Applying for a German Schengen Visa in the UK - Germany Visa (2023)

Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Germany From the UK?

Any UK citizen who holds either a full UK passport or a BOTC, BOC, BPP or BS passport can travel to Germany visa-free. On the other hand, many non-EU nationals who reside in the UK are still required to get a Schengen visa to travel to Germany.

Moreover, Germany is quite demanding on the issue of document requirements for visa applications and tends to enforce strict guidelines for the application process.

In recent years, following visa liberalization policies for non-EU countries, the number of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to Europe has slightly dropped. Here is the list of nationalities that are still required to get a Schengen Visa to visit Germany and other Schengen states.

Below you can find more information on applying for a German visa from the UK.

Who Can Apply for a German Visa From the UK?

Citizens of these countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Germany are required to get a German visa in order to be able to enter Germany. The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least one month beyond the date they plan to leave Germany / the Schengen Area.

Use theGerman Schengen visa eligibility checkertool to find out if you qualify to apply for a German visa from the UK.

If you have a 3-month UK visa, you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a German Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK. Find out more about how to extend your UK visa.

You should apply for a visa at the appropriate German Embassy/Consulate or German visa application centre in the UK if:

• Germany is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
• Germany is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
• Germany is the first Schengen country you are visiting since you will be spending an equal amount of days in each Schengen country you plan to visit

If you plan on staying in Germany for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit, not a German Schengen visa.

Please note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom, you should apply at the German Embassy/Consulate or German visa application centre in your country of residence.

Germany Visa Application Requirements for UK Residents

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a German visa in the UK:

• A valid passport or travel document. Please make sure that:
  • Your passport has been issued (not extended) within the previous 10 years,
  • Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
  • Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
• A valid UK residence permit. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
• German visa application form. Filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the explanations carefully).
• One passport format photo that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows a full face. The photo must be less than three months old and be glued to the German Schengen visa application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
• A cover letter that explains the purpose of the visit to Germany
• Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations from the UK to Germany and back to the UK, or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Germany (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
• Germany Travel Medical Insurance. Stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Germany, but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30.000). UK residents can easily purchase the travel insurance policy online from Europ AssistanceorMondialCare. All these travel insurance companies are accepted by German Embassies and Consulates in the UK.
• Proof of accommodation in Germany:
  • Evidence of a hotel booking in Germany or rental agreement, or
  • Invitation from your German host (family member, friend) along with a copy of their passport or ID (Proof of sponsorship if dependant)
• Proof of financial subsistence:
  • A recent statement of UK bank account for the last three months, showing funds of at least 50 £ per person per day spent in German, or
  • Traveller’s cheques
• Important note: Starting from November 20, 2015 persons applying for a German short-term visa are required to provide fingerprints (biometric data) as an additional document.
  • Children younger than 12 years of age and applicants who are not physically capable of providing fingerprints are exempted from this procedure.

Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted, and documents should not be more than one month old.

The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit to Germany. Depending on your employment status, here is a list of additional documents that are required for your Germany visa application in the UK:

For UK employees:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Leave permission from the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

For the self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

For foreign students in the UK:

• Proof of enrolment
• No-objection certificate from school or university in the UK

For retirees:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:

• A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
• Spouse’s valid passport
• An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or German and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in the UK

Requirements for children under the age of 18

Underage children must be accompanied by parents or an adult guardian at the application centre at the German Embassy or Consulate-General in the UK. Also, minors who are granted a German visa are not allowed to travel to Germany by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Germany.

Required documents for Germany visa application for underage children

• Original birth certificate among others.
• Signed travel consent from both parents
  • If one parent is not located in the UK they should submit their signed consent to the German Embassy/Consulate of their residing country

Note: All documents must be either in German or English or officially translated by a certified translator.

To find more about the documentation needed for applying for a visa to Germanyclickhttps://www.schengenvisainfo.com/germany/visa/orhttps://www.germany-visa.org

How to Apply for a Germany Visa From the UK?

To apply for a visa to Germany you must book an appointment with the German Embassy in London or German Consulate General in Edinburgh.

This can be done in different ways:

• By booking an appointment directly at the German Embassy in London or German Consulate General in Edinburgh.
  • You can book an appointment every working day from 9 am to 10 am except on holidays.
• Through VFS Centres in London and Manchester.German visa applications for UK residents are to be submitted at the Germany Visa Application Centres in London and Manchester. All applications will be assessed by The Embassy of Germany, London.

Schengen Visa Types for Short-Term Visits in Germany

You need to apply for a German Schengen visa if you intend to travel from the UK to Germany for the following reasons:

• Business purposes.
• Visiting friends and family.
• Tourism and holidays.
• Cultural and sports events.
• Airport transit and transit for seafarers.
• Official visit.
• Medical reasons.
• Short-term study purposes.

Depending on your reasons for visiting Germany and the frequency of your visits, the German embassy/consulate in the UK can issue you asingle-entry visa,double-entry visa, or multiple-entry visa.

At which German Embassy/Consulate should I apply?

• If you are residing in England or Wales then you should apply at the German Embassy in London.
• If you are residing in Scotland or Northern Ireland then you should apply to the German Consulate General in Edinburgh.

