How to apply for a German Schengen visa from the UK

Since Brexit, travelling to EU countries - including Germany - requires a bit of extra planning for both British citizens and expats living in the UK.

Depending on your nationality and how long you plan to stay, you may need to apply for a German Schengen visa before your trip.

This comprehensive guide walks you through each step of the process so you can prepare with confidence and enjoy a stress-free visit.

And don’t forget the practical side: applying for a visa (not to mention travelling itself) involves some fees. With a Wise account, from the money services provider Wise, handling those fees is straightforward and transparent. You'll have access to 40+ currencies, so you can spend in 160+ countries worldwide, including Germany.

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In this article:

Who needs a Germany Schengen visa? Do you need a visa for Germany with a UK BRP card? What documents do you need for a Germany Schengen visa? Applying for a Germany Schengen visa from the UK Determine which type of visa you need Complete an online visa application Book your visa appointment Attend your visa appointment Track your application Tips to improve your Schengen visa application for Germany Which agencies can assist with Schengen visas? Making a Germany Schengen visa appointment in the UK How to pay for your German Schengen visa Save on application costs and avoid exchange rate mark-ups

Who needs a Germany Schengen visa?

Since Brexit, UK travellers have no longer been able to enjoy freedom of movement within the Schengen zone. They are, however, allowed to travel within the zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

That means you can make multiple trips within six months, as long as your total travel time does not exceed three months.¹

If you’re a UK resident, but don’t have British or EU/EEA citizenship, there’s a chance that you’ll need a Schengen visa (officially called the Schengen C) to visit Germany from the UK, whether your trip is for tourism, business purposes or reuniting with family members.

A German Schengen visa not only permits you to travel to Germany, but also other countries within the Schengen zone - whether you’re hopping over to one of Germany’s 10 neighbouring countries or further afield.

You should apply for the German Schengen Visa if Germany is the country which you’re planning to spend the most time in.²

As of October 12th, 2025, the UK has introduced a new entry/exit system. This means that you’ll need to get your fingerprints and photos taken upon entry or exit to the Schengen Zone.

Also coming soon: nationals of visa-exempt countries (such as British citizens) will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) from 2026 for short stays under the visa waiver regime.³

If you intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you will need a Type D (long-stay) visa or a residence permit.

Do you need a visa for Germany with a UK BRP card?

The UK’s Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) has now been replaced by a digital eVisa. However, holding a UK eVisa does not exempt you from visa requirements when travelling to Germany.

Your eVisa simply confirms your right to live and work in the UK — it doesn’t serve as a travel document for the Schengen Area.⁴ So if your nationality normally requires a visa to enter Schengen countries, you’ll still need to apply for a German Schengen visa from the UK before you travel.

You *don’t *need a visa for Germany if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country such as the U.S., Canada, Japan and Australia, or are a British citizen. You do need a visa if you’re a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen from a country that requires a visa to enter Germany, such as India, China or South Africa.⁵

It’s important to keep in mind that even UK citizens will need a visa to Germany if they intend to stay longer than 90 days for studying, working or an extended holiday.

What documents do you need for a Germany Schengen visa?

In order to apply for a German Schengen visa, you’ll need to put together a few important documents. These will show who you are, the purpose of your visit, and that you plan to return to the UK after your trip.⁶

• Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
• Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure, with at least two blank pages and an issue date within the last 10 years.
• A picture in compliance with ICAO standards
• Evidence of UK residency such as your eVisa
• Proof of accommodation such as hotel or holiday home bookings, or an invitation letter if you’re staying with friends or family.
• Evidence you will return home, such as round trip plane tickets
• Schengen-compliant travel insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation up to €30,000.
• Evidence of financial means to show you can support yourself during your stay. This could include payslips or a sponsorship letter if someone else is covering your costs.
• Depending on the purpose of your visit, you might need to provide extra documents such as an invitation letter from a German company if you’re travelling for business.

Applying for a Germany Schengen visa from the UK

Determine which type of visa you need

Before you get started, check whether you need a short-stay (Schengen C) visa for visits up to 90 days, or a national (D) long-stay visa if you plan to stay longer, for example for study, work, or visiting family.

Also be sure to double check whether you, as a UK resident, can already enjoy visa-free travel for short stays.⁷

If you require a visa for travel, here is a full breakdown of options, including the Schengen visa:

• Airport Transit Visa (Type A) – This visa allows you to transit through the international zone of an airport in the Schengen Area without actually entering the Schengen countries.
• Uniform Schengen Visa (USV, Type C) – A short-stay visa valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It may allow single or multiple entries and can be issued for one, two, three, or five years (C1, C2, C3, or C5). The visa is valid throughout the entire Schengen Area.
• Visa with Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) – Granted in specific cases, this visa is valid only for travel within one or a few designated Schengen countries and does not permit entry or transit through others.
• National Visa (NV, Type D) – A long-stay visa for visits exceeding 90 days. It allows one or multiple entries and may also permit travel within other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Complete an online visa application

For a Schengen visa to Germany, you’ll need to fill out your application via the VIDEX system, which is the German government’s platform for online visa applications.⁸

Make sure you have all of the relevant details at hand, such as your passport numbers, travel dates and itineraries. Be sure to save often, as the system could time out.

