Schengen Visa: Travel in Europe

The Schengen visa allows individuals to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes 27 European countries that have removed internal border controls. It is a short-stay visa that permits visits for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family, or attending events.

To apply for a Schengen visa, applicants must submit their application to the embassy or consulate of the country they plan to visit, or the country where they will spend the most time if visiting multiple destinations. The requirements typically include a completed application form, valid passport, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and evidence of financial means.

The Schengen visa is ideal for travellers who need to visit multiple European countries on a single trip, as it removes the need for separate visas for each nation. However, visa holders must adhere to the permitted duration of stay to avoid penalties or future travel restrictions.

It is important for applicants to apply well in advance, as processing times can vary depending on the country and time of year.

In this guide, we look at the Schengen visa rules, providing practical guidance for those travelling from the UK to EU Schengen member states, including what activities this type of visa will allow and what countries are included, to how to submit a Schengen visa application.

 

What is a Schengen visa?

 

If you are a national of a country which has not yet reached a visa-liberalisation agreement with Schengen member states, you will need to obtain a visa before travelling to Europe from the UK. A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows overseas nationals to travel to any country in the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days for permissible purposes, such as going on holiday, or visiting friends and family, or for business-related reasons.

As such, the Schengen visa is the most common visa for European travel. This is because it enables the visa-holder to enter, and to freely travel within, and then leave the Schengen Area from any one of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Area, where this visa-free area now covers most European countries.

A list of those countries whose citizens need a Schengen visa to go to Europe, as well as who can travel visa-free, can be found online on the ‘Schengen visa info’ website. Although the UK is not a member of the Schengen Area, British citizens can travel visa-free across Europe for a maximum of 90 days. Further, as from 2014, all British Overseas Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens, British Protected Persons and British Subjects have also been allowed to travel visa-free to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.

 

What does a Schengen visa allow?

 

Following the abolishment of internal border checks in a number of European countries under the Schengen Agreement back in 1985 — bringing an end to border control between member countries and with various other European countries signing up since — as a Schengen visa-holder, you will be able to travel across Europe under a uniform visa.

A Schengen visa will essentially allow you to visit any country within the Schengen Area, although it is only designed for short trips, usually no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. It is also only intended for limited purposes, including tourism and business trips.

As such, if you are planning to undertake paid employment or anything more than a short recreational course of study, you may need to apply for a national visa of the European country that you plan to work or study in. Equally, if you are planning to visit Europe for more than 90 days, you may again need to apply for an appropriate national visa.

 

Who needs a Schengen Visa?

 

A Schengen visa is required for individuals who are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area, and who do not have visa-exempt agreements with Schengen countries. These travellers need the visa to enter and stay in the Schengen Area for short visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting family and friends.

Nationals of countries like India, China, Russia, South Africa, Pakistan, and many others must apply for a Schengen visa before their travel. Additionally, travellers from countries that have agreements allowing visa-free travel, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, do not need a Schengen visa for short stays but must adhere to the same 90/180-day rule.

Individuals who hold residency permits or long-stay visas issued by Schengen countries do not need a separate Schengen visa for short trips within the area. However, if they wish to travel to countries outside the Schengen zone, separate visas may be required.

It is important to check individual eligibility based on nationality, as visa policies can change. Travellers should ensure they apply for the visa in advance and meet all requirements to avoid delays or refusal of entry.

 

Which are the Schengen countries?

 

The Schengen Area currently comprises 27 countries:

 

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

 

In addition, there are countries that do not form part of the Schengen Area, but still allow citizens of non-Schengen countries to enter and stay in their territories by showing a valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visa. These include Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. The Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira are also special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Area, even though these are located outside the European continent.

 

How do you get a Schengen visa from the UK?

 

Not every overseas national living or temporarily residing in the UK will be required to obtain a Schengen visa when travelling from the UK to a European country. Equally, not every UK resident is eligible to apply for a Schengen visa while living in the UK. However, for those thinking about travelling to any one or more of the Schengen member states, there is a useful online eligibility checker to determine if a Schengen visa will be needed. This can also be used to check if an application for a visa can be made from the UK.

For example, an American citizen living in the UK can usually travel to the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period without obtaining a Schengen visa. In contrast, a US citizen who has previously been denied entry to the Schengen Area will be required to obtain a Schengen visa. However, they will only be able to apply from the UK if they have a UK residence permit that will be valid for at least 3 months on their return from the Schengen Area. If they are not residing in the UK or do not have a permit that will be valid for 3 months, they would need to apply for a Schengen visa from the USA.

In contrast, an Indian citizen living in the UK cannot travel to the Schengen Area without first obtaining a Schengen visa. This is because they are not from a country that has a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU. However, provided an Indian citizen holds a legal residency permit in the UK for a minimum of 3 months after returning from the Schengen Area, they will be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK to travel to Europe.

As with the example above, if the Indian citizen is not a legal resident in the UK or will not have sufficient time left on any residency permit on their return to the UK, they would need to leave the UK and apply for a Schengen visa from their home country.

 

Where do you make a Schengen visa application?

