Table of Contents

What is Schengen visa?

A Schengen Visa allows a person to travel temporarily to any of the 27 Schengen countries. With Schengen permit a person can stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, regarding different purposes e.g. Travelling, business trips, or family visits. If you’re applying from the UK, the easiest Schengen visa can help you enjoy smooth and quick access to Europe with hassle-free processing.

With easiest Schengen visa, you can travel freely among Schengen countries without internal border checks, just like traveling between states in a single country.

What is Schengen Countries?

The Schengen Area is a region in Europe where internal border checks have been eradicated. This means once you enter one Schengen country, you can travel easily over other associate countries without going throughout border controls, similar to traveling within the states in a single country.

Following are the 27 European Schengen countries that have eradicated inner boundary controls to grant free movement of people within the Schengen regions.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain , Sweden , Switzerland

Types of Schengen Visa:

Type A (Airport Transit Visa – ATV)

Type A visa also known as Airport Transit Visa(ATV) grant for those travellers whose requirements to change flights in a Schengen Airport and remain within the transit area, Generally an eu route to a non-Schengen landing area. It is compulsory for certain nationalities.

Type C (Short-Stay Visa)

Type C Visa is the most usual type, granting you to visit, for traveling ,for business purposes ,or for family visits inside the Schengen Areas for upto 90 days in under any 180 days period.

Single-Entry Visa

Allows only one arrival into the Schengen Area during the visa’s validity period.

Multiple-Entry Visa

Multiple Entry Visa allows for unbounded entries into the Schengen Area, as long as the total period of stay doesn’t overextend upto 90 days in any 180-day period and the visa itself remains valid. Long-term multiple-entry visas (1, 3, or 5 years) are granted to those candidate who has a history of lawful visa use.

Type D (National Visa)

Type D Visa needed for those who wants to stay more than 90 days, for business purposes, for study purposes or they wants to live in permanently in a specific Schengen Country. Type A and Type D visa can also permits travel within the entire Schengen Area.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa?

You will require a Schengen visa, although, If you’re not a national of the Schengen regions (and/or the EU), and/or if your home country has not put a visa abandon agreement with the EU. This includes citizens of any African nation, most of the Middle East, China, India, Russia, and nearly a hundred more.

Do UK citizens need a Schengen visa?

Since Brexit, British citizens are visa-free for short stays. That means if you are a resident of UK OR \ UK passport holder and want to travel for up to 90 days in 180 days, you do not need a Schengen visa. For further stays for work purpose or study, UK nationals would require the suitable national visa or grant.

If you live in the UK and hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), you must apply for a Schengen visa if your nationality requires one. Your UK citizenship does not release you from Schengen visa demands.

Who does not Needs Schengen Visa?

Nationals of visa-exempt countries (like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.) can travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa.

European Union (EU), European Economic Area( EEA) and Switzerland.
Residents of these countries can freely enter in Schengen countries.
United States (USA)
United Kingdom (UK)
Canada
Australia
Japan
South Korea
New Zealand
Brazil
Mexico
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
And many other Countries

Schengen Visa Requirements:

Appealing for a Schengen visa needs careful preparation. To make sure candidates to meet the valid, financial, and travel conditions before being allow entry, the embassies and consulates of Schengen countries have put some specific rules:

1. Visa Application Form

A fully fulfilled and properly written Schengen visa application form. Check every provided details and information matches to your passport and travel documents.

2. Valid Passport

The passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months over your planned departure from the Schengen area.
The passport must have been provided within the last 10 years.
More than two blank pages are needed for visa stamps on passport.

3. Recent Passport-Sized Photographs

Normally two similar photos are required with the size of (35mm × 45mm).
You must provide photos taken within the last 6 months.
Photos must be In White or light-colored background.

4. Travel Itinerary (Travel plan)

Flight reservation: Including round-trip ticket which shows the proven or valid entry and exit from the Schengen zone.
Proof of residence: Including hotel reservations, if you are staying with family/friends than invitation letter granted to them or rental agreement).

5. Travel Insurance

Compulsory for all Schengen visa candidates.
Minimal coverage of €30,000.
Must enclose medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation (return to home country).

6. Financial Resources

Applicants are forced to show the evidence of suitable financial means so that they can support themselves during their stay. Acceptable evidence includes:

Verified bank statements comprises the past 3–6 months.
Applicants have to show official sponsorship letter if someone else is covering your expenses.
Applicants have to show Proof of income, salary slips, or employment letter.
The required financial benchmark generally varies country by country between €40–€120 per day of stay.

7. Evidence of Employment or Studies

Depending on Applicants status:

Employees: Applicants have to show their salary slips, employment contract and leave approval application or letter.
Self-employed: self-employed Applicants have to show their business license, company bank statements or tax documents.
Students: student’s Applicants have to show their valid students ID Cards, registration forms and no objection letter from institute.

