Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- The German Embassy in London sits at 23 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PZ
- Schengen short-stay and National (D) long-stay visas are both processed in London
- Appointments are booked online through the embassy portal at london.diplo.de
- Standard Schengen processing usually runs 15 calendar days from the appointment date
- The main phone line is +44 (0)20 7824 1300, with separate visa-section hours
The German Embassy in London serves UK residents who need a visa for travel, study, work or family reasons in Germany. The visa section covers both short-stay Schengen applications and longer national permits, and it works alongside the consulates in Edinburgh and Manchester depending on the applicant's address.
Address and Contact Details
The embassy occupies a Grade II listed building in Belgravia, central London. Visa applicants enter through the consular section once an appointment is confirmed.
Address: 23 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PZ
Phone: +44 (0)20 7824 1300
Website: https://london.diplo.de
Visa booking page: london.diplo.de/gb-en/visas-immigration
Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge Underground stations are both around a six-minute walk. The visa section publishes its own opening hours, separate from the main switchboard.
Visa Services Available
The London embassy covers the full range of German visa categories for residents of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish applicants are usually directed to Edinburgh.
- Schengen Visa (Type C): short stays in Germany or another Schengen state of up to 90 days within any 180-day window
- National Visa (Type D): long-stay permit covering more than 90 days, used as the entry route for residence permits
- Student Visa: for university, language course or vocational training enrolments
- Work Visa: including the EU Blue Card, skilled worker route and IT specialist categories
- Family Reunion Visa: for joining a spouse, registered partner or minor child resident in Germany
- Job Seeker Visa: six-month entry permit for qualified applicants searching for employment in Germany
How to Book an Appointment
All visa applications run through the online booking system on london.diplo.de. The portal handles Schengen and National (D) routes separately, and slot availability varies by category and season. Appointments often open further in advance during peak summer months.
Steps published by the embassy are:
- Select the correct visa category on the booking page
- Create a user account using a valid email address
- Choose an available date and time slot
- Download the appointment confirmation and bring it on the day
- Submit the application and biometrics in person at Belgrave Square
The embassy notes that rescheduling is possible through the same portal up to a defined cut-off, after which the slot is forfeited.
Documents and Requirements
Document checklists depend on the visa category, but a core set applies to almost every German visa filed in London.
- Completed and signed application form, printed from the VIDEX portal
- Valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond the intended stay and two blank pages
- Two recent biometric photographs meeting Schengen specifications
- Proof of UK residence, for example a Biometric Residence Permit, pre-settled or settled status share code, or a current UK visa
- Travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 EUR cover for Schengen routes
- Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings, a tenancy agreement or a formal invitation letter
- Evidence of funds covering the trip or study period
- Round-trip travel reservations or a detailed itinerary
National (D) categories add route-specific documents, including job contracts, university admission letters, recognised qualifications and language certificates.
Processing Times and Fees
The embassy publishes indicative timelines, not firm guarantees.
- Schengen Visa: typically 15 calendar days, with the option of extension to 45 days where extra checks are needed
- National Visa (D): commonly 6 to 12 weeks, with some categories such as family reunion running longer
- Standard Schengen fee: 90 EUR for adults, 45 EUR for children aged 6 to 11, free under 6
- National Visa fee: 75 EUR for adults and 37.50 EUR for minors
- Fees are payable in pounds sterling at the embassy rate, in cash or by card depending on current arrangements
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the German Embassy in London accept walk-in visa applications?
No. Every applicant needs a confirmed online appointment, booked through the embassy portal. The security gate at Belgrave Square does not admit applicants without proof of a slot.
Can I apply at the London embassy if I live in Scotland?
Applicants resident in Scotland are usually directed to the German Consulate in Edinburgh, which has its own consular district. The London embassy may decline applications that fall outside its catchment.
How long is a Schengen Visa from Germany valid?
A standard Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the wider Schengen area. The validity dates printed on the sticker control entry, while the duration of stay caps total days.
Do I need biometrics every time I apply?
Biometrics are valid for 59 months under current Schengen rules. If a previous set is still on file and within that window, the embassy may waive the in-person biometric step.
What happens if my passport is close to expiry?
Schengen rules require the passport to be valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the Schengen area, and to have been issued within the last ten years. Applications with shorter validity are usually refused.
How We Verified This
Address, phone and visa category details were cross-checked against the official German Embassy London website at london.diplo.de and the federal Auswaertiges Amt portal. Fee figures reflect the published Schengen and national fee schedule current at the date shown in the TL;DR.
