Despite the fact that the UK is no longer part of the EU, it does not prohibit its citizens from traveling to European countries and exploring the beauty of Europe. Thousands of Brits visit Europe every year, and the number keeps growing.
But, many people get confused when it comes to traveling from the United Kingdom to the Schengen territory since the Schengen policies require nationals of many countries to obtain a visa prior to their trip. This is why it is important to understand the Schengen visa rules to have a smooth travel experience.
Do I Need to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Visit Europe from the UK?
Due to the United Kingdom being part of the European Union until February 2020, its citizens have so far been permitted to enter the Schengen Zone without a visa. However, not every person residing in the UK has the right to travel to Schengen states without having a visa sticker on their passport. You will need to obtain a visa prior to your trip to Schengen if you are:
- A UK passport holder, but you have previously been rejected from entering the area visa-free.
- A foreign passport holder legally residing in the UK, and you hold the passport of a country which:
- Does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area.
- Has a visa-free agreement with Schengen, but you have been previously denied entry into the area.
*Please note that only legal UK residents can apply for a Schengen visa in the UK. If you are in the UK under a visa, you will have to apply in your home country.
Post-Brexit Traveling for UK Passport Holders
UK passport holders will be eligible to travel visa-free to the Schengen Zone until May 2025, when the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) scheme comes into effect. As of that date, all countries under the visa-free regime with the EU, including the UK, must obtain an ETIAS before traveling to the borderless territory.
What Are the Types of Schengen Visas Available for Applicants in the UK?
There are different types of Schengen visas that you can apply for depending on the purpose of entry into the Schengen zone and the activities you wish to carry out there. As such, you can apply for the following types of Schengen Visas:
- Tourist Schengen Visa.
- Transit Schengen Visa.
- Business Schengen Visa.
- Visitor Schengen Visa.
- Cultural Schengen Visa.
- Medical treatment Schengen Visa.
- Short-term study visa.
- Official Visit Visa.
How Long Can a UK Citizen Stay in Europe Without a Visa?
British citizens do not require a visa for the Schengen Member States if the duration of their stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. Any stay that exceeds the 90-day period requires a visa.
When Is the Best Time to Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?
There are some conditions on when it is the earliest and the latest you can apply for a Schengen visa, as well as when is the most suitable time to apply. According to the Schengen visa application rules, the earliest you can apply for a visa is three months prior to your intended trip. Whereas the latest you can apply is two weeks prior to your trip to Schengen.
The most suitable time is three weeks before you head to the Schengen Area. However, you are highly recommended to apply as soon as you can in order to avoid any possible delays.
*Holders of multiple-entry visas may apply six months before the expiry date of the valid visa.
What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?
When applying for a Schengen visa in the UK, you need to submit the following documents to complete the application process:
- Schengen Visa Application Form. The Schengen visa application form is the same for each of the member states. You can download it online or require it from the embassy of the Member State you plan to visit. The application form must be completed with true and correct information, and you should not leave any blank answers (unless required). After you fill out the application form, you should print it in two copies and sign both of them at the end.
- Valid Passport. You need a valid travel document issued within the last 10 years with a validity period of another three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen Member State. The passport must also contain two blank pages available for stamping.
- Two Photographs. Submit two identical passport-size photographs of yourself taken within the last 3 months. Your photographs must fulfill all of the Schengen visa photo requirements, such as being in color and of high quality, or the embassy will not accept them.
- A valid UK residence permit or other forms of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
- Schengen Travel Medical Insurance. Evidence that you have purchased health insurance is necessary.
- A Schengen Visa Cover Letter. A cover letter is a mandatory requirement in which you can introduce yourself to the embassy. In this letter, you are required to explain in detail why you wish to visit the country, where you will be staying, and what you will be doing throughout your stay.
- Round-trip Travel Itinerary. This is a traveling plan from the UK to the Schengen Zone and back. You can use the following:
- A booked flight reservation.
- Package tour.
- Proof of Onward Travel, etc.
- Proof of Accommodation. Amongst others, you need to show where you will be staying during your time in the Schengen Area. This could be one of the following:
- Hotel booking. A document issued by a hotel in your destination country, which includes your dates of stay, hotel address, and other contact details.
- Invitation letter. In case you are planning to stay over with a relative or friend, then you will have to submit a letter in which they invite you to stay over. It should contain details such as the host’s personal information, your dates of stay, and your relationship with them.
- Rent agreement. If you are planning to stay at a rented place, then you should show a rental contract as evidence of accommodation.
- Proof of financial means. Each of the Schengen countries requires travelers to own a minimum specified amount of money per day in order to be permitted to enter. This could be a bank statement, which proves you have that amount of money, a letter of sponsorship, etc.
- Proof of paid visa fee. When you pay the Schengen visa application fee, save the receipt in order to show it to the consular officer as proof that you have completed the payment.
- Additional Documents: Depending on your employment status, you will have to submit the following documents:
- If you are an employee:
- Leave permission from the employer.
- Employment contract.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
- If you are self-employed:
- A copy of your business license.
- Income Tax Return (ITR).
