If you're travelling to Europe to visit, study or work you may
need to apply for a visa or permit first.
From:
Department for Business,
Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published:
30 April 2021
Contents
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90 days as a group
-
Business and work
trips
The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows visitors to
stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
The Schengen area includes:
- most EU countries (not Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Romania or Ireland)
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
British citizens are
covered by a Schengen visa waiver. This means you do not need to
apply for a Schengen visa to visit these countries for up to 90
days in a 180-day period for:
- tourist travel
- some business activities, such as attending meetings
If you’re not a British citizen check if you need a
Schengen visa.
Find out how to apply
if you need one.
You may need a visa and, or permit if:
- you’re staying for longer than 90 days
- studying
- travelling for business
- working (carrying out work-related activities not covered by
the visa waiver)
90 days as a group
The Schengen area countries (and Romania) apply the 90-day waiver
rule as a group. This means if you travel from one of these
countries to another, or visit more than one within a 180
day-period, it all counts towards the 90-day limit.
You should check the rules for each country and keep track of
your stays to make sure you don’t stay too long.
Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus apply the 90-day rule, but not as a
group.
You do not need a visa or permit as a tourist or
to live, work or study in Ireland.
Business and work trips
Each country sets its own rules about what business and
work-related activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver
(visa exempt).
You’re only allowed to work in the Schengen area if one of the
following applies:
- your line of work is visa exempt – this varies by country
- you have the required visa, permit or permits
Anything that the country’s authorities class as ‘work’ may
require a visa and, or permit.
Each country has its own definitions of work and different rules
that you must follow. For example, in one country opening and
responding to emails could be classed as work. In another it may
not be.
You must always check with the authorities of the country you
want to visit before you travel so you meet their legal
requirements.
The country’s embassy or consulate
will have the most up-to-date information and can also advise
you. If you need a visa or permit they can tell you how to apply.
Check general foreign travel
advice for updates on issues, such as safety and security,
entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or
planning to travel.
