Visa

If you reside in Scotland or certain parts of northern England you may have to apply at our Consulate-General in Edinburgh.

If you are not sure whether to apply in London or Edinburgh, please check the Consular district map [pdf, 1,346.08k]

To apply in Edinburgh please visit their website: edinburgh.diplo.de

The German Embassy in London has outsourced its visa services to the external service provider VFS. For more information please click here

Please note that all visa applicants have to make an appointment early in advance. Visa applicants are required to apply in person and bring the application form as well as relevant documents after making an appointment.

Important: Only passports that have been issued (not extended!) during the past ten years can be endorsed with a visa. If your passport was issued longer than 10 years ago, please apply for a new passport at your Embassy.

Schengen Area

Information about Schengen visas

The common 'Schengen visa' is a visa for short stays (tourism, visit or business) for Germany and other 25 European countries within the Schengen area.

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Suitcase

Not sure whether you need a visa?

Please read the following information to find out whether or not you need a visa to travel to Germany. 

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Terminvergabe

Appointment Booking

All visa applicants are required to make an appointment. Due to a high demand please consider a waiting period for up to 3 months. Do NOT book a flight before booking an appointment.

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Schengen Visa

Application

Visa applicants must apply in person after making an appointment. You will need to bring your application form, passport and other documents that are required according to this website.

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Signing a document, (c) colourbox.com

Which documents do I need?

Please always bring the original plus one copy of all documents mentioned in this section. Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

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Euro

Visa fees

All types of visa: €60.00 payable in British £ only.

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Industrial workplace

Working in Germany

If you wish to do paid or self-employed work in Germany, this section provides information on work permits and visa requirements for EU and Non-EU nationals.

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International exchange students take part in a lecture at the Leipzig Graduate School of Management

Study and Scientific Research

Pupils, students and scientific researchers will find useful information on visa requirements, relevant documents and the visa application process. 

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Visa

Schengen Visa

Quick link visa application

Schengen visa application service

Contact visa section

For general enquiries regarding Schengen visas and appointments please contact VFS.

Tel: 0871 376 2101 (Monday-Friday 08:30-17:30)

Email: vfshelpline%27%com,info%27%schengen

Internet: www.vfsglobal.com/germany/uk

For enquiries regarding residence permits you can contact the visa section on tel: 0207 824 1465 (Monday - Thursday 13.30 - 15.30). Please note that we will not be able to give applicants information on the status of their application or if it will be successful.

Email enquiries

For any visa information that is not available on the website please contact the Visa Section:

click here

Emergency visa service

In cases of extreme urgency ONLY, please send your emergency request by fax to 020 7824 1448. Please mention your telephone number clearly on your fax, so that we can phone you back. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Please understand that requests that do not mention a contact telephone number will not be processed.

Notes for visitors

1. The Embassy operates a baggage search scheme, to avoid delays you are asked to refrain from bringing any baggage, briefcases, laptops etc. with you.
2. Mobile phones and any other electronic equipment must be switched off before entry and remain so during your stay.
3. Photography on the premises is strictly forbidden.
4. Entry is at the discretion of the Embassy security staff. Please look after your personal belongings as the Embassy cannot accept liability for loss or theft.