 

To apply for a Schengen visa from within the UK, you have to be a UK resident. Any nonresidents, such as tourists and travellers, cannot submit their visa application from the UK. Instead, they will need to apply for a Schengen visa at a Schengen embassy or consulate in their home country. Equally, for those living in the UK but whose residence permit will not be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date they plan to leave the Schengen Area, will again need to make an application from their home country, unless they are able to apply to extend their stay in the UK before applying for a Schengen visa.

However, for those overseas nationals living in the UK who are eligible to make a Schengen visa application from the UK, they will need to apply to the appropriate Schengen embassy or consulate. All of the Schengen states are represented in the UK by embassies and consulates where, depending on your purpose and proposed length of stay, there are certain specifications to help clarify at which embassy or consulate within the UK you should apply.

For example, if you are visiting only one Schengen country, you will need to apply to the embassy or consulate for the country of destination. However, if you are visiting more than one Schengen country, you should apply at the embassy or consulate for the country where you plan to stay the longest, ie; your main destination. In cases where you will be visiting more than one Schengen country for equal lengths of time, you must apply at the embassy or consulate representing the Schengen country that you will physically enter first.

 

How to apply for a Schengen visa

 

Before applying for a Schengen visa, you will first need to determine whether you need this type of visa, depending on the purpose of your travel and your nationality. Having established the need for a Schengen visa, before applying you will next need to decide on your travel plans, calculating the number of days you plan to be in the Schengen Area, the countries you are going to visit, if more than one, as well as the country or countries from which you will enter and exit. You can then begin the process of setting up an appointment at the right Schengen embassy or consulate, either in the UK or your country of residence.

A digital application system is currently in development. Under the current process, to apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to book an in-person appointment at the embassy or consulate of your selected destination country. You will also need to pay the relevant fee and download a visa application form on which you must set out your reasons for visiting the Schengen Area and other details regarding your trip. You will need to submit your completed application form and supporting documents to the consular officer when you attend for your interview, where your application must be submitted at least 15 days before the start of your planned journey but cannot be lodged earlier than 6 months.

When making a Schengen visa application from the UK, you will need to provide various documents in support. This documentation must include a valid passport, a valid UK residence permit, a passport photo in the appropriate format, a cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit, proof of travel arrangements to and from the Schengen Area, proof of valid travel insurance, as well as proof of accommodation and financial means. You will also need evidence of employment, self-employment, retirement or studies in the UK.

 

How much does it cost to apply for a Schengen visa?

 

The standard Schengen visa application fee is:

 

• €80 for adults (aged 12 and over)
• €40 for children aged 6 to 11
• Free for children under 6 years old

 

Nationals from certain countries that have visa facilitation agreements with the EU may benefit from a reduced visa fee, usually €35.

If applying through a visa service provider (such as VFS Global or TLScontact), there may be an additional service fee of around €30 to €50, depending on the provider and location.

While not included in the visa fee, applicants must provide proof of travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies.

Visa fees are typically non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. Applicants should confirm the latest fee amounts at the consulate or embassy where they are applying, as fees can be subject to change.

 

How long does a Schengen visa last?

 

A Schengen visa will allow you to visit any of the Schengen countries during the same trip within the validity period of your visa. However, depending on the reason and frequency of your visits, you will be issued with either a single-entry, double or multiple-entry visa. The validity of any single-entry visa will depend on the number of days you wish to be in the Schengen Area as stated on your visa application form, although the decision as to the period of validity will rest with the issuing Schengen embassy or consulate.

 

Do UK citizens need a Schengen visa?

 

Currently, UK nationals do not need a Schengen visa for short stays in the Schengen Area. UK citizens can travel visa-free to Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting friends and family.

However, UK nationals must ensure their passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond their intended departure date from the Schengen Area and comply with the 90/180-day rule. Staying beyond this limit could result in penalties, including fines or travel restrictions.

While UK nationals currently enjoy visa-free access, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to be implemented in en ETIAS comes into effect, this will resemble the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar security-related purpose for those travelling to the States.

 

Schengen visa FAQs

 

Who needs a Schengen visa?

Non-EU nationals who do not have visa-free access to the Schengen Area need a Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

 

Do UK nationals need a Schengen visa?

No, UK nationals do not need a visa for short visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, from 2025, they will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before travel.

 

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6-11, and free for children under 6. Additional service fees may apply if using visa providers.

 

How long can I stay in the Schengen Area with a visa?

A Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Overstaying can result in fines or travel restrictions.

 

How do I apply for a Schengen visa?

You must book an appointment at the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit, submit an application form, pay the fee, and provide supporting documents.

 

What documents are needed for a Schengen visa?

You need a valid passport, completed application form, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, financial means, travel itinerary, and recent passport photos.

 

How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?

Processing typically takes 15 days but can be longer during busy periods or if further documents are requested.

 

What is ETIAS, and will it replace the Schengen visa?

ETIAS is a travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers, including UK nationals. It is expected to launch in 2025 and does not replace the Schengen visa for non-exempt countries.

 

Can I visit multiple countries with one Schengen visa?

Yes, the Schengen visa allows travel to all 27 Schengen countries, provided you meet the entry requirements and follow your travel itinerary.

 

What happens if my Schengen visa application is refused?

If refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons. You can appeal the decision or submit a new application with additional supporting documents.