Schengen visa from India: where to apply, timing, insurance and fees

Apply to the Schengen country where you will spend the most days, no earlier than six months and at least 15 days before travel. Book an appointment through the visa application centre, give fingerprints in person, and hold travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000. Check the current fee on your destination country's own page.

How do you apply for a Schengen visa from India?

Which country do you apply to?

The German mission in India explains that you apply to the Schengen country that is your main destination. With one destination, that is the country you apply to. If you visit several countries for the same number of days, apply to the one you enter first. If the days are unequal, apply to the country where you spend the most days. A short Schengen visa is for visits and is not a work permit, so it cannot be used to take up a job. If you plan to work, read how a job abroad from India works first.

Step by step

Choose the right country using the main-destination rule above, and pick the checklist for your purpose (tourism, family visit, business). The German mission publishes a separate checklist for each purpose.
Apply no earlier than six months before your travel. The German mission says to apply at least 15 calendar days before the trip and recommends at least three weeks.
Book an appointment. The German mission says all applicants need an appointment to submit documents, passport and biometric data, booked through VFS.
Attend in person. All applicants provide fingerprints and a digital photograph. The mission says fingerprints can be reused for later applications within five years, and children under 12 are exempt.
Bring a passport photo of 35x45 mm with a white or grey background, not older than six months, plus your insurance and the documents on your checklist.
Pay the visa fee and any separate service charge, then track the decision. Keep your receipts.

Passport and insurance rules

The passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, have at least two blank pages and have been issued within the previous 10 years.
Travel medical insurance must cover emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation, be valid for the whole Schengen area and the whole stay, with minimum cover of EUR 30,000, as stated by the German mission. It says only insurers approved by German missions are accepted for its applications, so check your destination's list.
The European Commission states the same passport and insurance basics and normal processing of 15 days, which can extend to 45 days if more examination or documents are needed.

The fee: two official figures

Official sources do not agree on the adult fee. The German mission's fee page in India (dated 23 August 2024) still shows EUR 80, in force since 2 February 2020. The Embassy of Italy in Dhaka states that the fee rose from EUR 80 to EUR 90 on 11 June 2024, and the European Commission's page (December 2025) lists EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12, which matches the higher adult fee. We cannot confirm the current figure from the pages we read, so check the fee on your destination country's own visa page before you pay.

The German mission also says the fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. Fees are paid in local currency, and the visa centre's service charge is separate from the visa fee. Never pay anyone who offers to "guarantee" a Schengen visa. See the overseas job scam warning signs.

If you plan to work or look for work in Europe

A visit visa does not allow work. If your aim is Germany, compare the Opportunity Card requirements with the job seeker visa. You can also submit your CV or read our Trust Center before using any agent.

Official sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-17. Information only, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How early can I apply for a Schengen visa?

No more than six months before the start of the visit. The German mission advises applying at least 15 calendar days before travel and recommends at least three weeks.

How long does a decision take?

The European Commission says normally 15 days, extendable to up to 45 days if more examination or documents are needed. The German mission's FAQ also gives other figures, so allow extra time.

Do I have to appear in person?

Yes. The German mission says all applicants must appear in person for fingerprints and a photograph, after booking an appointment through VFS.

Is the fee refunded if my visa is refused?

The German mission states that the visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. A refused applicant can re-apply, ideally after addressing the reasons given.