Travel To The Uk: Schengen Visa Requirements And Restrictions

The UK is not a part of the Schengen area and has an independent visa regime. This means that a Schengen visa alone will not allow you to enter the UK. If you want to enter the UK, you will need a UK visa. If you plan on visiting the UK from a Schengen country, you will need both visas. However, if you already have a UK visa, getting a Schengen visa is much easier.

UK and Schengen visas are independent endorsements

The UK is not a part of the Schengen Area and has never been a member. The UK also never adopted the Euro and has a special status under EU law. As a result, the UK and Schengen visas are two independent endorsements. Neither of them alone can grant you entry to the other. However, having a UK visa will make it easier to obtain a Schengen visa.

The UK and the EU have a visa-free travel arrangement, meaning that UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Schengen countries for short trips. From 2023, UK citizens will need to apply for ETIAS authorization to visit the Schengen Area without a visa. This will allow them to visit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, you must submit your application at the embassy or consulate of your destination country. Alternatively, you can apply via the VFS Global company, which has centres in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester. The Schengen visa application process typically involves filling out an application form, booking an appointment, and attending a visa appointment with the required documents and fees.

It is important to note that if you are visiting the UK as a tourist, you cannot apply for a Schengen visa while in the country. The application must be made from your home country.

UK citizens don't need a visa for short trips to the EU or Schengen area

UK citizens do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or Schengen area. A short trip is defined as a stay of 90 days or less in a 180-day period. This applies to UK citizens visiting as tourists or for certain other reasons, such as:

• Studying a short course
• Getting medical treatment
• Travelling for business
• Journalism or other media activities

It's important to note that these rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland.

From 2023, UK citizens will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorization to visit the Schengen Area without a visa. ETIAS is an electronic system that will keep track of visitors to the Schengen Area who do not require a visa. To visit EU countries, British nationals will be required to complete an online form that includes questions about their health, employment, and criminal convictions. There will be a fee of €7 (£6/$8) for a permit that will be valid for three years. On arrival, travellers will need to have their data verified, their picture and fingerprints taken, and they will be asked questions about their visit.

While UK citizens can still travel to the EU due to the visa-free arrangement, there may be longer queues at passport control as they can no longer use the terminals reserved for EU citizens.

UK citizens need a passport to travel to EU/Schengen countries

If you are a UK citizen and a British passport holder, you do not need a visa to visit EU/Schengen countries for short trips. You can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. This is because the UK and EU have a visa-free travel arrangement. However, you will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation to visit the Schengen Area without a visa. ETIAS is an electronic system that keeps track of visitors to the Schengen Area who do not require a visa. It is expected to be in operation by the end of 2022 but will not be mandatory until 2023.

When travelling to the EU/Schengen area, your passport must meet certain requirements. It should be valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the EU/Schengen area and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.

From November 2024, there will be some changes to the EU Entry/Exit System. You will need to get your fingerprints and photo taken when entering and leaving the Schengen Area. This may result in longer queues at borders. If you enter the Schengen Area through Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone, or St Pancras International, your fingerprints and photo will be taken before you leave the UK.

In addition to the passport requirements, there are a few other things to keep in mind when travelling to the EU/Schengen area. You will need to receive a stamp at passport control when entering or leaving the Schengen Area. This is important to ensure that you do not overstay the 90-day limit. There may also be longer waits at passport control as UK nationals can no longer use the terminals reserved for EU citizens.

UK citizens can stay in the EU, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period

It is important to note that this rule only applies to the countries within the Schengen Area, which includes 27 countries, not all of which are in the EU. The Schengen Area includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. UK citizens can travel to multiple countries within the Schengen Area within a 180-day period, but their total stay across all these countries must not exceed 90 days.

From 2023, UK citizens will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation to visit the Schengen Area without a visa. ETIAS is an electronic system that will keep track of visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen Area. To obtain ETIAS authorisation, British nationals will need to complete an online form with information about their health, employment, and criminal convictions. There will also be a fee of €7 (£6/$8) for a permit valid for three years.

While UK citizens can stay in the EU, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland for short periods without a visa, they will need to apply for a visa for longer stays or if they plan to work or study in these countries. The criteria for work and study visas vary from country to country and are dealt with on a country-by-country basis.

UK residents who are not UK nationals may need a Schengen visa

For example, countries like Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and the US all have their own visa-free arrangements with the Schengen Area. So, if you're a citizen of one of these countries, your UK residence permit and your passport should be enough to visit Europe.

On the other hand, countries like Algeria, Bangladesh, China, India, and Tunisia, among others, have not signed visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen Area. This means that, even if you have a residency permit in the UK, you'll likely still need to apply for the Schengen visa.

It is recommended that you check the official website of the European Union, the official website of the government of your destination country of choice, and that of your home country.

Frequently asked questions