Italian Consulate London: Visa Applications, Services and Appointments 2026

The Italian Consulate General in London is the principal Italian diplomatic and consular mission for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It handles Schengen visa applications, Italian passport and identity document renewals, citizenship and civil registration services, and notarial and authentication requests for the Italian community in the UK and for UK nationals travelling to or relocating to Italy.

Address and Contact

The Consulate General of Italy is located at Harp Lane, London EC3R 6DP. The nearest Underground stations are Monument (District and Circle lines) and Tower Hill (District and Circle lines). The consulate does not accept walk-in visitors for visa or consular services - all appointments must be pre-booked online. For general enquiries: consolato.londra@esteri.it. For visa-specific queries: visti.londra@esteri.it. The consulate's main telephone line is +44 (0)20 7312 2200.

Schengen Visa Applications

Italy is a Schengen Area member state. UK residents who are not EU, EEA or Swiss nationals and who wish to travel to Italy or use Italy as their main Schengen destination must apply for a Schengen C visa (short-stay, up to 90 days in any 180-day period) through the Italian Consulate. Since Brexit, British citizens travelling to the Schengen Area for tourism or business do not currently require a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is subject to change when the EU's ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) launches; the current expected implementation date is mid-2025, though this has been subject to repeated delays. Check the latest position at ec.europa.eu/home-affairs before travel. Third-country nationals resident in the UK who require a Schengen visa to visit Italy should apply through VFS Global, which manages biometric enrolment on behalf of the Italian Consulate. The VFS Global application centre for Italian Schengen visas in London is at 66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BT.

Visa Types Processed

The Italian Consulate in London processes Schengen C visas for tourism, business visits, family visits, medical treatment and short-stay cultural or educational purposes. It also issues national D visas for longer stays - study visas for courses exceeding 90 days, employment visas (nulla osta required from Italian authorities), self-employment visas and family reunification visas.

Booking an Appointment

Appointments for all consular services are booked through the Prenota Online system at prenotaonline.esteri.it. A valid email address is required to register. Appointment availability varies - during busy periods (spring and summer) slots can be limited several weeks in advance. For Italian citizens: passport renewals, identity cards, electoral registry updates and AIRE (Registry of Italians Resident Abroad) registrations are all handled through the same appointment system.

Visa Fees

The standard Schengen visa fee is 80 euros, payable in GBP at the rate published by the consulate. Reduced fees apply for children aged 6 to 12 (40 euros) and some third-country nationals covered by bilateral agreements. Children under 6 are exempt. Service fees charged by VFS Global are additional to the consulate fee.

Italian Citizenship and Civil Status

The Italian Consulate in London handles applications for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (cittadinanza jure sanguinis), registration of births, marriages and deaths involving Italian citizens, and transcription of foreign civil status documents into Italian civil records. These services require separate appointments and significant documentary preparation - applicants are advised to consult the consulate's website at conslondra.esteri.it for the current document checklist.

Processing Times

Schengen visa applications should be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended travel date. Processing takes up to 15 calendar days in standard cases; complex applications or those requiring consultation with Italian authorities can take up to 30 or 60 days. Italian national D visas typically take four to twelve weeks depending on the visa type and whether employer or institution sponsorship is required.

Where is the Italian Consulate in London?

The Italian Consulate General is at Harp Lane, London EC3R 6DP, near Monument and Tower Hill Underground stations.

Do I need a Schengen visa to visit Italy from the UK?

British citizens do not currently need a Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This may change when the EU's ETIAS system launches. Third-country nationals resident in the UK will generally need to apply for a Schengen C visa.

How much does an Italian Schengen visa cost from the UK?

The standard Schengen visa fee is 80 euros (approximately £68). VFS Global service fees are additional. Children aged 6-12 pay a reduced fee of 40 euros; under-6s are exempt.

How long does an Italian visa take to process?

Standard Schengen visa applications take up to 15 calendar days. Apply at least 15 days before travel and no more than six months in advance.

How do I book an appointment at the Italian Consulate London?

Through the Prenota Online system at prenotaonline.esteri.it. You will need a valid email address to register and book a slot.

Does the Italian Consulate in London handle Italian passport renewals?

Yes. Italian citizens registered with AIRE can renew passports and identity cards at the consulate. Appointments are required through the Prenota Online system.