8. Cover Letter (Travel Purpose)

A personal letter explaining:

Describing the accurate objective of traveling (e.g. tourism, study, business or medical)
Mention total time of stay
Travel plan
Mention who will be the source of your expenses.

9. Visa Fee Payment

Usual fee €80 for adults, €40 for children (6–12 years), and free for children under 6. Some variations (students, researchers, diplomatic passport holders) may have lessen or complimentary fees.

10. Additional Documents (Depending on Visa Type)

Tourist Visa: complete travel plan, evidence of booked tours.
Business Visa: Official Invitation letter from a company showing the purpose of visa in Schengen country.
Student Visa: Acceptance letter from a university, evidence of tuition payment.
Medical Visa: Appointment confirmation from hospital and medical reports.
Visiting Family/Friends: Invitation letter issued by the host, copy of host’s passport/ID, proof of relationship.

How to Get Schengen Visa Appointment in UK?

Securing an Appointment at the embassy or visa application center is one of the first challenges in the visa process. In UK, appointments of Schengen Visa can pre-book fastly, mainly during peak travel seasons (e.g. the summer holidays). Therefore you have to plan your visa appointment as early as possible.

You can apply minimum 6 months before your trip as soon as possible (minimum 15 days before travel). Most countries manage their visa applications passing through like VFS Global or TLScontact in the UK.

You can examine the official website of the embassy of your destination country, they’ll guide you on how to book online appointment. In normal cases, after the submission of your application, the selection takes up to 15 calendar days. Although, it can take long time during busy periods or if additional documents are needed.

Highest Schengen visa rejection rates by country

While applying for a visa, you have information about the rejection rates by Schengen countries, it helps you to know which destinations are strict. Some of the Schengen countries have high rejection rates, Many time due to strict shelter or high demand.

According to 2024 data analysis, Malta has the highest rate of rejection rate, with about 38.5% of Schengen visa disapproved. The Mediterranean mini-state is popular but has limited processing power and tends to inspect applicants closely.

Estonia was the next rigid Schengen country by the rejection rate of 27.2% in 2024. Even though Estonia receives limited applications, its consulates known to be very accurate (specifically when applicants travels for the first time with low financial budget or travel plan).

Belgium was also included in difficult Schengen Countries. Belgium rejected about 24.6% visa requests, may be due to high volume of applications in Brussels ( a center for EU and NATO) and strict checking for complete paperwork.

Lowest Schengen visa rejection rates by country

Many of the Schengen countries accept the huge number of visa applications.
Here are the top 10 countries who had the lowest visa rejection rates based on the latest data.
Each of these countries had a well above the world average acceptance rate (14.8%), making them “effortless” options if you have a choice of where to apply.

1. Iceland (6.6%)

Iceland becomes the most frequent visa-favorable Schengen country. According to analysis In 2024, it received about 35,000 visa applications and rejected only 6.6% of them.

The country get probably benefits from Optimized procedures and the fact that many applicants are well-prepared tourists. If you are applying for an Icelandic Schengen visa with all your accurate documents in order, your acceptance chances are extremely high.

2. Bulgaria (9.4%)

Bulgaria has rapidly become one of the easiest Schengen places to get a Schengen visa. According to the data analysis of 2024, the rejection rates by Bulgaria were about 9.4%. In that year, Bulgaria handled about 122,000 applications and roughly rejected 12,000.

If you are planning to visit Bulgaria (or determine it as your main Schengen entry point), as long as you meet the requirements you are likely to get a positive response.

3. Romania (9.9%)

According to 2024 analysis, Romania also included in visa-friendly country as its rejection rate is only 9.9%.

Visa process of Romania is known to be very efficient and relatively fast, may be because they are anxious to facilitate their tourist and build trust as a new Schengen participant.

4. Slovakia (9.9%)

Slovakia is one of the visa-friendly Schengen country by the rejection rate of 9.9% in 2024. This Central European nation has a effortless visa process and isn’t overcome by demand.

Slovakia received only about 14000 applications, which may lead to high approval rate, when it had a low-volume year.

5. Portugal (10.8%)

Portugal is another approximately easy Schengen country for visas. According to the survey of 2024, Portugal’s rejection rate was about 10.8%. A considerable amount of visas was processed by Portugal but however maintained a more than average acceptance rate.

As compared to other countries, Portugal is famous as easily approached country; however you still have to provide all documentation required for visa process.

6. Latvia (10.9%)

In 2024, Latvia’s rejection rate was about 10.9%. This Baltic documented state had extremely low refusal rates (near 1% in 2019), despite the fact they have slightly increased post-pandemic, and Latvia continues to be among the easiest.

