Schengen visa from India: cost, documents and where to apply
By Ganesh ·
A Schengen tourist visa from India step by step. The main-destination rule, €90 fee and service charges, documents checklist, the cascade for repeat travellers and EES at the border.
The short answer: one Schengen short-stay (type C) visa lets you visit all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply to the country where you'll spend the most nights (or, if equal, where you enter first), through its visa centre in India, usually VFS Global, or BLS International for some countries. The visa fee for adults is €90 (€45 for children aged 6–11) since the June 2024 increase, plus the visa centre's service charge. You can apply up to six months before travel and should apply at least 15 days before. Official rules are on the European Commission's site (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) and each embassy's site.
Fees and rules are set by the EU and member states, and service charges vary by centre. Check the official page of the country you're applying to for the current fee. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Which country should you apply to?
- Main destination rule: apply to the country where you'll spend the longest time.
- Equal nights: apply to the country you'll enter first.
- Same-day transit through Schengen airports usually needs no Schengen visa, but some nationalities need an airport transit visa. Check the airline and the embassy.
Plan the route before choosing. A Sancharees trip shows nights per country on the At a glance view, which makes the main-destination question easy to answer.
Costs (approximate)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, adult | €90, paid in INR |
| Visa fee, child 6–11 | €45 (under 6: free) |
| VFS / BLS service charge | Roughly ₹2,000–₹3,500, varies by country |
| Travel insurance (minimum €30,000 medical cover) | Roughly ₹1,000–₹3,000 for a two-week trip |
| Optional services (premium lounge, courier, SMS) | Optional |
Documents checklist
- Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid at least three months after you leave Schengen, with two blank pages; old passports too.
- Application form for your country (filled online and printed, depending on the country).
- Photos to ICAO specifications.
- Flight reservation (a booking, not necessarily a paid ticket, check the embassy's rule) and hotel bookings for every night.
- Travel insurance covering all Schengen countries, at least €30,000 medical.
- Cover letter: purpose, route, dates, who pays.
- Bank statements (often the last three to six months), ITRs for the last few years, salary slips.
- Employment letter with leave approval, or business proof, or student ID.
The cascade: longer visas for repeat travellers
In 2025 the EU adopted a specific "cascade" for Indian nationals: after you've lawfully used previous Schengen visas, you can be given a two-year multiple-entry visa, and then a five-year one. Each stay is still limited to 90 days in 180. Keep your old passports with previous Schengen visas. They make the case for you.
At the border: EES
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) started in October 2025. On your first entry your fingerprints and photo are recorded at the border instead of a passport stamp. Allow extra time at the first Schengen airport. ETIAS, the new travel authorisation, is for visa-free nationals. You don't need it if you hold a Schengen visa.
Tips
- Book appointments early. Searches for Schengen visas from India peak from November to February, and slots for summer travel fill fast.
- Show a realistic plan. Hotels, train tickets and day plans that fit together are more convincing than a long list of cities.
- Explain gaps or large deposits in your cover letter.
- Use the right insurance: it must cover the whole Schengen area and all your dates.
FAQ
How long does a Schengen visa take from India?
The rules give consulates 15 calendar days in normal cases, which can be extended in some cases. Apply well before you travel, especially in peak season.
Can I apply to one country and enter through another?
Yes, if your plan is honest: apply to the main destination, and you may enter anywhere in Schengen. Big unexplained changes to your plan can cause problems at the border or later.
Do I need a confirmed flight ticket?
Most embassies accept a reservation. Check the checklist of the country you're applying to.
Is a Schengen visa valid for the UK?
No. The UK and Ireland aren't in Schengen and need their own visas.
Photo: Paris - The Eiffel Tower in spring - 2307 by Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: भारत से शेंगेन वीज़ा: ख़र्च, दस्तावेज़ और किस देश में आवेदन करें