A passport Germany can accept
The travel document should meet the Schengen age and validity rules and have the blank pages required for the visa process.
Germany Visa from UK
A current guide for UK residents who need a German Schengen visa — including the TLScontact appointment queue, VIDEX form, UK residence evidence, documents, fees and decision timeline.
Independent support, not an official visa application. Or use the quick form on this page.
- Germany short-stay visa guidance
- TLScontact · London · Manchester · Edinburgh
- Reviewed September 2026
GermanyShort-stay Schengen visa · UK residents
- 6 mo
Earliest application pointA German short-stay application can normally be lodged up to six months before travel.
- 3
UK TLScontact centresGermany currently uses London, Manchester and Edinburgh for Schengen submissions.
- 15
Working days, approx.The German Missions publish around 15 working days after the application reaches the Mission.
Who needs a visa to Germany?
Start with nationality, then check your UK residence and the purpose of the trip. A UK eVisa proves your status in Britain; it does not automatically give visa-free access to Germany.
- 1
British citizens on permitted short stays
A full British citizen passport normally allows visits to Germany for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism and other permitted short activities.
- 2
Visa-required nationals resident in Britain
If your passport nationality requires a Schengen visa, you will normally need a German C visa before travel even if you hold a UK eVisa, BRP or other residence permission.
- 3
Germany must be responsible for the application
Use Germany when it is the sole destination, the main purpose of the trip or the country where you will spend the longest part of a multi-country stay.
For other destinations on your itinerary, see these country guides:
Germany Schengen visa requirementsbefore submission
Six checks that keep the application route, documents and travel story aligned.
Proof you can apply in Britain
The German Missions generally accept applications from UK residents and refer to valid residence evidence, including a share code or UKVI account where applicable.
Germany is the correct Schengen state
Your itinerary should make Germany responsible under the main-destination rules rather than using Germany simply because an appointment appears available.
Your VIDEX details match the file
The printed VIDEX form, passport details, trip dates, accommodation and supporting evidence should tell the same story.
You can fund the visit
Use the purpose-specific German checklist to show sufficient means and evidence that fits your employment, study, sponsorship or personal situation.
Travel medical insurance qualifies
For a standard short stay, Schengen travel medical insurance normally needs at least €30,000 of cover, including repatriation.
Documents for a German tourist visa
Germany uses purpose-specific checklists and the VIDEX form. Prepare the core evidence first, then compare the file against the current official checklist for your category.
- Printed and signed VIDEX application form
- Passport and required copies
- Recent biometric passport photograph
- UK residence evidence or valid share code
- Travel medical insurance
- Accommodation and itinerary evidence
- Return or onward travel evidence
- Financial supporting documents
- Employment, study or self-employment evidence
- Invitation, sponsorship or purpose-specific evidence
Germany can ask for additional information after submission. Do not treat a generic Schengen checklist as a substitute for the live German purpose-specific document list.
The Germany appointment system changed in 2026
TLScontact receives German short-stay applications in the UK. For several C-visa categories in London and Manchester, applicants now join a waiting list and an appointment is allocated when capacity becomes available.
- 1Choose the correct jurisdiction
London and Manchester serve the London mission area; Edinburgh serves applicants resident in Scotland.
- 2Register with TLScontact
For affected short-stay categories, your registration enters the appointment queue rather than letting you simply pick any open date.
- 3Watch for the allocation message
When TLScontact assigns an appointment, follow the payment deadline shown in your account or email immediately. Current official pages contain both 12-hour and 24-hour wording.
- 4Bring the VIDEX file and biometrics
Attend with the printed form and supporting documents. TLScontact collects the application; the German diplomatic mission makes the decision.
Want the Germany file checked?
Share the trip basics and we can help organise the application before your official TLScontact submission.
What you get from this enquiry
- We confirm which Schengen country you should apply to for your trip.
- We check your document list against the official requirements for your profile.
- We help you organise the application before your official appointment.
No payment is taken with this enquiry. If you want our help, we confirm the fee with you before any work starts.
How long does the decision take?
Germany separates appointment waiting from consular processing. The legal processing clock starts only after the application has actually been filed.
Before submissionQueue and appointment time
Demand can create a separate wait before you reach TLScontact, especially for categories using the London and Manchester waiting lists.
15working days, approx.
The German Missions in the UK currently publish about 15 working days from receipt of a complete Schengen application.
After the decisionAllow 2–3 more working days
Germany also advises allowing extra time for the passport to be returned. Additional checks or missing documents can extend the overall journey.
Do not count the appointment queue as part of the published processing estimate, and do not rely on private claims that a consular decision can be accelerated.
What Germany charges
The Schengen visa fee and TLScontact service fee are separate. Germany fixes the visa fee in euros, while the GBP amount can move with the consular exchange rate.
