Since the UK left the European Union (EU) in January 2020, many people have been confused about the impact of this on their ability to travel to European countries. Let’s discuss a couple of scenarios.
If you are an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) citizen residing in the UK and you have, for example, pre-settled or settled status, you do not require a visa to travel to EU countries.
If you are a British citizen, as of today, you do not need a visa to travel to EU countries, regardless of whether they are part of Schengen. For example, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area. You may still need a visa if you are travelling to any EU or Schengen Area country for over 90 days in a 180 day period, or the purpose of your travel includes work. It is important to check any travel restrictions and immigration rules prior to embarking on your journey.
If you are not British and you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA, and you reside in the UK (for example, you have a skilled worker or student visa), you will need to apply for a Schengen visa in order to travel to the EU countries. This will allow stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
How to get a Schengen Visa :
To obtain a Schengen visa, you will need to submit your application at the embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit first (this can usually be done online), or the country where you will be staying the longest. The application process requires documentation such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and travel insurance. The visa application fee must also be paid at the time of application. Once the Schengen visa is granted, you will be allowed to travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a six-month period. However, it’s important to note that a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into any of the Schengen countries. Border control officers at the port of entry have the final say on whether to grant entry to a visitor or not.
We encourage you to check our blog regularly to keep up to date with the latest developments. Get in touch if with us if you want to discuss making an application for yourself or a family member.