile in the eyes of the visa officer?
Has anyone successfully secured a Spanish (or any Schengen) visa under similar "temporary unemployment/new job" conditions? We would highly appreciate your realistic insights.