Schengen Area Visa for Indians

Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults (approximately ₹8,500). Children aged 6-12 pay €45. Children under 6 are exempt. Additional VFS service fee of ₹1,933-₹3,111 applies depending on country.

The fee increased on June 11, 2024 based on EU-wide inflation and operating costs. Schengen Visa Code requires fee review every 3 years. The previous increase was in 2020 (€60 to €80).

No, the Schengen visa fee (€90) is non-refundable regardless of outcome. VFS service fees are also non-refundable. This is why proper documentation is crucial to avoid wasting money.

Italy (₹571) and Slovakia (₹402) have the lowest VFS service charges. Compare this to Portugal (₹3,111) or Greece (₹3,125). You can save ₹2,500+ by applying through Italy if your itinerary allows.

Total cost is ₹11,000-₹15,000 per adult including: Embassy fee €90 (~₹8,500), VFS service (₹1,933-₹3,111), Travel insurance (₹500-2,000), Photos (₹100-300). Optional: premium lounge (₹4,600), form filling (₹1,500).

Yes. Children under 6 are exempt. Students traveling for study/research may get reduced fees from some countries. Germany offers free visas for EU-funded researchers. Erasmus program participants are exempt.

Pay at VFS center via cash, debit card, or credit card. Some centers accept online payment during appointment booking. Embassy fee is paid in local currency equivalent of Euros.

29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Yes! Bulgaria and Romania became full Schengen members from January 1, 2025 with land borders open. Air and sea borders were already open from March 31, 2024. They are now counted among 29 Schengen countries.

Apply at embassy of your MAIN destination (where you'll spend most nights). If equal nights, apply at first entry country. Example: 4 nights Paris + 3 nights Rome = Apply to France.

Iceland (94%), Lithuania (92%), Finland (90%), Germany (89%), Spain (88%). Avoid Malta which has only 37% approval rate. Consider these countries if your itinerary is flexible.

Yes, but your main destination should be the country that issued the visa. Immigration may question if your first entry and stay don't match your visa. Brief transits are acceptable.

No, UK is NOT part of Schengen (never was, even before Brexit). You need a separate UK visa. Ireland is also not in Schengen. Schengen visa only covers the 29 member countries.

Yes! Switzerland is a Schengen member despite not being in the EU. Same for Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. Your Schengen visa is valid in all 29 countries.

France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland are most popular. For easier approval: Germany, Spain, or Finland. For budget travelers: Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary.

Key documents: Valid passport (3+ months validity), application form, 2 photos, travel insurance (€30,000), flight booking, hotel booking, bank statements (6 months, stamped), ITR, employment letter with leave approval, cover letter.

Show €50-150 per day of stay. For a 10-day trip, ₹50,000-₹1,50,000. Recommended total balance: ₹3,00,000+. Balance should be consistent over 6 months - avoid last-minute large deposits.

No, online/printed bank statements are NOT accepted. You must get physical statements from the bank with official stamp and signature. This is a common rejection reason.

Yes, absolutely mandatory. Must have minimum €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation. Must cover all Schengen countries and entire trip duration. No exceptions. See our best travel insurance for Schengen visa guide.

Yes, confirmed flight reservation required. Book refundable tickets or use "flight reservation" services (₹500-1,000) that provide PNR without full payment. Don't buy non-refundable until visa approved.