Book your visa appointment

After completing your online application, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at the relevant visa center, German embassy, or consulate.

Keep in mind that, if travelling with family or in a group, you’ll need to make individual visa appointments where necessary.

Attend your visa appointment

This step sounds simple enough, right? However, you’ll not only need to make sure that you yourself are physically present at the appointment, but also all required original documents plus copies.

These include your passport, biometric photos, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and proof of funds.

You will be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints and photo) if not already collected in the last 5 years via the VIS (Visa Information System), a database which allows Schengen countries to exchange information on short-term visa holders.

You might also get asked a few questions about the purpose and length of your trip.

Track your application

Once your application has been submitted, you’ll receive a file or tracking number. Some embassies and visa centres will let you check the status of your application online while they process it (typically 10 to 15 days for a Schengen visa).²

You might be contacted if additional documents are needed. Once everything has been reviewed - and your application has been approved - your passport will be returned with your new Schengen visa inside.

Tips to improve your Schengen visa application for Germany

After all the time you’ve invested in applying for a Schengen visa to Germany, you probably want to be sure that your trip can actually happen. A small oversight or missing document could mean that you land in the (small but significant) 15.5 percent of applications for a Germany Schengen visa that get rejected each year.⁹

Firstly, it’s important to apply as far in advance as possible. You can submit your application as early as six months before your date of travel, meaning that you’ll have extra time to double check that every document is up-to-date, includes correct information and is translated if needed.

You’ll also want to assemble as much information as possible, such as day-to-day details of where you intend to stay, return tickets and recent bank statements or payslips to show that you’re able to cover the costs of your trip.

While optional, a cover letter describing the purpose of your visit also gives your application a more polished and professional touch.¹⁰

Which agencies can assist with Schengen visas?

If you'd like extra support or are simply short on time, there are several agencies that can help with document review, booking an appointment, and even travel insurance. Here are some that offer help with a German Schengen visa application from the UK:

• TSLContact - Official German visa processing partner in the UK, with several locations
• VisaHQ - Offers full Schengen visa services for UK residents
• CIBTvisas UK - Offers business and tourist visa support, including help with documents.
• German Embassy London - While not a paid service, they offer a Federal Foreign Office Help Desk, which can answer your questions via phone or email.

Making a Germany Schengen visa appointment in the UK

Once you've completed the visa application on the VIDEX website, the next step is to book your appointment. In the UK, Germany uses TLScontact as its official visa service provider.¹¹

After submitting your form online, you'll be directed to the TLScontact portal to choose a location, date, and time for your appointment.

Centres are available across major cities including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, so you can choose the one most convenient for you.¹¹

During the appointment, you'll need to submit your documents, provide biometric data (a photo and fingerprints), and pay the visa fee if you haven't already.

Aim to book your appointment well in advance, especially during holiday periods or summer, when demand for Schengen visas spikes.

How to pay for your German Schengen visa

Currently anyone over 12 years of age will need to pay €90 to apply for a Schengen visa to Germany. For children aged six to 12, the cost is reduced to €45, while children under this age limit can apply free of charge.

However, certain applicants might be eligible for a reduced fee of €35 . They include spouses of EU citizens (granted they are travelling together), university students on a study trip, and children under 18 from certain countries.

Some applicants might qualify for a complete fee waiver. They include pupils or students taking a trip as part of their studies or researchers carrying out a research activity or participating in a conference.¹²

You can pay this fee online with a debit or credit card during the application process, or you can cover it during the appointment itself. However, keep in mind that they are usually paid in euros, so you might be dealing with poor exchange rates.

Save on application costs and avoid exchange rate mark-ups

Schengen visa fees are pretty straightforward, but if you're paying in euros from the UK, the hidden costs can add up fast. Some banks and credit card providers can tack on extra fees or offer poor exchange rates, meaning you can pay more than necessary. That's where money services provider, Wise, can help.

With a Wise account, you can access the mid-market exchange rate, and benefit from low, transparent fees*, helping you save money on currency conversion.

Whether you're paying your German Schengen visa fee from the UK, or booking a tour of the Bundestag in Berlin, Wise makes it easier to manage your money across borders. The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies with low, transparent fees* at the mid-market rate.

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Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - Travel to EU Schengen Area
2. German Mission in the UK - Short-Stay Schengen Visas
3. European Union - What is ETIAS?
4. GOV.UK - Biometric Residence Permit information
5. German Federal Foreign Office - Overview of Visa Requirements
6. European Commission - Applying for a Schengen Visa
7. Germany-Visa.org - Germany Visa Info
8. German Foreign Office - VIDEX Application
9. AXA - Which European Countries Grant the Most Schengen Visas?
10. Think Europe - Guide for a Successful Schengen Visa
11. TSLContact - Visa Application Centres
12. German-Visa.org - Visa Fees

Sources last checked on date: 24-Oct-2025