Cheapest Schengen Countries to Apply From the UK

Is There a Cheapest Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

In terms of the standard government visa fee, there is generally no cheapest Schengen country. The standard adult short-stay Schengen visa fee is €90 regardless of which Schengen country is responsible for processing the application.

However, the total cost of applying can vary because applicants may also have to pay an external service-provider fee, travel expenses to the application centre, document costs, photographs, travel insurance and other application-related expenses.

Therefore, when comparing Schengen visa costs from the UK, it is more useful to consider the total application and travel cost rather than looking only at the government visa fee.

Why Do Some Schengen Visa Applications Cost More Than Others?

Although the standard visa fee is the same, your overall application cost can vary depending on how and where you submit your application.

Possible additional expenses include:

• Visa application centre service fees
• Travel to the visa application centre
• Passport photographs
• Document printing and photocopying
• Translation costs where applicable
• Travel insurance
• Courier or passport-return services
• Optional premium application services

EU rules allow an external service provider to charge a service fee when it is used to collect applications. The service fee is subject to limits under the Schengen Visa Code.

Can I Choose Any Schengen Country to Get a Cheaper Visa?

No. You should not choose a Schengen country solely because you believe it has lower costs or a better chance of issuing a visa.

The general rule is that you apply to the consulate of the country that is your main destination. If your trip includes several Schengen countries and you spend an equal amount of time in each, you generally apply to the country you will enter first.

For example, if you are planning a 10-day trip with six days in France and four days in Italy, France would normally be your main destination. Your application should therefore be submitted through the appropriate French authority rather than choosing Italy simply because you prefer its application centre.

What Does “Main Destination” Mean?

Your main destination is generally the Schengen country where you will spend the greatest amount of time during your trip.

For example:

• France – 7 days
• Italy – 3 days

France would normally be the main destination for the trip.

If you spend equal amounts of time in multiple Schengen countries, the country of first entry generally determines where you should submit the application.

Schengen Countries You Can Visit With One Schengen Visa

A valid Schengen short-stay visa can generally allow travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the conditions and validity of the visa issued.

The Schengen Area includes countries such as:

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

The Schengen Area currently consists of 29 countries, including EU members and the Schengen-associated countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Is France a Cheap Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

France does not have a lower standard Schengen visa fee than other Schengen countries. The standard adult visa fee is set at EU level.

However, the total amount you spend on your application may depend on the application centre, optional services and your own travel and document expenses.

If France is genuinely your main destination, you should apply through the appropriate French visa application process from the UK.

Is Spain a Cheap Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

Spain also uses the standard Schengen visa fee structure. Therefore, applicants should not expect a lower basic government visa fee simply because they are applying for Spain.

If Spain is your main destination, applying through the Spanish visa process is appropriate. Choosing Spain solely because you believe it is cheaper would not be consistent with the Schengen application rules.

Is Italy a Cheap Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

Italy follows the common Schengen visa fee structure for short-stay visas. The standard adult fee is €90, subject to applicable exemptions or reductions.

If Italy is the country where you will spend most of your trip, it would normally be the appropriate country through which to submit your Schengen visa application.

Is Greece a Cheap Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

Greece also follows the common Schengen visa fee system. While the government visa fee is not lower simply because you apply for Greece, your overall holiday budget may be influenced by factors such as flights, hotels, food and local transportation.

For this reason, travellers interested in a budget-friendly European holiday should consider the total cost of the trip, not just the visa application fee.

Is Portugal a Cheap Schengen Country to Apply From the UK?

Portugal follows the standard Schengen visa fee structure for short-stay applications. If Portugal is your genuine main destination, it can be the correct country through which to submit your application.

Applicants should check the relevant Portuguese application procedure and any current service charges before submitting their documents.

How to Reduce the Cost of a Schengen Visa Application From the UK

Although you cannot normally reduce the standard government visa fee by choosing a different Schengen country, there are practical ways to manage your overall application expenses.

1. Avoid Unnecessary Premium Services

Visa centres may offer optional premium services. These services can increase the total cost of your application and are generally not the same as the mandatory visa fee.

Before paying for an optional service, check whether you actually need it.

