Schengen visa application and travelling to EU in light of Brexit
Update: As of 1st January 2021, travel from the UK as a British Citizen to an EU destination following Brexit will not require a visa if you are travelling for a period of up to 90 days within any 180 day period. However, you will need a visa or work permit if you wish to work within this period or your stay exceeds 3 months. Most non-EU/EEA citizens are required to apply for a Schengen visa should they wish to travel to, work or study in an EU member state – see below for application requirements.
Where the UK currently stands:
You can make a Schengen visa application for the purposes of leisure, tourism or business. Your permit will allow you to pass through any Schengen Member States on a short term basis.
Additionally, as a EU citizen you have the right to travel to another EU member state for a period of 3 months without being subjected to any conditions apart from carrying an identification card or passport. You will be able to reside within the host state for longer providing you can prove that you are self-employed, considered as
- A worker offering a services
- Have sufficient finical resources to support yourself
- If you are enrolled in an establishment and finally if you are receiving sickness insurance.
If the UK leaves with a deal, travelling to the EU from outside the EU will remain the same until the 31st December 2020. Thus, you will not need to apply for a visa to travel or work in the EU during this time. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the rules for travelling or working in Europe will change after 29th March 2019.
The European Commission has proposed that if a deal has not been made, you would not need a visa on a short term basis in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU; however, this is still to be confirmed.
However, currently you can only stay within the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180 day period. If you have visited in the Schengen area previously within the 180 day period then this will be counted towards the 90 days. If you wish to work within this period, then you will need a separate work permit.
Schengen visa application requirements:
- You must be able to prove that you are able to financially support yourself whilst travelling
- You need to be able to show a valid passport
- You must be able to show a copy of your flight dates and numbers
- You will need to take out appropriate travel insurance
Who are the participating countries of the Schengen agreement?
There are 26 European States participating in the agreement:
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany
Greece Hungry Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg
Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden
Switzerland
How we can help you make a Schengen visa application
Our specialist team will guide you through the process and will actively advise you about your case in a cost-effective way. We believe in putting our clients first and will closely work with you on a fixed-fee basis.
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