Do Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa?
Yes. Indian citizens need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area for any short stay (up to 90 days) for tourism, business, family visits, cultural or sports events, or transit. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival route for ordinary Indian passport holders entering the Schengen Area. The visa you receive is valid for travel across all 27 Schengen countries, not just the one whose embassy issued it.
Which countries does the Schengen visa cover?
A Schengen short-stay visa is valid for the 27 Schengen 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 and Switzerland. Note that Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not in Schengen, so a Schengen visa does not cover them.
Which embassy should you apply to?
When you visit only one Schengen country, you apply to that country's embassy or its visa application centre (VFS Global, BLS, VFS, or TLScontact depending on the country). When you visit several countries, you apply to the embassy of the country that is your main destination (the longest stay). If your stay is spread evenly across countries, you apply to the country you enter first. Getting this wrong is a common reason a file is returned without processing, so decide your itinerary before booking an appointment.
Documents required for a Schengen visa (Indian citizens)
A complete, consistent file is the single biggest factor in a smooth Schengen application. Prepare these documents:
- Passport — valid for at least six months beyond your return date, with at least two blank pages and issued within the last 10 years.
- Schengen visa application form — completed and signed, with details matching your passport exactly.
- One recent photograph — 35 × 45 mm, white background, neutral expression, taken within the last six months.
- Travel medical insurance — covering the entire Schengen Area for the full trip, with a minimum cover of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation.
- Flight itinerary or reservation — showing entry and exit dates; a held reservation is usually enough, a paid ticket is not required before the visa is granted.
- Proof of accommodation — hotel bookings for every night, or a host invitation letter with the host's ID and address.
- Bank statements — for the last six months, showing regular income and a balance that comfortably covers the trip.
- Income tax returns — typically the last two to three years.
- Employment evidence — a leave-sanctioned NOC from your employer, or business registration and financials for the self-employed; for students, a college bonafide and a parent sponsorship letter.
- A day-by-day travel itinerary covering your full trip.
- A cover letter explaining the purpose, dates and funding of your trip.
Schengen visa fees and the VFS service charge
The Schengen visa fee for adults is €80 (approximately ₹7,200) and €40 for children aged 6 to 12; children under 6 are exempt. On top of the visa fee, the visa application centre (VFS Global, BLS or TLScontact) charges a service fee of roughly ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per application. Some embassies also offer a premium lounge or courier return for an extra charge. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. The confirmed, dated fee for a specific country is shown on that destination page when Krosz has verified it.
How long does a Schengen visa take to process?
The standard Schengen processing time is 15 calendar days from the date the embassy receives a complete application. In practice, many Indian applicants get a decision in 7 to 12 days, but during peak travel season (March to June, and October to December) it can stretch to the full 15 days or, in exceptional cases, up to 45 days when the file needs extra checks. Always apply at least three to four weeks before your travel date, and earlier in peak season.
The in-person biometrics appointment
Most Schengen applications require you to attend a visa application centre in person to submit your fingerprints and a live photograph. This biometric data is stored for 59 months, so if you apply again within that window you may not need to give fingerprints again — though some embassies still ask you to attend in person. Book your appointment early; in peak season, appointment slots at major Indian VFS centres can be unavailable for two to three weeks.
Common Schengen visa refusal reasons for Indians
- Insufficient or unexplained funds — bank statements showing sudden large deposits without a clear source.
- Weak ties to India — no clear reason to return (stable job, family, property or studies are all positive signals).
- An itinerary that does not match the flight or hotel bookings.
- Inconsistent information across the form, cover letter and documents.
- A vague or unconvincing purpose of travel.
- Travel insurance that does not meet the €30,000 minimum or does not cover the full trip.
How to strengthen your Schengen application
- Build a clear, day-by-day itinerary and make sure every booking matches it.
- Show steady bank balances over six months rather than a last-minute deposit.
- Write a one-page cover letter that explains your trip, your job, and your reason to return.
- Apply to the correct embassy (main destination, or first entry if even split).
- Book your appointment early and carry originals plus one set of copies.
Frequently asked questions
Which Schengen country is easiest for Indians to get a visa from?
There is no officially "easy" embassy — approval depends on your profile, not the country. That said, France, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands process large volumes of Indian tourist applications and often have faster appointment availability. Apply to the country that is genuinely your main destination; applying to a country you barely visit is a refusal risk.
Can I travel to non-Schengen EU countries like the UK or Ireland on a Schengen visa?
No. The UK and Ireland have their own separate visa systems and are not part of the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa does not let you enter either country. You need a separate UK or Ireland visa.
Do I need to buy my flight tickets before applying?
No. Embassies ask for a flight reservation or itinerary, not a paid ticket. Buying a non-refundable ticket before the visa is granted is a financial risk — a held reservation from a travel agent or airline is accepted.
How much bank balance is needed for a Schengen visa?
There is no fixed official figure, but a steady balance that clearly covers your flights, stay, insurance and daily expenses (often roughly €50 to €100 per day of travel) over the last six months is expected. Sudden deposits without a clear source raise questions.
Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if my visa is refused?
No. The visa fee and the visa application centre service charge are non-refundable once the application is processed, regardless of the outcome.
How long is a Schengen visa valid for?
A short-stay Schengen visa is usually issued for the exact dates of your trip, or as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years for applicants with a strong travel history. First-time applicants typically receive a visa valid only for the requested trip dates.