Work for UK citizens travelling to Schengen area
Paid work in a Schengen country needs that country’s work visa or permit. The 90-day visa-free rule does not allow employment.
For a full UK citizen passport. Other British passport types can follow a different rule.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Anyone taking paid employment or long-term work in a Schengen state. |
| Maximum stay | Set by the national work permit or visa, not the 90-day visa-free rule. |
| Cost | Work visa fees are set by the country that employs you. See France-Visas (opens in a new tab) for France, or the embassy of your destination Schengen state. |
| Processing time | Processing times are national. Start from the EU immigration portal (opens in a new tab) and the embassy of the country issuing the work permit. |
| How to apply | Through the embassy or online portal of the Schengen country that issues the work permit. |
| Official link | Use the authority’s own website. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications. · GOV.UK France entry requirements (opens in a new tab) |
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue visas or travel authorisations and does not take applications. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Identify which Schengen country will employ you. That country usually issues the work permit.
- Apply for the national work visa or permit before you travel. The visa-free route is not valid for paid work.
- Enter with the work visa or permit shown at border control.
FAQ
Can I work remotely on a tourist visit?
GOV.UK says the visa-free stay is not for paid employment in Schengen. Remote work for a non-Schengen employer is not described on GOV.UK.
Is there one Schengen work visa?
Work permission is national. Apply to the country where you will work.
Sources
- GOV.UK: France entry requirements, including Schengen passport rules, the 90-day stay, and EES (opens in a new tab)
- European Union: countries using the Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
- European Union: who should apply for ETIAS, including the note that it is not in operation (opens in a new tab)
- European Union: ETIAS questions, including the EUR 20 fee and three-year validity (opens in a new tab)
- European Union: UK nationals and ETIAS, news item dated 15 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.