2. Prepare Your Documents Yourself

If you are comfortable preparing your own paperwork, you may be able to reduce costs associated with unnecessary third-party document services.

Make sure that every document meets the requirements of the relevant consulate or visa centre.

3. Compare Travel Costs to the Application Centre

The cheapest visa application is not necessarily the one with the lowest service fee. If an application centre requires expensive travel from your location, the overall cost can become higher.

Consider transport, accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary and other travel expenses.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Courier Services

Some application centres offer optional passport-return or courier services. Check the available standard collection or return options before purchasing additional services.

5. Buy Suitable Travel Insurance

Schengen visa applicants generally need appropriate travel medical insurance meeting the applicable requirements. Compare suitable policies rather than automatically selecting the most expensive option.

Can I Apply for a Schengen Visa From the UK?

If you are legally resident in the UK and need a Schengen visa based on your nationality, you can generally apply through the relevant Schengen country’s application process in the UK.

Your application should be submitted to the country responsible for your trip based on the Schengen rules. The required supporting documents can include evidence of the purpose of your trip, accommodation, financial means and your intention to return after your visit.

What Documents Are Usually Required for a Schengen Visa?

Exact requirements vary depending on your circumstances and the country processing your application, but applicants may commonly need:

• Valid passport
• Completed Schengen visa application form
• Recent passport photographs
• Proof of legal residence in the UK, where applicable
• Travel itinerary
• Accommodation evidence
• Travel medical insurance
• Bank statements or other financial evidence
• Employment or business evidence
• Evidence supporting the purpose of travel
• Previous travel information where required

The European Commission states that supporting documentation can include evidence concerning the purpose of the stay, financial means, accommodation and intention to return. Consulates may request additional documents depending on the circumstances.

How Long Does a Schengen Visa Take?

The normal processing period for a Schengen visa application is generally 15 days. In individual cases, processing can be extended to up to 45 days when a more detailed examination or additional documents are required.

Applicants should apply sufficiently early and check the specific instructions of the relevant consulate or visa application centre.

Important: Do Not Choose a Country Based on Visa Shopping

Searching for the “cheapest” or “easiest” Schengen country can lead to confusion because applicants are expected to follow the jurisdiction rules.

You should provide a genuine itinerary and apply through the appropriate country. Applying through a country that is not your actual main destination simply because you believe it may be cheaper or easier can create problems with your application.

Your travel itinerary, accommodation bookings and other supporting documents should accurately reflect your intended trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest Schengen country to apply from the UK?

There is no Schengen country with a generally lower standard adult visa fee. The standard short-stay Schengen visa for adults. The total application cost can differ because of external service fees and other expenses.

Can I choose France because its visa is cheaper?

You should not choose a Schengen country based solely on price. Your application should normally be submitted to the country that is your main destination.

Is the Schengen visa fee the same for every country?

The standard short-stay Schengen visa fee is generally €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12. Additional service fees may apply when an external service provider is used.

Can I apply to Italy if I am mainly visiting France?

Generally, you should apply through the country that is your main destination. If you spend equal amounts of time in multiple countries, the country of first entry is generally relevant to determining where you apply.

How can I make my Schengen visa application cheaper?

You can control additional costs by avoiding unnecessary premium services, preparing eligible documents yourself, comparing suitable travel insurance and considering the cost of travelling to the application centre.

Can UK citizens apply for a Schengen visa?

British citizens can generally make short visits to the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism and certain other permitted purposes, subject to the applicable rules. Non-British nationals living in the UK may need a Schengen visa depending on their nationality and travel circumstances.

Final Thoughts

The phrase “cheapest Schengen countries to apply from the UK” can be misleading because the standard Schengen visa fee is generally the same across the Schengen Area. The main differences in total cost usually come from external service fees, travel to the application centre and other application-related expenses.

More importantly, travellers should not choose a Schengen country simply because they believe it is cheaper or easier. The correct application country is normally determined by your main destination, with specific rules applying when several countries are included in the itinerary.

If you are planning a European holiday from the UK, prepare a genuine itinerary, identify your main destination and check the latest requirements of the relevant consulate or official visa application centre before applying.