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UK residents · Country guide

Schengen visa from the UK for UK residents

In brief

You apply to the Schengen state of your only destination; with several destinations, to the main one by days or purpose; if there is no main destination, to the state whose external border you cross first.1 The visa fee is EUR 90, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and waived for children under 6.1 A visa centre (external service provider) may charge a service fee of at most half the adult visa fee, i.e. EUR 45.1

In the UK, 17 of the 29 states take applications through VFS Global; others use TLScontact, Global Visa Center World and BLS International. Slovakia names both VFS Global and BLS International. Luxembourg and Poland take applications at the embassy. For Czechia, France, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Romania, the official pages we could read don't confirm where.

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 11 June 2024Report a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. Where to apply, state by state
  3. Which state you apply to
  4. Apply where you live
  5. Fees
  6. When to apply, how long it takes
  7. Documents
  8. Notes by state
  9. FAQ
  10. Sources

Where to apply in the UK, state by state

Most Schengen states take applications in the UK through a visa centre: you book an appointment, hand in your documents and give fingerprints there, and the consulate decides. Amounts are as each state's mission or visa centre states them; the visa fee itself is set by EU law.

StateWhere you applyCentresVisa fee, adultService feeOfficial page
AustriaVFS Global3London, Manchester, Edinburgh4GBP 77.90 (EUR 90)4GBP 28.804bmeia.gv.atBook
BelgiumTLScontact5London, Edinburgh, Manchester5EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedunitedkingdom.diplomatie.belgium.beBook
BulgariaVFS Global7London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh7GBP 77 (EUR 90)7GBP 29.707vfsglobal.comBook
CroatiaVFS Global8London, Manchester, Edinburgh8GBP 78.288EUR 33 (London) / EUR 36 (Manchester, Edinburgh)8vfsglobal.comBook
CzechiaNot confirmed on the official pages we read—EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedmzv.gov.cz
DenmarkVFS Global10London, Manchester, Edinburgh10EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedvfsglobal.comBook
EstoniaVFS Global11London12EUR 9012GBP 10.3512london.mfa.eeBook
FinlandVFS Global13London, Manchester, Edinburgh13EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedEUR 20.0013vfsglobal.comBook
FranceNot confirmed on the official pages we read—EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot stateduk.diplomatie.gouv.frBook
GermanyTLScontact15London, Manchester, Edinburgh15EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot stateduk.diplo.deBook
GreeceGlobal Visa Center World (GVCW)16London, Edinburgh, Manchester17EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedmfa.grBook
HungaryVFS Global18London, Manchester, Edinburgh18GBP 80.00 (EUR 90)18GBP 25.0018vfsglobal.comBook
IcelandVFS Global (applications decided by the Embassy of Iceland in London)19Edinburgh, London, Manchester19GBP 78 (EUR 90)20EUR 4020island.isBook
ItalyVFS Global21London, Manchester, Edinburgh21EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedconslondra.esteri.itBook
LatviaVFS Global22London, Manchester, Edinburgh22EUR 9022GBP 29.5622vfsglobal.comBook
LiechtensteinNot confirmed on the official pages we read—EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedschweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.ch
LithuaniaNot confirmed on the official pages we read—EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot stateduk.mfa.lt
LuxembourgThe embassy in London (appointment by email)24London24EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNone (no visa centre)londres.mae.luEmail for an appointment
MaltaVFS Global25London, Manchester, Edinburgh25GBP 77 (EUR 90)25GBP 27.3825vfsglobal.comBook
NetherlandsVFS Global26Birmingham, Edinburgh, London, Manchester26EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedEUR 18.0027netherlandsworldwide.nlBook
NorwayVFS Global28London, Edinburgh28EUR 9029EUR 2729norway.noBook
PolandThe embassy in London (no visa centre)30London30GBP 7930None (no visa centre)gov.plBook
PortugalVFS Global31London, Manchester, Edinburgh31EUR 9031GBP 32.8531vfsglobal.comBook
RomaniaNot confirmed on the official pages we read—EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedlondra.mae.ro
SlovakiaVFS Global and BLS International32London, Edinburgh32Paid in GBP cash (amount not stated)32Not statedmzv.sk
SloveniaVFS Global33London, Manchester, Edinburgh33EUR 9033GBP 18.2533vfsglobal.comBook
SpainBLS International34London34EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedexteriores.gob.esBook
SwedenVFS Global (Sweden e-application portal)35London, Edinburgh35EUR 90 (EU fee)1; pound amount not statedNot statedvfsglobal.comBook
SwitzerlandVFS Global36London, Manchester, Edinburgh37GBP 76.00 (EUR 90)37GBP 2037schweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.chBook

Which state you apply to

You don't choose the state with the easiest process: the EU Visa Code decides.

