Schengen visa · from the UK
Apply for a Schengen visa from the UK — without the guesswork.
If you live in the UK on a BRP or visa and want to travel to Europe, you need a Schengen short-stay visa. Here's exactly how to apply, the documents you need, and — if you want it — a human to review your application before you submit.
No. 01 — The facts
Schengen short-stay visa, at a glance
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Visa fee (child 6–12) | €45 |
| Visa fee (child under 6) | Free |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any rolling 180-day period |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45 in some cases) |
| Travel insurance — minimum cover | €30,000 |
| Passport | Issued within 10 years; valid 3+ months beyond your trip |
| Member states | 29 countries |
The fee and rules above are set EU-wide. What differs by country is where you apply (the visa centre operator) and how long appointments take to get.
No. 02 — Guides
Everything you need to get it right
- 01Schengen 90/180-Day Rule Explained (2026, UK Guide)The Schengen 90/180-day rule explained for UK travellers in 2026 — how the rolling 180-day window works, worked examples, mistakes, and what overstaying costs.
- 02Schengen Visa Accommodation Proof from the UKWhat accommodation proof a Schengen visa needs from the UK in 2026 — hotel bookings for every night, a host's address, matching your itinerary and dates.
- 03Schengen Visa Appointment in the UK: How to Get OneHow to get a Schengen visa appointment in the UK in 2026 — which centre handles which country, why slots are scarce, and how to find availability faster.
- 04Austria Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long an Austria Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 05Schengen Visa Bank Statement Requirements (UK, 2026)What bank statements a Schengen visa needs from the UK — how many months, how much is enough, whose account, red flags to avoid, and the correct format.
- 06Schengen Visa Biometrics in the UK: What to Expect (2026)What happens at the Schengen visa biometrics step in the UK in 2026 — fingerprints and a photo, the 59-month rule, who's exempt, what to bring and the day itself.
- 07Schengen Visa Services UK: Prices Compared (June 2026)We surveyed UK Schengen visa services and compared published prices — service fees, what's included, and the real all-in totals. Dated, sourced, and linked.
- 08How to Check Your Schengen Visa Status from the UKTrack your Schengen visa application from the UK — online tracking with VFS, TLScontact, BLS or GVC, SMS and email updates, the typical statuses, and when to worry.
- 09Schengen Visa for a Child from the UK (2026 Guide)How to apply for a Schengen visa for a child or minor from the UK in 2026 — reduced fees, birth certificate, parental consent letters and the documents minors need.
- 10Schengen Visa Cover Letter from the UK: Template & TipsHow to write a Schengen visa cover letter from the UK — what to include, a clear template outline, and dos and don'ts that prove you'll return to the UK.
- 11Schengen Visa Documents from the UK (2026 Checklist)The documents you need for a Schengen visa from the UK in 2026 — passport, UK residence proof, bank statements, travel insurance, itinerary and cover letter.
- 12Schengen Visa Fees from the UK Explained (2026 Costs)What a Schengen visa really costs from the UK in 2026 — the fixed €90 consulate fee, the VFS/TLScontact service fee, optional extras and mandatory insurance.
- 13Schengen Visa Flight Reservation: Do I Book First?Do you need to book flights for a Schengen visa from the UK? How a flight reservation or itinerary works, why not to buy non-refundable tickets, and the safest approach.
- 14France Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a France Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a TLScontact application, and when to apply.
- 15Germany Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Germany Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a TLScontact application, and when to apply.
- 16Greece Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Greece Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a GVC World application, and when to apply.
- 17Schengen Visa Invitation Letter from a Host: What to IncludeA host's letter of invitation for a Schengen visa — what it must contain, the host's supporting documents, sponsorship forms, and how it differs from your cover letter.
- 18Italy Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long an Italy Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 19Schengen Multiple-Entry Visa from the UK ExplainedHow a Schengen multiple-entry visa works from the UK — single vs double vs multiple entry, 1/3/5-year validity, the cascade rule, and the 90/180 limit.
- 20Netherlands Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UKHow long a Netherlands Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 21Norway Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Norway Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 22Schengen Visa Photo Requirements from the UK (2026 Spec)The Schengen visa photo spec for UK applicants in 2026 — size 35x45mm, neutral background, recent, no glasses glare — plus where to get one and why photos get rejected.
- 23Portugal Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Portugal Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 24Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Schengen visa takes from the UK in 2026 — the 15-day standard, when it extends to 30 or 45 days, what affects it, and when to apply to beat scarcity.
- 25Schengen Visa Refused from the UK: Reasons & What to DoWhy Schengen visas get refused from the UK in 2026 — weak UK ties, funds and insurance issues — plus how to appeal or reapply with a stronger application.
- 26Schengen Proof of Funds from the UK (2026): How Much?How to prove sufficient funds for a Schengen visa from the UK in 2026 — how much is enough, the bank statements to show, sponsorship, and red flags that cause refusals.
- 27Spain Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UK (2026)How long a Spain Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a BLS application, and when to apply.
- 28Switzerland Schengen Visa Processing Time From the UKHow long a Switzerland Schengen visa takes from the UK: the 15-day standard, when it extends to 45, what delays a VFS Global application, and when to apply.
