Travelling to Europe
If you plan to travel to Europe, there are two different visas you may need.
ETIAS
British citizens, among 60 other nationals, will require an ETIAS when travelling to Europe. More information is available here.
Schengen visa
If you are from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) national and want to travel to Europe, you may be required to apply for a Schengen visa before you travel, unless you are a visa-free national. Nationals of the following countries are normally considered to be visa-free:
British nationals overseas can also visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days without first applying for a visa.
The Schengen Visa Scheme allows visitors to obtain one visa to visit several designated countries within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Please note that the UK is not a Schengen state so you cannot re-enter the UK on a Schengen visa, you must make sure you have a valid visa for re-entry into the UK.
You will be required to prove that you have adequate travel and medical insurance to cover you whilst you are in the Schengen area. Most visa application centres have travel insurance that you can buy via their website.
There are currently 27 countries which have signed the Schengen agreement, and which make up the Schengen space.
If you need any further information or advice please contact the international advice service via email at internationalsupport@solent.ac.uk
If you'd like to know more about the Schengen visa scheme, you may find the answers in our frequently asked questions below.