Do you need a Schengen visa?
British citizens do not need a visa for short Schengen stays (90 days in any 180). This guide is for UK residents on other passports — including Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian and many other nationals living in the UK — who need a short-stay (Type C) visa for Europe.
Apply to the country that is your main destination (most nights). If nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first.
The document checklist that gets approved
- ·Passport valid 3+ months beyond your return, with two blank pages
- ·UK residence permit (BRP/eVisa share code) valid 3+ months beyond return
- ·Completed application form + one biometric photo (35×45mm)
- ·Travel insurance with €30,000 medical cover for the whole Schengen area
- ·Flight reservation and hotel bookings for every night — we provide embassy-compliant reservations with our visa service
- ·Last 3 months' bank statements and payslips, or business accounts if self-employed
- ·Employer letter confirming role, salary and approved leave dates
The single most common refusal reason is inconsistent paperwork — dates on bookings that don't match the form, or unexplained large deposits in bank statements. Have every document tell the same story.
Fees and waiting times
The standard Schengen fee is €90 per adult (children 6–12: €45, under 6: free), paid to the consulate, plus the visa centre's service charge (typically £30–£45).
Appointment availability is the real bottleneck: France, Spain and Italy centres in London and Manchester can run 3–6 weeks ahead in high season. Processing after biometrics is officially 15 calendar days, usually faster.
Start the process 8–10 weeks before travel. Our visa desk books your appointment, prepares the file, and provides the flight and hotel reservations the consulates expect.