  • You apply to the Schengen state of your only destination; with several destinations, to the main one by days or purpose; if there is no main destination, to the state whose external border you cross first.

    The Member State competent for examining and deciding on an application for a uniform visa shall be: (a) the Member State whose territory constitutes the sole destination of the visit(s); (b) if the visit includes more than one destination, or if several separate visits are to be carried out within a period of two months, the Member State whose territory constitutes the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length of stay, counted in days, or the purpose of stay; or (c) if no main destination can be determined, the Member State whose external border the applicant intends to cross in order to enter the territory of the Member States.EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 11 June 2024 · checked

  • A Schengen state may represent another in a country, either fully (examining and deciding) or only for collecting applications and biometrics.

    A Member State may agree to represent another Member State that is competent in accordance with Article 5 for the purpose of examining and deciding on applications on behalf of that Member State. A Member State may also represent another Member State in a limited manner solely for the collection of applications and the enrolment of biometric identifiers.EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 11 June 2024 · checked

Apply where you live

  • The application is decided by the consulate of that state in whose jurisdiction the applicant legally resides; someone legally present but not resident must justify applying there.

    An application shall be examined and decided on by the consulate of the competent Member State in whose jurisdiction the applicant legally resides. … A consulate of the competent Member State shall examine and decide on an application lodged by a third-country national legally present but not residing in its jurisdiction, if the applicant has provided justification for lodging the application at that consulate.EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 11 June 2024 · checked

Fees

The visa fee is the same in every Schengen state; each mission converts it into pounds, so the amounts in the table differ. A visa centre's service fee comes on top.

When to apply and how long it takes

Documents

Each state adds its own items for applicants in the UK: check the checklist on its official page, linked in the table and below.

Notes by state

Austria

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: bmeia.gv.at.

Belgium

Where you apply: TLScontact. Official page: unitedkingdom.diplomatie.belgium.be.

Bulgaria

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Croatia

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Czechia

Where you apply: not confirmed on the official pages we read. Official page: mzv.gov.cz.

Denmark

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Estonia

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: london.mfa.ee.

Finland

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

France

Where you apply: not confirmed on the official pages we read. Official page: uk.diplomatie.gouv.fr.

Germany

Where you apply: TLScontact. Official page: uk.diplo.de.

Greece

Where you apply: Global Visa Center World (GVCW). Official page: mfa.gr.

Hungary

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Iceland

Where you apply: VFS Global (applications decided by the Embassy of Iceland in London). Official page: island.is.

Italy

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: conslondra.esteri.it.

Latvia

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Liechtenstein

Where you apply: not confirmed on the official pages we read. Official page: schweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.ch.

Lithuania

Where you apply: not confirmed on the official pages we read. Official page: uk.mfa.lt.

Not stated by the official sources we read.

Luxembourg

Where you apply: The embassy in London (appointment by email). Official page: londres.mae.lu.

  • The Luxembourg Embassy in London takes visa applications by prior appointment only; appointment requests go strictly by email.

    Embassy of Luxembourg in London · checked

Malta

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Netherlands

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: netherlandsworldwide.nl.

Norway

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: norway.no.

Poland

Where you apply: The embassy in London (no visa centre). Official page: gov.pl.

Portugal

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Romania

Where you apply: not confirmed on the official pages we read. Official page: londra.mae.ro.

Not stated by the official sources we read.

Slovakia

Where you apply: VFS Global and BLS International. Official page: mzv.sk.

Slovenia

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Spain

Where you apply: BLS International. Official page: exteriores.gob.es.

Sweden

Where you apply: VFS Global (Sweden e-application portal). Official page: vfsglobal.com.

Switzerland

Where you apply: VFS Global. Official page: schweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.ch.

FAQ

Does the UK have a Schengen visa?

No. The UK is not one of the 29 Schengen states listed on this page, so it issues no Schengen visas. UK residents who need one apply in the UK, to a Schengen state's consulate or its visa centre. You apply to the Schengen state of your only destination; with several destinations, to the main one by days or purpose; if there is no main destination, to the state whose external border you cross first.

