What is a schengen visa ?
Definition: A Schengen visa allows its holder to move freely in all the member states of the European Union who signed the Shengen agreement within the validity of the visa.
The Schengen Space: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithunia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Swizerland.
Foreign citizens with valid residency permits in a Schengen country may travel freely in the Schengen space for up to 3 months as long as they hold valid recognised passports and valid residency status.
Great Britain HAS NOT signed the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, even if you hold a permanent or temporary residency permit to reside in the UK, i.e. even if you live here, you may still need a visa in order to enter the Schengen zone.
Be advised that a Schengen visa does not guarantee the entry clearance into the Schengen space.