TL;DR
For a Schengen visa from the UK you need your passport, the application form and photo, proof of UK residence, travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, bank statements, travel insurance with €30,000+ cover, and evidence you'll return to the UK. The fixed facts:
| 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 core document set
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Identity | Passport (issued ≤10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your trip, 2 blank pages); previous passports |
| Application | Completed, signed form; one recent biometric photo to spec |
| UK residence | BRP, eVisa share code, or valid UK visa proving lawful residence |
| Trip | Round-trip flights, accommodation for every night, a day-by-day itinerary |
| Funds | 3–6 months of bank statements; payslips; proof of income |
| Insurance | Travel insurance covering the whole area, €30,000+ medical/repatriation |
| Ties to UK | Employer/university letter, tenancy/property, family, UK status |
Passport
Issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages. Include older passports that show prior travel — a clean travel history helps.
Proof of UK residence
You're applying from the UK, so you must prove you live here lawfully: your BRP, eVisa share code, or the visa in your passport. Your UK status should remain valid well beyond your trip dates.
Bank statements and funds
Show you can fund the trip without working. Three to six months of statements showing stable, sufficient funds that match your stated income and the cost of your itinerary. A large unexplained deposit just before applying reads as borrowed money and weakens the case.
Travel insurance (mandatory)
A policy covering the entire Schengen area for your whole trip, with at least €30,000 in medical and repatriation cover. Buy it before you apply and include the certificate. (A travel-insurance link is a genuinely useful add-on at this step.)
Proof you'll return to the UK
This is the heart of the decision — the same logic as a UK visitor visa, in reverse. The consulate must believe you'll leave the Schengen area and return to the UK:
- Employer letter confirming your job, salary, approved leave and return-to-work date
- University letter if you're a student
- Tenancy or property in the UK
- Family and other commitments here
- Your valid UK immigration status
Weak UK ties are a leading reason Schengen visas from the UK are refused — see Schengen visa refused from the UK.
Cover letter and itinerary
A short cover letter ties everything together: who you are, your trip purpose and exact dates, where you'll stay, how you'll fund it, and your commitment to return to the UK. Pair it with a clear day-by-day itinerary consistent with your bookings.
Assemble it cleanly
- Checklist generator — a tailored document list
- Bundler — merge everything into one ordered PDF
- Compressor — fit the visa centre's upload limit
Not sure you've got it right? Our done-for-you Schengen service puts a human eye over your whole application before you submit. For the full overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
What documents do I need for a Schengen visa from the UK?
A passport (issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your trip), the completed application form, a photo, proof of UK residence (BRP, eVisa or visa), round-trip travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, bank statements (usually 3–6 months), travel insurance with at least €30,000 cover, and proof of your ties to the UK.
- 02
How much money do I need to show for a Schengen visa?
There's no single fixed figure — you must show enough to cover your trip, which most consulates assess against your itinerary and length of stay. Three to six months of bank statements showing stable funds, consistent with your stated income and trip cost, is the norm. Some consulates publish an indicative daily amount.
- 03
Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?
Yes — it's mandatory. The policy must cover the whole Schengen area for your full trip with a minimum of €30,000 in medical and repatriation cover. You include the certificate in your application.
- 04
Do I need to prove I'll return to the UK?
Yes. As a UK resident you must show you'll return after your trip — through your UK job (employer letter and leave dates), studies, tenancy or property, family, and your valid UK immigration status. Weak evidence of UK ties is a leading refusal reason.
- 05
Do I need a cover letter for a Schengen visa?
It's not always mandatory but it's strongly recommended. A short cover letter explaining who you are, your trip purpose and dates, where you'll stay, how you'll fund it, and that you'll return to the UK ties the whole application together for the caseworker.
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