AdultsStandard short-stay Schengen visa fee
€90Children aged 6 to under 12Standard reduced short-stay fee
€45Children under 6Visa fee is generally waived
FreeTLScontact short-stay service feeCurrent UK listing at review date; verify before payment
£27.76TLScontact currently lists the short-stay service fee as €32 / £27.76. The GBP visa fee and service fee can change, and reduced or waived visa fees apply to some categories.
Where to submit your application
TLScontact currently operates German visa application centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Your UK residence determines the correct jurisdiction rather than whichever centre looks most convenient.
Edinburgh serves applicants resident in Scotland. London and Manchester serve the London mission jurisdiction, which covers England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the other areas listed by the German Missions.
UK → GermanyYour journey
London → BerlinIllustrative route · not a travel itinerary
Five mistakes that create avoidable delays
Germany's 2026 appointment process makes accuracy at registration just as important as the documents you bring later.
- 01Treating a UK eVisa as permission to enter Schengen
Your UK status proves residence in Britain. Visa-free travel still depends on your passport nationality and the purpose of the German trip.
- 02Applying to Germany for someone else's itinerary
If another Schengen state is really the main destination, using Germany simply because you find a route there can create a jurisdiction problem.
- 03Joining the wrong TLScontact category
Germany warns that incorrect appointment categories can lead to the applicant being turned away, so match the queue to the actual travel purpose.
- 04Ignoring the appointment-allocation deadline
Once a queued appointment is offered, the payment window is short. Follow the exact deadline shown in your live TLScontact message.
- 05Planning around a generic 15-day promise
Germany publishes an approximate 15-working-day processing estimate, then advises allowing additional time for passport return and any further checks.
Germany visa FAQs
Answers to common questions about TLScontact, the appointment queue, VIDEX, UK residence evidence, fees and processing.
Do UK residents need a visa for Germany?
UK residence by itself does not decide whether a visa is required. British citizens can normally visit Germany visa-free for permitted short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A UK resident whose passport nationality is subject to the Schengen visa requirement will normally need a short-stay visa before travel.
Where do I apply for a Germany visa in the UK?
Germany uses TLScontact for short-stay Schengen applications in the UK. TLScontact currently operates centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. London and Manchester serve applicants in the London mission jurisdiction, while Edinburgh serves applicants resident in Scotland.
How does the Germany visa appointment queue work?
For several short-stay categories in London and Manchester, Germany introduced a waiting-list system from 1 June 2026. Applicants register through TLScontact and an appointment is allocated when available. Follow the confirmation deadline shown in your TLScontact account or allocation email because the official pages currently contain different 12-hour and 24-hour wording.
Can I apply for a Germany visa with a UK eVisa or share code?
The German Missions in the UK accept applications from UK residents and specifically refer to valid UK residence evidence, including a valid share code or UKVI account where applicable. Your UK immigration status proves residence in Britain; it does not replace a Schengen visa if your nationality requires one.
What is VIDEX for a Germany visa?
VIDEX is the German online visa application system. For a short-stay C visa, the application form is completed online, printed with its barcode pages and signed before submission with the supporting documents.
How long does a Germany Schengen visa take?
The German Missions in the UK currently publish an approximate processing time of 15 working days from receipt by the Embassy or Consulate General, plus around 2 to 3 working days for passport return. More detailed checks or missing documents can make the overall process longer.
How early can I apply for a Germany visa?
A short-stay application can normally be lodged up to six months before the planned trip. Appointment waiting is separate from consular processing, so Germany advises applicants to arrange submission as early as possible.
How much is a Germany Schengen visa in the UK?
The standard short-stay fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12, with exemptions for some applicants. TLScontact currently lists a separate mandatory UK short-stay service fee of €32, shown as £27.76 at the time this page was reviewed. GBP amounts can change with exchange rates.
EXPLORE · Germany
Germany, beyond the application.
A visual break from the paperwork — cities, rivers, forests and mountain landscapes behind the itinerary.
Prepare the Germany visa file before the appointment
Start with nationality, UK residence, the correct TLScontact jurisdiction and a consistent VIDEX application. We can help organise the next steps.
Official sources and checks
Last reviewed . Check current instructions before booking or paying.
Reviewed by Abraham and Tina Zad, 8 years of visa support experience.
How we research, review and correct our guides · Corrections log
UK to Schengen is an independent support service. We are not part of the German government, the German Embassy in London, the German Consulate General in Edinburgh or TLScontact. We do not issue visas, sell official appointments or influence visa decisions. Always confirm current requirements, fees, appointment instructions and document checklists through the official German Missions and TLScontact channels before submitting or paying.
