Germany Schengen visa from the UK: application and checklist
A non-EU national resident in the UK may need a German short-stay Schengen visa. A British residence permit does not by itself remove a nationality-based visa requirement. Germany should receive the application only when it is responsible for the trip.
General eligibility points
Use these as research prompts. Meeting them does not guarantee a successful application.
- Germany is the sole destination, main purpose or country of the longest stay.
- The applicant is resident in the UK and uses the application route for UK residents.
- The visit is limited to the permitted Schengen short-stay period.
- The applicant can evidence the visit purpose, resources, accommodation and return.
Document checklist
The exact evidence depends on the route and circumstances.
- Completed VIDEX application form, printed with barcodes and signed.
- Passport issued within the previous 10 years with the required validity and blank pages.
- UK immigration-status evidence or share-code printout where applicable.
- Travel medical insurance, accommodation and transport evidence.
- Purpose-specific financial, employment, study, invitation or business documents.
Use the correct destination and application office
Follow the official European Commission information and the destination office responsible for the applicant’s place of legal residence.
Complete application route
Start with the destination government website, then use only the appointment provider named by that authority.
1. Check the visa and jurisdiction
Use the German Embassy guidance to confirm the short-stay category and whether London/Manchester or Edinburgh serves the applicant’s UK address.
Open German visa information ↗2. Complete VIDEX and prepare the file
Complete the VIDEX online application, print the form including barcodes, sign it and assemble the exact purpose-specific C-visa documents.
Open the German C-visa document guide ↗3. Book through TLScontact
All German short-stay C-visa applications in the UK currently go through TLScontact. Use the Embassy’s official ‘where can I apply’ page to enter the correct TLScontact portal for the applicant’s jurisdiction.
Open Germany’s official appointment route ↗4. Attend the correct centre
Attend London or Manchester for the London mission’s area, or Edinburgh for the Edinburgh mission’s area, with the complete form, passport and documents. Biometrics are taken where required.
Check German centre jurisdictions ↗5. Await the consular decision
TLScontact forwards the file, but the German mission decides it. Allow for processing and passport-return time and respond if the mission requests more information.
Read Germany’s processing information ↗Four preparation steps
Use the German visa navigator
Complete the VIDEX form
Prepare the purpose-specific checklist
Book and attend the official application centre
Check the current European Commission rules
Government requirements can change. Use these official pages as the authoritative source.
Germany visa from the UK FAQs
Do British citizens need a short-stay visa for Germany?+
British citizens generally do not need a visa for non-economic short visits within the 90-days-in-180 limit, but border and activity conditions still apply.
Can a non-British UK resident need a visa?+
Yes. A UK residence permit does not itself remove a Schengen visa requirement based on nationality.
How early can an application be made?+
Schengen applications can generally be lodged up to 6 months before travel and should normally be lodged at least 15 days before the trip.