- 29TLScontact Schengen Appointment UK (France, Germany, Belgium)How to book a TLScontact Schengen appointment in the UK for France, Germany or Belgium in 2026 — account setup, cities, slots, and what to prepare beforehand.
- 30Schengen Travel Insurance from the UK (2026 Guide)What Schengen visa travel insurance must cover from the UK — €30,000 minimum, the whole area, your full trip — plus how to buy it and avoid common mistakes.
- 31Schengen Visa with a UK BRP or eVisa (2026 Guide)How a UK BRP, eVisa or visa lets a non-EU national apply for a Schengen visa from the UK — proving residence, sharing an eVisa, and why you still need the visa.
- 32UK→Schengen Visa Cost Index 2026: All 28 Countries RankedEvery Schengen country ranked by what a visa really costs from the UK in 2026 — consulate fee + each visa centre's fee + insurance, verified against official sources.
- 33VFS Global Schengen Appointment in the UK: How to BookHow to book a Schengen visa appointment at VFS Global in the UK in 2026 — create an account, pick your country and city, choose a slot, and what to bring.
- 34Which Schengen Country Should I Apply To? (From the UK)How to choose which Schengen country to apply to from the UK in 2026 — the main-destination and first-entry rules, and why applying to the wrong one gets refused.
Done-for-you — pick your destination
Your all-in price, by country
Break any destination down with the cost calculator, or see how our pricing compares with other UK services in the June 2026 price survey.
Popular destinations from the UK
By your nationality
Schengen Visa Appointment in London (2026): How to Get One →Schengen Visa Appointment in Manchester (2026): How to Book →Schengen Visa for Bangladeshis in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Chinese Nationals in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Egyptians in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Filipinos in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Business Visa from the UK (2026): How to Apply →Family Schengen Visa from the UK (2026): Apply Together →Schengen Visa for International Students in the UK (2026) →Schengen Visa for Ghanaians in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Indians in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Indonesians in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Kenyans in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Moroccans in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Nepalese Nationals in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Nigerians in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Pakistanis in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for South Africans in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Sri Lankans in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Turkish Nationals in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Vietnamese Nationals in the UK (2026 Guide) →Schengen Visa for Zimbabweans in the UK (2026 Guide) →
No. 03 — Done-for-you
Let us do your whole Schengen application
One payment, and we handle it end to end — the forms, the document pack, the appointment booking, and the consulate fee (€90), visa-centre fee and insurance, all paid by us on your behalf. The price is set per destination because the visa-centre fee varies; pick your country to see the exact all-in number. You attend the biometrics appointment in person, and the consulate alone decides the visa. Of the UK Schengen services we surveyed in June 2026, ours had the lowest published all-in price — see the full comparison.
Done-for-youfrom £143
- We complete the application forms
- We build your document pack to the consulate's spec
- We book your appointment & pay all the fees
- One payment — consulate fee, centre fee & insurance included
- You just attend biometrics in person
Self-Serve£39
- Country + nationality document checklist
- Cover-letter & itinerary templates
- Document bundler & compressor
- Self-review rubric — you apply yourself
What it all costs — in full, nothing hidden
| Inside your price | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate visa fee | €90 (≈ £81) | Paid to the consulate — by us, for you |
| Visa-centre service fee | £20–£35 (varies by country) | Paid to VFS / TLScontact / BLS / GVC — by us, for you |
| Travel insurance (mandatory) | £12 | Arranged and paid by us, for you |
| Our preparation service | £50 | Forms, document pack, appointment booking, support |
| All-in, one payment | £143–£188 | Nothing else to pay us |
What we do and don't do.We prepare and lodge your application and pay the official fees on your behalf — this is a document-preparation service, not immigration advice, and not a guarantee of any outcome. You must attend the biometrics appointment in person; the consulate alone decides your visa, and we don't and can't guarantee approval. Your documents are handled securely and deleted after your application is complete.
No. 04 — Common questions
Schengen-from-the-UK FAQ
- Can I apply for a Schengen visa from the UK?
- Yes, if you legally live in the UK with a valid status (BRP, eVisa, or a visa such as Skilled Worker, Student, Spouse or Graduate). You apply to the country that is your main destination, through its UK visa application centre (VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS or GVC World), and you must show you'll return to the UK after your trip.
- How much does a Schengen visa cost from the UK?
- The consulate fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12, and free for under-6s — fixed and identical across all 29 member states. The UK visa application centre adds its own service fee on top, and travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover is required.
- Which Schengen country should I apply to?
- Apply to the country where you'll spend the most time (your main destination). If you're spending equal time in several, apply to the country you'll enter first. Applying to the wrong country is a common reason for refusal.
- How long does a Schengen visa take from the UK?
- Standard processing is 15 calendar days from your appointment, though it can take up to 45 days in some cases. Apply early — appointment slots at UK centres are often scarce, especially before summer.
- Why do Schengen visas from the UK get refused?
- The most common reasons are doubt that you'll return to the UK (weak ties), insufficient or inconsistent financial evidence, missing travel insurance, an unclear itinerary, or applying to the wrong country. Strong, consistent evidence of your UK life and a clear trip plan are key.