Schengen Visa for the Netherlands from the UK: Application, Fees and Processing in 2026

A Schengen visa for the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a short-stay or long-stay travel document for non-exempt nationals entering the Schengen area through the Netherlands. UK passport holders enter visa-free for short trips; UK residents on visa-requiring passports apply before travel via VFS Global in London or Edinburgh.

Who needs a Schengen visa from the UK for the Netherlands

British citizens travelling on a UK passport do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands for tourism, business meetings, conferences, short study visits or family stays. The 90-day allowance is shared across the entire Schengen area in any rolling 180-day window, so trips to Germany, Belgium, France or any other Schengen state count against the same total.

UK residents who hold a passport listed in Annex I of the EU Visa Code do need a short-stay Schengen visa. Common UK-based caseloads include Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian and South African passport holders. The application normally goes to the country that is the main destination by length of stay; where stays are equal across two or more countries, the country of first entry takes the file.

UK residence categories including Indefinite Leave to Remain, Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent and Innovator Founder do not by themselves create Schengen visa exemption. The exemption flows from the underlying nationality of the traveller, not from UK residence rights.

Where to apply: consular jurisdiction and application centres

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London is at 38 Hyde Park Gate, SW7 5DP, with a Consulate-General in Edinburgh. Consular jurisdiction over short-stay visas covers the United Kingdom. Short-stay Schengen visa applications are not normally lodged in person at the embassy. They are processed through VFS Global on behalf of the Netherlands, with visa application centres operating in London and Edinburgh. The national visa portal is netherlandsandyou.nl.

Long-stay (Type D and residence permit) applications follow a separate, employer-led or sponsor-led pathway through the IND. In most long-stay categories the Dutch sponsor (employer, university or family member) files the case with the IND first, and the applicant later collects the MVV sticker at the embassy in London or Edinburgh once the IND has approved entry.

How to apply: documents, biometrics and fees

The Schengen short-stay file follows the EU Visa Code. Applicants submit a completed application form, a passport valid for at least three months after departure from Schengen with two blank pages, two recent biometric photographs, travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 across the Schengen area, confirmed return travel, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient means of subsistence. Employed applicants attach recent payslips and an employer letter; students supply a no-objection letter and enrolment evidence.

Biometric data, a facial image and ten fingerprints, is captured at the VFS Global centre and stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 59 months. Applicants who have given biometrics for a Schengen visa within that window may be exempt from re-enrolment, although the consulate can still ask for an appointment.

The EU short-stay visa fee was set at EUR 90 from 11 June 2024 under the revised EU Visa Code. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and under-6s are exempt. VFS Global charges a service fee on top, set in pounds sterling at the centre. The visa fee is not refunded if the application is refused, and refusal letters set out the grounds with an appeal route through the Dutch courts.

Processing times and what to expect

The Netherlands applies the standard EU Visa Code timetable: 15 calendar days for a routine decision, extendable to 45 days where further documents are required or external consultation is triggered. Volumes peak from spring tulip season through summer holidays, so applicants planning travel between April and September should lodge as early as the EU rules allow, currently up to six months ahead of departure.

The decision is communicated through the VFS Global channel used at lodgement, with the passport returned in person or by secure courier. Applicants should not finalise non-refundable travel arrangements before the visa is in the passport. Where additional information is needed mid-decision, VFS Global will send a request through the application channel.

Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS: what UK travellers should know

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began phased rollout at Schengen external borders in October 2025. EES replaces manual passport stamping with an electronic record of every entry and exit by non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders. At the first crossing each visitor provides a facial image and four fingerprints, which are stored for three years and used to verify identity on later trips.

EES applies regardless of visa status. UK passport holders arriving into Amsterdam Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Eindhoven or via the Hook of Holland ferry will be registered. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes UK-facing EES guidance on gov.uk, and the European Commission maintains a public information portal at travel-europe.europa.eu.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to start in late 2026 or early 2027. When it begins, UK passport holders travelling visa-free will need to apply online for an ETIAS authorisation before travel. No ETIAS application is required today, and the Commission has stated the system will not be operational on earlier indicative dates. Schengen short-stay visa holders are exempt from ETIAS during the validity of the visa.

Long-stay national visas for the Netherlands

Long-stay travel beyond 90 days requires a national entry permit known as the Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV), a provisional residence permit, alongside a residence permit issued after arrival. Decisions are made by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) at ind.nl. Most categories rely on a recognised sponsor in the Netherlands who files the case on the applicant's behalf.

The main long-stay routes include the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme, the EU Blue Card, the Intra-Corporate Transferee permit, family reunification, study (with a recognised education institution acting as sponsor), the Orientation Year permit for recent graduates of Dutch and selected international universities, and the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa for self-employed US nationals. Each category has its own document checklist, salary or financial threshold, and processing time, all published on ind.nl.

For UK residents, the practical sequence is usually: secure a Dutch sponsor and offer, sponsor files the MVV and residence permit case with IND, IND issues a positive decision, applicant collects the MVV sticker at the embassy in London or the consulate in Edinburgh, applicant enters the Netherlands and completes biometric enrolment and residence card collection on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a Schengen visa for the Netherlands?

No. British citizens travelling on a UK passport are visa-exempt for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, including the Netherlands. A visa is only required for stays beyond 90 days or for long-stay categories such as work, study or family reunification.

Where do UK residents apply for a Dutch Schengen visa?

Short-stay Schengen visa applications from the UK are processed by VFS Global on behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Visa application centres operate in London and Edinburgh. The embassy itself is at 38 Hyde Park Gate, SW7 5DP, and the Consulate-General is in Edinburgh.

How much does a Dutch Schengen visa cost?

The EU short-stay visa fee was set at EUR 90 for adults from 11 June 2024 under the revised EU Visa Code. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and under-6s are exempt. VFS Global charges a service fee on top. Verify the live fee with the embassy before applying.

How long does a Dutch Schengen visa take to process?

The standard window is 15 calendar days from a complete lodgement, extendable to 45 days where additional checks are required. Applicants travelling between April and September face peak volumes and should lodge as early as the EU rules allow.

What is the MVV for the Netherlands?

The Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) is the provisional residence permit needed to enter the Netherlands for stays beyond 90 days. It is issued after the IND approves the underlying residence permit and is collected as a sticker in the passport at the Dutch embassy in London or the Consulate-General in Edinburgh.

What is the DAFT visa?

The Dutch American Friendship Treaty visa is a self-employment route available only to US nationals. It allows holders to live in the Netherlands and operate a Dutch business after meeting a minimum investment threshold. It is administered by the IND and does not apply to UK or other non-US passport holders.

Will EES change how UK travellers enter the Netherlands?

Yes. The EU Entry/Exit System is being rolled out at Schengen borders from October 2025. UK travellers provide a facial image and four fingerprints on first crossing, replacing the existing passport stamp. The data is stored for three years and used to verify identity on later trips.