Postal application – Only for applicants who fall under the jurisdiction of the German Consulate General in Edinburgh

(Source: German Missions in the UK)

To apply by regular post, you are required to include 55 £ in the application envelope along with all the required documents

You qualify for post-application only if the following conditions are fulfilled:

• You have provided biometric data at any other Schengen country Embassy/Consulate and
• You belong to at least one of the following categories of applicants:
  • You are the spouse of an EU national
  • You have been issued at least two Schengen Visas during the last 24 months
  • You have been issued a Schengen Visa with a validity of at least one year during the last 24 months
  • You have been issued a Schengen Visa from the German Consulate in Edinburgh during the last 12 months
  • You are a student from China

Note: You can also send your application to the Consulate General in Edinburgh in person on Monday or Wednesday at 11.30 am

Germany Visa Application Processing Time in the UK

You can apply for a German Schengen visa up to 180 days before your planned trip. Usually, the German visa application process takes a minimum of 5 working days. However, for nationals of the following countries the application time takes at least 14 working days (Source: VFSGlobal):

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Egypt
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan*
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Morocco
• Niger
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tajikistan*
• Tunisia
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Yemen

*Note: except for diplomatic and service passport

Considering the time German visa application processing takes, you are advised to apply 3 to 6 weeks in advance of your trip to Germany.

Germany Visa Fees for UK Residents

Since Germany is a Schengen state, visa fees are the same as any other Schengen visa. These are the costs of a German Schengen Visa when applying from the UK:

Note: Keep in mind that these fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid only in UK Pounds. Payments can be made in cash and by credit or debit card

Germany Visa fee exemptions

The following persons are exempted from visa fees:

• Children younger than 6 years of age
• Family members of an EU/EEA national
  • Documents required for exemption:
    • Original Marriage Certificate, or
    • Civil Partnership Certificate
    • Original full Birth Certificate
    • EU/EAA national’s passport.
• Persons travelling for the purpose of study or educational training and are accompanied by teaching staff such as:
  • School pupils.
  • Undergraduates and postgraduates.

Documents required for exemption: A letter from the school principal/dean that states that the trip is an obligatory part of the school/college programme.

Frequently asked questions on Applying for a Germany visa in the UK

What can I do if I cannot make it on the day of the appointment?

If you cannot make it on the scheduled day of the appointment, you must book another appointment as it is not possible to reschedule.

Do I have to come in person?

Yes, all applicants are required to show up in person at the German Embassy/Consulate in London/Edinburgh for a German visa application

Am I guaranteed to obtain a German visa from the UK?

No, you are not guaranteed to get a visa. To have a better chance of getting a positive answer, please make sure you provide all the required documents.

Tips:

• Reasons why Germanvisa applications getdenied
• Mistakes to avoid during a German visa interview
• Most asked questions during a German visa interview
• Find cheap flights to Germany and Europe
• Best attractions to see in Berlin
• Proof of financial funds for foreign students in Germany – mandatory for a student visa

What can I do if I’m not granted a visa?

If your visa is refused you can appeal against the decision free of charge. You must provide a refusal letter to justify your grounds of appeal. You should keep in mind that all fees are non-refundable and do not serve as a guarantee of your application’s success.

Can I get a visa the same day I apply?

Only in cases of an extreme medical emergency, you can obtain a visa on the same day of your application. However, the German Embassy/Consulate in the UK has the final say in this case.

Does a non-EU spouse/family member of a UK national need a visa to Germany?

The spouse of a UK national (EEA/EU national) is required to obtain a German visa. However, there is no need for a visa to enter Germany if the following conditions are met:

• The spouse holds a UK Residence Permit that states that the holder is a family member of an EU/EEA National
• Travelling with or joining the EEA/EU spouse in Germany.

Related visa information for the UK Residents:

• Schengen Visa for the UK Residents
• French Visa for the UK Residents
• Spanish Visa for the UK Residents
• Italian Visa for the UK Residents
• Dutch visa for UK residents
• Portuguese visa for UK residents
• Germany Entry Requirements for UK Citizens

Do British Citizens Need Travel Insurance for Germany?

Travel insurance for Germany is an essential part of your trip, but it is not required by law. In other words, even though you are highly encouragedtoget a travel insurance plan whenever travelling from the UK to Germany or other EU countries, you will be allowed to visit Germany even without it – at your own risk.

Embassy & Consulates of Germanyinthe United Kingdom

There are two German missions in the United Kingdom: The Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Edinburgh.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, London, England

Address:23 Belgrave Square, Belgravia, London SW1X 8PZ, UK
Phone:+44 20 7824 1300
Fax:+44 20 7824 1435
Email:[emailprotected]

Opening times:Monday – Friday only by appointment

Consular district:Avon, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Clwyd, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dyfed, Dorset, Essex, South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Gwent, Gwynedd, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Greater London, Merseyside, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Powys, Salop, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Edinburgh, Scotland

Address:16 Eglinton Cres, Edinburgh EH12 5DG, UK
Phone:+44 131 337 2323
Fax:+44 131346 1578
Email:[emailprotected]

Opening times:Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 11:30 am

Consular district:Scotland and the following counties in North England: Cumbria, Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Tyne and Wear (Tyneside), as well as North Yorkshire with the exception of Selby and York.

** Please note that these are the standard required documents. The German Visa Consular office maintains the right to ask for further documents or information if necessary.

*** Please consult the Germany Embassy or Consulate in the United Kingdom for the updated requirements!