With less than 20k applications a year, the Latvian consulates can give applications extensive focus, and they don’t reject many.

7. Italy (10.9%)

For all that it is one of the most popular destinations (Italy processed over 1.2 million visa applications in 2024), it has a high acceptance rate in approvals – only about 10.9% were rejected.

All over the Schengen average, Italy offer more visas than any other Schengen country and still had a high acceptance rate. It seems like Italian’s authorities has the purpose to priorities tourism and makes the process smooth’s and hassle-free as much as possible.

8. Switzerland (11.3%)

Switzerland may give rise to images of strict reliability, but its visa approval rate is fairly high. Only about 11.3% applications were rejected in 2024, Switzerland indicates to an efficient system as it received a large amount of requests (636k+ applications), but still maintained a low rejection percentage.

Switzerland embassies do need a detailed documentation, but once you fulfill the criteria, your chances are very good.

9. Hungary (12.8%)

In 2024, Hungary rejected only 12.8% and deal with 250k visa requests. Hungary is quite moderate country in terms of strictness but still better than the average. May be the non-frequent Hungarian applications are the common reasons for Schengen refusals, possibly representing clear guidance and a smoother process.

10. Norway (12.8%)

In 2024, Norway also had rejected 12.8% visa applications. Known as a Schengen member for high living standards, Norway’s visa process is arranged and applicant-friendly.

It received about 150k applications and rejected about 19k.

Key considerations while applying for a Schengen visa from the UK

You cannot get a visa approved by just picking the easiest country, you also need a submitting of strong application. Here is some key consideration for UK-based applicants.

Submit your application to the appropriate country – You have to apply to the main country where you want to spend most of the days or apply to the country of first entry if you have equal time for each place.
Book your Appointment early – Book your appointment 1-3 months in advance of travel (or even up to 6 months ahead).
Collect all your Required Documents – Incomplete documentation is the main reason of visa rejection. Please always double check all your documents and papers on the website of embassy and visa center.
Evidence of financial resources and connections to the UK – Visa officers want complete prove and evidence that you will not overstay. You have to provide all the solid evidences about your origin in the UK and you have to prove that you are able to fund the trip.
Accuracy and consistency – You have to make sure that all your documents are accurately filled and compatible. Any inconsistency can cause trouble.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

Several steps are involved to apply a Schengen Visa. Here are the steps for the process of Schengen visa Application.

Find out where to Apply – First you have to pick out the country in Schengen areas. Also need to find out the embassy of relevant country and consulate ( or the visa center) in the UK is where you need to apply.
Book an appointment – The next step of the process is to visit the official website of visa application or the VFS/TLS site of the relevant country and plan an appointment.
Submit the Application form – The next step is to completely fill the Schengen Visa Application form of the relevant country (some have online forms). Fill it and sign it if required.
Collect required documents – Collect all your required documents: valid passport, UK residence permit, passport photos, travel insurance certificate, flight reservation, hotel bookings or invitation letters, bank statements or employment/ student letter.
Payment of Visa Fee – Usually payment process is done on the day of appointment at the visa center (may be card or cash).
Attend the Appointment – The last of Visa application is to make sure your arrival at the visa center of consulate on the time with all your necessary documents. Submit your visa application, provide your biometric and photos and answer any short and quick questions. At the last you will receive the receipt or tracking number.

How long does a Schengen visa application take?

On the subject of processing time, Schengen visa application usually takes 15 days or less to be marked. Although this does not include the time of visa appointment and collect documents.

In the UK you may be have to wait about 2-4 weeks for the appointment during busy schedule or 1-2 weeks for processing. In some cases, processing time may be longer but according to law, it should not exceed 45days.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

If you are applying for the short-stay temporary visa then the fee for adults €90 (approx. £78 as of 2025). For children in between 6 to 11, you have to pay €45, while visas are free of cost for children under the age of 6.

Certain applicants also benefit from reduced fees – for instance, the family of EU citizens should not be charged.

Remember, this is just the consular fee. If the country uses a visa application center, there will be an additional service fee (often about £30-£40). So, total costs per person might be around £100 or more, including service charges.

Payment is usually made in local currency – in the UK, that means you’ll pay in GBP, converted from the Euro fee using a set exchange rate or bank rate.

Use Easiest Schengen Visa to get your Schengen Visa Appointment

Easiest Schengen Visa helps UK Residents who are BRP holders (Biometric Residence permit) apply for a Schengen Visa. We can guide you through the application to book your appointment and make the whole process simple and hassle-free. Our specialist arranges step-by-step guidance, making sure your application is fulfilled, accurate, and ready for submission.

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