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Schengen visa

One visa, 29 countries.

How the Schengen visa works for UK residents: which country to apply to, how long you can stay, what it costs and what you need. Then pick your destination for its full guide.

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Schengen visa at a glance

Countries
29
One visa covers them all
Length of stay
90 days
In any 180-day period
Visa fee
€90
€45 for children aged 6 to 12
Medical insurance
€30,000
Minimum cover, valid in every state
When to apply
6 months
At the earliest; 15 days at the latest
Decision
15 days
Usually; up to 45 in some cases
01Where to apply

Which Schengen country to apply to

You apply to the country of your main destination: the one where you will spend the most nights, or where the main purpose of the trip is. If your nights are split evenly and no country is the main one, you apply to the country whose border you cross first.

Applying to the wrong country is one of the most common reasons an application is returned, so we confirm it from your itinerary first.

02How long you can stay

The 90/180 rule

A short-stay Schengen visa lets you spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole area. On any day, count back 180 days: no more than 90 of them may have been spent inside Schengen.

Your visa can allow fewer days than that. The number of days and entries printed on the visa sticker is what you must keep to.

03What you need

Schengen visa documents

  • Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid 3 months after you leave
  • Proof of UK residence, if you are not a British citizen
  • Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover
  • Bank statements and proof of employment or income
  • Flight and accommodation details for the whole trip

Each country guide has the full checklist for that consulate.

04Timing

When to apply

You can apply up to six months before you travel and no later than 15 calendar days before. A decision usually takes about 15 days after your appointment, and can take up to 45 when a consulate needs more checks.

In spring and summer, appointments are the bottleneck rather than the decision, so book early.

05Country guides

Schengen visa guides by country.

06Questions

Schengen visa questions.

No. British passport holders can visit the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Residents of the UK who hold another passport often do need one, and we check this for your nationality first.

The country of your main destination: where you will spend the most nights, or where the main purpose of the trip is. If no country is the main destination, you apply to the one whose border you will cross first.

On any day of your trip, count back 180 days. You may have spent no more than 90 of them in the Schengen Area. Days in every Schengen country count towards the same total.

Up to six months before you travel, and no later than 15 calendar days before. Appointments at busy centres book up weeks ahead in summer, so applying early is safer.

Usually yes. Many consulates ask for UK residence that stays valid for at least three months after you return. We check the rule for the country you are applying to.

Yes, at your appointment, unless you gave them for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months. Children under 12 are exempt.