- If you are retired:
- Pension statement of the last 6 months.
- If you are studying at a UK university:
- Proof of enrollment.
- No objection letter from School or University in the UK.
- If you are unemployed and married to a UK citizen:
- Your spouse’s Confirmation of Employment. This document should be issued by the employer of your spouse and must indicate details such as the position held by your spouse within the company, as well as the starting date.
- Spouse’s valid passport.
- An officially translated marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, translation is required. This translation must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in the UK. In case this Certificate was issued outside the EU, it must bear a stamp by the Foreign Office of the issuing country or its Embassy in the UK.
*Documents listed above are a general requirement for Schengen Visa applications. However, depending on the Schengen country you are applying for, the competent authorities of the country may require you to submit additional documents.
Where to Submit My Schengen Visa Application in the UK?
Even though the Schengen zone has abolished internal borders and a visa to one of its member states gives its holder the right to travel through the whole area, you cannot file your application at whichever of its embassies is in the UK. There are rules and criteria as to where you should submit your application.
If You Are Visiting Only One Schengen Country
If you are planning to visit only one Schengen country, then you should simply make an appointment at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country in the UK and attend the interview.
If You Are Visiting More Than One Schengen Country
However, it is a bit more complicated in case you will be visiting two or more countries. Depending on the number of days you will be spending in each, you need to apply as follows:
- If you will be spending an equal number of days in each country, you should apply at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country, where you will step first.
- If you will be spending an unequal number of days in each country, you should apply at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you will be spending more days.
Depending on the country, which needs to process your file, you may have to submit your application at:
- The embassy or consulate of the country that you want to visit.
- A visa center in the UK.
- The embassy/consulate/ visa center of another country in the UK that has jurisdiction over processing visa Schengen visas. For instance, Iceland has outsourced visa processing to other Schengen countries’ embassies. If you are applying for an Iceland visa from the UK, you should apply at the Royal Danish Embassy in London.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from the UK?
Applying for a Schengen visa in the UK is similar to applying anywhere else in the world. The application process for a Schengen visa from the UK includes the following steps:
- Choose what type of Schengen visa you need.
- Locate the nearest diplomatic missions (embassy or consulate).
- Book an appointment.
- Complete the Schengen visa application form.
- Collect the required documents.
- Submit the application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Attend the interview.
- Wait to receive your Schengen visa.
Choose What Type of Schengen Visa You Need
Choose the type of Schengen visa that corresponds to your purpose of visit to the Schengen Member State. For example, if the sole purpose of visiting Europe is tourism, then you need to apply for a Schengen Tourist visa, but if you are traveling to Europe to transit from one country to another, you need to apply for a Schengen Transit visa, etc.
Locate the Nearest Diplomatic Missions (Embassy or Consulate)
Identify the Schengen country you plan to visit and find out which embassy or consulate is responsible for visa applications from residents of your state.
Book an Appointment
Book an appointment with the diplomatic mission, where you will submit your Schengen visa application. On the day of the appointment, you will have your biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo) taken, so make sure you arrive at the appointment on time.
If, for any reason, you are unable to attend the appointment, you cannot send another person on your behalf but must schedule another appointment.
*Minor applicants must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardian.
Complete the Schengen Visa Application Form
When applying for a Schengen visa, each applicant must fill out the application form specific to the type of Schengen visa they are applying for. The application form contains questions about you, your trip, and the purpose of your visit. You need to provide true and accurate information, as any false statements will get your visa denied.
Collect the Required Documents
Check the document checklist above to see what documents you need to bring when submitting your Schengen visa application. Make sure you follow the instructions set by the embassy, translate and legalize your documents.
Pay the Application Fee
You must pay the Schengen visa application fee and keep the receipt as proof of payment. The fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid in UK Pounds only.
| Adult | 76.04£ | €90 |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | 38.02£ | €45 |
| Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
In the case of visa rejection, you will not get refunded. Therefore, you want to make sure that the information that you have submitted for this visa is correct and that you have collected all the required documents.
Submit the Application
Submit the Schengen visa application form together with the documents from the checklist to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen Member State you want to visit.
Attend the Interview
All applicants must appear for the interview. This is the part where the consular officer will decide whether to grant you the Schengen visa.
Wait to Receive Your Schengen Visa
You will receive a notification in your email informing you whether your Schengen visa has been approved or not. If your visa has been approved, you can visit the embassy to collect your visa and passport.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Schengen Visa From the UK?
Usually, the processing time for a Schengen visa takes about 15 calendar days from the date you submit the visa application. However, the processing time can take longer if additional documents are required.
What Can I Do If My Application Is Denied?
Applicants applying for a Schengen visa have the right to reapply or appeal the decision if their Schengen visa application has been rejected. In cases of a visa refusal, the authorities responsible for the visa decision will provide you with the reasons for the rejection. You can then decide whether you want to reapply and file a new application, or if you believe that there has been a mistake and your application is completed correctly, you can write a letter of appeal.
If you decide to go with an appeal, you must conduct it against the Member State that refused your Schengen visa application, and the letter must be in accordance with the national law of that country.