How much does a Schengen visa cost from the UK?

The visa fee is EUR 90, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and waived for children under 6. A visa centre (external service provider) may charge a service fee of at most half the adult visa fee, i.e. EUR 45. The amounts in pounds that each state's mission or visa centre states are in the table above.

Which countries are in the Schengen area in 2026?

The 29 states in the table above: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

How can I get a Spain visa from the UK?

Schengen applications for Spain are submitted at the BLS International visa application centre, by appointment. Applicants must prove residence in the consular district. The visa fee is paid in local currency when the application is submitted and changes with exchange rates.

Can I enter the Schengen area with a UK residence permit?

UK residence does not remove the visa requirement: nationals who need a visa for Greece need a Schengen visa even with a UK residence permit. Since 28 June 2024, holders of a valid UK BRP card no longer need an Italian airport transit visa; a UK visa alone does not exempt.

How long does a Schengen visa take from the UK?

The consulate decides within 15 calendar days of an admissible application, extendable to at most 45 days in individual cases. The Commission states a normal processing time of 15 days, extendable to 45 days.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 11 June 2024 (Publications Office of the EU): where to apply, fees, timing and processing timepublications.europa.eu · checked
  2. European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs: fees, processing time and documentshome-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked
  3. Austrian Embassy London: Austriabmeia.gv.at · checked
  4. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Austria in the UK: Austriavfsglobal.com · checked
  5. Embassy of Belgium in the United Kingdom: Belgiumunitedkingdom.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked
  6. Embassy of Belgium in the United Kingdom: Belgiumunitedkingdom.diplomatie.belgium.be · checked
  7. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Bulgaria in the UK: Bulgariavfsglobal.com · checked
  8. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Croatia in the UK: Croatiavfsglobal.com · checked
  9. Embassy of the Czech Republic in London: Czechiamzv.gov.cz · checked
  10. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Denmark in the UK: Denmarkvfsglobal.com · checked
  11. Embassy of Estonia in London: Estonialondon.mfa.ee · checked
  12. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Estonia in the UK: Estoniavfsglobal.com · checked
  13. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Finland in the UK: Finlandvfsglobal.com · checked
  14. Embassy of France in the United Kingdom: Franceuk.diplomatie.gouv.fr · checked
  15. German Embassy London and Consulate General Edinburgh: Germanyuk.diplo.de · checked
  16. Embassy of Greece in London (Consular Office): Greecemfa.gr · checked
  17. Global Visa Center World (GVCW), visa application centre for Greece in the UK: Greeceuk-gr.gvcworld.eu · checked
  18. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Hungary in the UK: Hungaryvfsglobal.com · checked
  19. Government of Iceland (Island.is), Directorate of Immigration information: Icelandisland.is · checked
  20. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Iceland in the UK: Icelandvfsglobal.com · checked
  21. Consulate General of Italy in London: Italyconslondra.esteri.it · checked
  22. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Latvia in the UK: Latviavfsglobal.com · checked
  23. Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom: Liechtensteinschweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.ch · checked
  24. Embassy of Luxembourg in London: Luxembourglondres.mae.lu · checked
  25. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Malta in the UK: Maltavfsglobal.com · checked
  26. Netherlands Worldwide (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands): Netherlandsnetherlandsworldwide.nl · checked
  27. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Netherlands in the UK: Netherlandsvfsglobal.com · checked
  28. Royal Norwegian Embassy in London: Norwaynorway.no · checked
  29. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Norway in the UK: Norwayvfsglobal.com · checked
  30. Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London (Consular and Polish Diaspora Section): Polandgov.pl · checked
  31. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Portugal in the UK: Portugalvfsglobal.com · checked
  32. Embassy of the Slovak Republic in London: Slovakiamzv.sk · checked · read from an archived copy of 7 Apr 2026
  33. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Slovenia in the UK: Sloveniavfsglobal.com · checked
  34. Consulate General of Spain in London: Spainexteriores.gob.es · checked
  35. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Sweden in the UK: Swedenvfsglobal.com · checked
  36. Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom: Switzerlandschweiz-vereinigteskoenigreich.eda.admin.ch · checked
  37. VFS Global (official visa application centre operator for the mission), Switzerland in the UK: Switzerlandvfsglobal.com · checked

More: Schengen area entry rules by nationality · Schengen visa from Dubai · all visa guides.

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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.