TL;DR
London is the only UK city where every Schengen country can be applied for: VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International and GVC World all run centres here, and Poland, Luxembourg and Romania take applications directly. That also makes it the busiest. Slots release in batches through the day, so check at different times, book early, and try another UK city such as Manchester. Avoid unofficial guaranteed slot resellers, since several consulates void bot-booked appointments.
How to get a Schengen appointment in London
To get a Schengen visa appointment in London, book through the operator that handles your destination country, VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International or GVC World, on its UK site, choosing London. For Poland or Luxembourg, apply directly at the London embassy, and for Romania on the eViza portal, then at its consulate. Slots change constantly, so check the live calendar and book early.
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Visa fee (child 6 to 11) | €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 |
Which operator to book, London centres
London is the only UK city where every Schengen country can be applied for. Match your destination to its operator:
| Operator | Countries (UK) |
|---|---|
| VFS Global | Most Schengen states |
| TLScontact | France, Germany, Belgium |
| BLS International | Spain |
| GVC World | Greece |
| Embassy or consulate direct | Poland, Luxembourg, Romania (eViza portal) |
Confirm the current operator on your destination consulate's official site.
Steps
- Identify your operator (table above) and create an account on its UK site.
- Select London as the city and pick an available slot.
- Complete any online form required by the consulate.
- Attend in person for biometrics and to submit documents.
If London has no slots
London is the busiest UK location, so slots can disappear fast. We can't quote a wait time, availability shifts through the day as slots release in batches, and by season. Useful tactics:
- Check at different times of day for fresh batches.
- Try another UK city for the same country, see Manchester appointments.
- Book early, especially before summer.
Avoid unofficial "guaranteed slot" resellers; several consulates void bot-booked appointments. See the full picture on getting a Schengen appointment in the UK.
Before your appointment
- Checklist generator, your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor, assemble and size your file
- Confirm which country you should apply to
Want a human to check it first? Our done-for-you Schengen service reviews your whole application; see what's inside the price. Start at the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I get a Schengen visa appointment in London?
Find the operator for your destination country, VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International or GVC World, and book on its UK site, choosing London as the city. For Poland or Luxembourg you apply directly at the London embassy, and for Romania on the eViza portal before lodging at its consulate. You then attend in person for biometrics and to submit documents.
- 02
Which Schengen visa centres are in London?
London hosts centres for all four operators, VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International and GVC World, plus the embassies for Poland and Luxembourg and the Romanian consulate. It is the one UK city where every Schengen country can be applied for, which also makes it the busiest.
- 03
What if there are no Schengen appointments in London?
If London is full for your country, another UK city handling the same country, often Manchester or Edinburgh, may have earlier slots, and you can usually apply at any UK centre. Slots also release in batches through the day, so checking at different times helps.
- 04
How early should I book a London Schengen appointment?
As early as you can. Many consulates let you apply up to six months before travel, and London slots are in high demand, especially before summer. Allow time for the standard 15-day processing (up to 45 in some cases) plus a buffer before your trip.
- 05
Should I use a guaranteed slot service to book a London appointment?
No. Several consulates void bot-booked appointments, so unofficial guaranteed slot resellers are best avoided. Use the operator's own UK site instead, check the live calendar at different times of day for fresh batches, book early, especially before summer, and if London is full try another UK city such as Manchester that handles your country.
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