One Schengen visa covers 29 European countries. This guide covers the fee, documents, where to apply from Bengaluru, Chennai and Coimbatore, and how to avoid a refusal. Every fee and rule was checked on official EU and VFS Global pages in September 2026.
Do Indians need a Schengen visa?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa to visit any Schengen country for tourism, family visits or business. One visa covers all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You apply to the country where you will spend the most time, before you travel.
The 29 countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland (EU Home Affairs). The UK is not part of Schengen. See our UK visa guide for Indians.
Which country's consulate should I apply to?
Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. If you split your nights equally between two or more countries, apply to the country you will enter first. You must apply in the country where you legally live, so Indian residents apply in India, through that country's consulate or its visa application centre.
Four nights in France, three in Switzerland and three in Italy means a French application. A standard Schengen visa (a "uniform visa") is then valid for the whole Schengen territory, under Article 2 of the EU Visa Code. Our Europe trip from India guide has sample routes.
How much is the Schengen visa fee for Indians in 2026?
As of September 2026, the Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 pay no visa fee. On top of this, the visa application centre charges its own service fee. For France, VFS Global charges €22 per applicant in India, payable in rupees.
| Item | Amount or time (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa fee, adult | €90 |
| Visa fee, child aged 6 to 12 | €45 |
| Visa fee, child under 6 | No fee (Visa Code, Art. 16) |
| VFS Global service charge, France applications in India | €22 per applicant, paid online in ₹ (VFS Global) |
| Normal processing time | 15 days |
| Longest processing time | Up to 45 days if more checks are needed |
| When you can apply | 6 months to 15 days before travel |
Fees, processing times and application windows are from EU Home Affairs unless marked. Service charges differ by country, and the rupee amount moves with the exchange rate.
What documents do Indians need for a Schengen visa?
You need a valid passport, a completed application form, an ICAO-standard photo, travel medical insurance, and papers that show why you are travelling, where you will stay, how you will pay for the trip, and that you will come back to India. Your fingerprints are taken when you apply. The consulate can ask for more.
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, with two blank pages, valid 3 months beyond your exit from Schengen
- Old passports with previous visas
- Application form, filled in on the country's official visa site and signed
- Photo meeting ICAO standards
- Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid across Schengen for the whole stay
- Cover letter and day-by-day itinerary
- Flight reservation and hotel bookings (or a host's invitation) for every night
- Bank statements and income tax returns, for the period your consulate's list asks for
- Salaried: employer leave letter and recent salary slips. Self-employed: business registration and business tax returns
- Minors: birth certificate and consent from any parent who is not travelling
Passport, photo, insurance and fingerprint rules are in Articles 12 to 15 of the EU Visa Code. The job-specific papers are what consulates in India commonly ask for, and your consulate's own list always wins. For the rest of your paperwork, use our international travel checklist.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Every Schengen visa applicant needs travel medical insurance with minimum cover of €30,000. It must be valid in all Schengen countries and last for your whole stay. It must cover emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, including in case of death. Without it, your application is incomplete.
The Visa Code asks you to buy it in your country of residence where possible. Check that the certificate shows your exact dates. Our travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
Where can I apply for a Schengen visa in Bangalore, Chennai or Coimbatore?
You apply at the visa application centre that handles the country you are applying to. For France, VFS Global has centres in Bengaluru and Chennai, open Monday to Friday by appointment. Coimbatore has a temporary VFS service point that opens on one or two Saturdays a month, also by appointment only.
These timings are listed on the VFS Global France-India centres page. Other Schengen countries choose their own centres, so check the official visa page of your country before booking.
How do I apply for a Schengen visa from India, step by step?
Pick the country that handles your application, fill in its online form, book an appointment at its visa centre, pay the fees, and go in person with your documents to give your fingerprints. Then track the application and collect your passport. Apply at least 15 days before travel, and no earlier than 6 months before.
- Fix your itinerary to know your main country.
- Fill in the form on that country's official visa site.
- Book an appointment early. April to June slots fill fast.
- Attend in person. Fingerprints are taken at the first application and then, in principle, every 59 months. Children under 12 are exempt.
- Pay the visa fee and the service charge.
- Track with the reference number on your receipt, then collect your passport.
How long is a Schengen visa valid, and can Indians get a multi-entry visa?
A Schengen visa lets you stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and validity depends on the consulate's decision. Under an EU rule adopted in April 2024 for Indian residents, anyone who has lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years can get a two-year multiple-entry visa. A five-year visa can follow.
The five-year visa depends on your passport having enough validity left. This "cascade" rule is explained by the EU Delegation to India. "Lawfully used" means you travelled on the visa and never overstayed.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System, and does it affect Indian travellers?
Yes. The Entry/Exit System (EES) records non-EU short-stay visitors, including Schengen visa holders, digitally at the border instead of stamping passports. It has been fully running at all Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026. As a visa holder, your face is photographed at the border, and your fingerprints are already on file from your visa application.
EES also counts your 90 days automatically, so an overstay is recorded (EU EES FAQ).
Why do Schengen visas get rejected for Indians?
Most refusals come from a weak file: doubts about the purpose of the trip, unclear money or income, weak proof that you will come back to India, bookings that don't match the itinerary, or missing insurance. If you are refused, the consulate must tell you why and how to appeal.
| Common problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Purpose not clear | Cover letter and itinerary that match your bookings |
| Funds look unreliable | Steady statements, tax returns, and an explanation for any large recent deposit |
| Weak ties to India | Leave letter, business proof, property or family details |
| Wrong consulate | Most nights, or first entry if nights are equal |
| Insurance too low or wrong dates | €30,000 minimum, covering the full trip |
You can appeal or reapply with a stronger file (EU Home Affairs). Our Europe budget guide helps your funds and itinerary tell the same story.
Other visa guides for Indian travellers: UK visa, USA visa, Turkey visa, Japan visa, Dubai visa. Once the visa is in hand, our Europe rail guide and Europe budget guide help with the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Switzerland on a Schengen visa?
Yes. Switzerland is one of the 29 Schengen countries. If it is where you spend the most nights, you apply to the Swiss authorities.
Is a Schengen visa valid for the UK or Ireland?
No. The UK is not part of Schengen, and Ireland is not on the Schengen list. Each needs its own visa.
Do Indians need ETIAS if they already have a Schengen visa?
No. ETIAS is for visa-exempt travellers. Indians need a Schengen visa, so ETIAS does not apply.
Do children need their own Schengen visa?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own visa. Children under 6 pay no visa fee, children aged 6 to 12 pay €45, and children under 12 give no fingerprints.
Can I enter Europe through a different country from the one that issued my visa?
Yes. A standard Schengen visa is valid for the whole area, but your trip should match the plan you applied with.
How early should I apply for a Schengen visa for a summer trip?
You can apply up to 6 months ahead. For April to June, apply once your dates are fixed, since processing can take up to 45 days.
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