Schengen Visas
The follow countries signed up to the Schengen Agreement.
(EU members) Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland
Other countries covered by but are not full signatories include:
Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.
Note that the UK and Ireland are not members of the Schengen agreement along with a number of EU countries.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to travel to the Schengen countries.
Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, (FYR) Macedonia*, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia **, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela
* The visa exemption applies only to holders of biometric passports.
** Except for holders of a Serbian passport issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
For the remaining countries citizens, they are required to apply for a visa should be applied for in the principle country of your visit. If you are spending equal times in 2 or more countries you should apply at the embassy of the country of your arrival.
Holders of the following British Passports will have to apply for a visa as well:
• British Subject (without the right of abode in the UK)
• British Dependent Territories
• British Overseas Citizens
• British Protected Persons
There are various lengths of visa are available the charge at all relevant embassies is €60 payable in cash (in UK this can be paid In GBP).
• Airport transit visa 60,- € NOTE: Transiting airports in some countries requires you to enter the counter e.g. TEGAL Airport in Berlin.
• Transit visa (max. 5 days) 60,- €
• Visa (max. 30 days) 60,- €
• Visa (max. 90 days, with 1 entry) 60,- €
• Visa (max. 90 days, with 2 or more entries) 60,- €
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 1 year 60,- €
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 2 years 60,- €
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 3 years 60,- €
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 4 years 60,- €
• Multiple-entry visa, valid for 5 years 60,- €
For applicants with the nationality of a country with which the European Union has concluded (or will conclude) a visa facilitation agreement (Albania, Bosnia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine), the rate is €35
Processing time and exact requirements of visa can vary form country to country if applying in person it can be done in a few hours with certain embassies (do not relay on this, it is advisable to get your visa in plenty of time) when applying by post it can take up to a few weeks.
For citizens with a residence permit to the UK when applying the UK the documents required are:
• A passport with one blank page and residence permit for the UK, both valid for at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa.
Visa application form with 1 colour passport photo (check the particular embassy requirements i.e. number of photos required, size & background colour).
• Travel and health insurance covering at least £20,000 medical and valid for all member states of Schengen for the length of your visit.
• Proof of travel: A confirmed return ticket or booking fully paid from your travel agent (including itinerary if participating in a tour).
• Confirmed accommodation booking covering ALL your stay in the Schengen countries.
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay, e.g. recent bank statement, traveller’s cheques or credit cards (only in addition to your recent bank statement also confirming credit limit). Please note that cash is not acceptable proof.
• Evidence of occupation/student status (from within the last month).
When applying outside the UK please check with the relevant embassy for there requirements. Your place of residence with in the UK may determine where you should apply for you Visa, if you are resident in Scotland you may have to apply at the relevant consulate in Edinburgh.
