In theory, a Schengen visa allows you to travel freely within those countries that are party to the Schengen agreement.
There is therefore a common misunderstanding by many applicants who mistakenly believe that they can apply for a visa at the embassy of any Schengen country to travel to or through that country or any of the other Schengen countries.
If a visa is needed, it is most important that you apply at the correct embassy.
It is virtually certain that your application will not be considered if you apply at any embassy other than the one relevant to your intended visit.
As of January 1, 2025, there are 29 countries in the Schengen Area (25 EU member states, 4 non-EU members) all party to the Schengen agreement and the embassy you should apply at depends on Schengen regulations which can be easily misinterpreted.
| The 29 countries are | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria Belgium Bulgaria Czechia Croatia Denmark Estonia Finland France | Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Lithuania Liechtenstein Luxemburg | Malta Norway The Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland |
Applying for a Schengen visa from the UK involves several steps.
Determine Your Need for a Visa: Check if you need a visa based on your nationality. UK citizens do not need a Schengen visa if their stay is under 90 days, but if you’re a non-UK national residing in the UK, you might need one.
Identify the Main Destination: If visiting multiple Schengen countries, apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most time. If the time is equal, apply at the embassy of the country you enter first.
Gather Required Documents
Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at the relevant embassy, consultants, or visa application centre (like Visa World) in the UK.
Submit Your Application:
Attend your appointment with all documents.
Pay the visa fee (€80 for adults, €40 for children aged 6-12).
Provide biometric data (fingerprints, photo)
Wait for Processing: The standard processing time is 15 days, but it can extend to 60 days if further checks are needed.
Collect Your Visa: Once processed, collect your passport with the visa sticker or have it collected or sent to you.
Remember, these steps can vary slightly depending on the specific Schengen country you’re applying through, so it’s wise to double-check with the embassy or consulate of the country you’re visiting for any additional requirements or changes.
Applications have to meet the requirements of the individual country as well as the additional regulations that the countries have agreed to as part of the Schengen agreement. Visa officers are therefore very thorough in their examination of documents and most exacting and precise when considering whether or not they are satisfied that requirements and regulations have been met.
Foreign nationals who have entered the U.K. on a six month visitor visa or less will, apart from very rare exceptions, not be able to obtain a visa to visit any Schengen state. The exceptions occur sometimes if the applicant applies in person and sometimes if the applicant is going to be on route to return to their country of nationality.