Planning a Europe trip in 2026? Before you start booking flights, the very first question every Indian traveller asks is — how much does a Schengen visa cost from India? The honest answer is: more than the embassy fee printed on the official website. Between the €90 visa charge, the recently hiked VFS service fee, mandatory travel insurance, photographs, photocopies and courier costs, the total Schengen visa fees for Indians in 2026 typically land between ₹11,000 and ₹15,000 per adult applicant. This guide breaks down every single rupee — official fees, hidden costs, country-wise variations, and where you can legally save money.
We’ve pulled the latest 2026 numbers directly from VFS Global, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the European Commission so you know exactly what to budget — and exactly what’s optional. Whether you are flying to Paris, Rome, Berlin or Amsterdam, the Schengen visa fee structure is identical across all 29 Schengen countries. So bookmark this page, calculate your exact cost, and apply with confidence.
Do Indians need a visa for Schengen countries?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travelling to any of the 29 Schengen Area countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Portugal and the Nordic countries. The Schengen visa allows you to stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period across all member states on a single visa sticker. There is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option for Indian citizens.
Schengen Visa Fees for Indians 2026 — Official Cost
The Schengen visa fee is set by the European Commission and is identical across all 29 Schengen states. As of 2026, the official fee is:
| Applicant Category | Fee in EUR | Approx. INR (₹89/€) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12+ years) | €90 | ₹8,010 |
| Child (6 to 11 years) | €45 | ₹4,005 |
| Child (under 6 years) | FREE | ₹0 |
| Students travelling for study | FREE | ₹0 |
| Researchers & academic exchange | FREE | ₹0 |
Important: The visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. The exact INR amount fluctuates daily because consulates use the consular exchange rate, not the spot rate.
VFS Global Service Charges 2026 (Country-Wise)
This is where the cost surprises most Indian applicants. On 9 November 2025, VFS Global hiked its compulsory service fee for Schengen submissions in India. The new service charge ranges from ₹1,933 to ₹3,111 depending on the destination country. This fee is paid in addition to the embassy visa fee and is also non-refundable.
| Country | VFS Service Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| Germany | ₹1,933 |
| France | ₹2,166 |
| Spain | ₹2,397 |
| Italy | ₹2,397 |
| Netherlands | ₹2,494 |
| Switzerland | ₹2,494 |
| Greece | ₹2,494 |
| Austria | ₹2,494 |
| Portugal | ₹3,111 |
Travel Insurance — Mandatory Add-on Cost
Schengen rules make travel insurance non-negotiable. You must have:
- Minimum medical coverage of €30,000 (~₹26.7 lakh)
- Valid across all 29 Schengen countries
- Covers the entire duration of your trip (start to return)
- Includes repatriation, hospitalisation and emergency evacuation
Insurance pricing in India for a Schengen-compliant policy:
- 7-day trip: ₹400 – ₹900
- 15-day trip: ₹800 – ₹1,800
- 30-day trip: ₹1,500 – ₹3,500
- Multi-trip annual policy: ₹4,500 – ₹9,000
Brands like Tata AIG, Reliance, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC Ergo and ICICI Lombard all offer Schengen-compliant policies. Tip: Don’t buy the cheapest plan — visa officers verify if the insurance certificate clearly states “valid for all Schengen states” and “minimum €30,000 coverage”. A non-compliant policy is one of the top reasons for visa rejection.
Total Schengen Visa Cost from India — Real Budget
Here is the realistic all-in cost an Indian applicant should expect in 2026:
| Cost Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Embassy visa fee (€90) | ₹8,010 |
| VFS service fee | ₹1,933 – ₹3,111 |
| Travel insurance (15 days) | ₹800 – ₹1,800 |
| Photographs (35x45mm, 2 copies) | ₹150 – ₹300 |
| Photocopies & printouts | ₹100 – ₹200 |
| Courier return of passport | ₹495 (optional) |
| SMS alerts | ₹150 (optional) |
| Premium lounge service | ₹3,500 (optional) |
| Realistic total per adult | ₹11,000 – ₹15,000 |
For a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children aged 6–11), expect to spend roughly ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 in total visa costs alone, before flights and hotels.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa from India
The fee will be wasted if your documents aren’t ready. Use this checklist before you submit:
- ✅ Valid passport (issued within last 10 years, 3 months validity beyond return, 2 blank pages)
- ✅ Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- ✅ Two recent biometric photos (35x45mm, white background, less than 6 months old)
- ✅ Confirmed return flight reservation
- ✅ Hotel bookings for the entire stay
- ✅ Day-by-day travel itinerary
- ✅ Cover letter explaining purpose and duration of trip
- ✅ Travel medical insurance (€30,000 minimum, all Schengen countries)
- ✅ Last 3 months personal bank statements (with bank stamp & signature)
- ✅ Last 3 months salary slips
- ✅ Income Tax Returns of last 2 years
- ✅ Employment letter / NOC from employer
- ✅ Business registration documents (if self-employed)
How to Pay Your Schengen Visa Fee from India
- Book your VFS appointment at the relevant country’s VFS Global India page
- The visa fee is paid in cash in INR at the VFS centre on the day of submission
- VFS service fee is paid simultaneously by cash, debit card, credit card or UPI
- You receive an official receipt — keep this safe (you’ll need it to track your application)
- Some embassies (e.g. Germany) now accept online card payments through the VFS portal
Schengen Visa Processing Time — How Long to Wait?
The standard processing time is 10 to 15 working days from the date your application reaches the consulate. In peak summer months (May–August), it can extend to 30–45 days. As per official EU guidelines, the consulate has up to 45 days to decide complex cases. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your travel date. Detailed timelines are explained in our Schengen visa processing time guide.
Common Reasons Schengen Visa Fees Are “Lost”
Remember — your €90 + VFS fee + insurance is non-refundable even on rejection. The most common reasons applicants lose money:
- Bank statements without seal/signature — leading rejection reason
- Insufficient bank balance (rule of thumb: ₹1 lakh per traveller per week of stay)
- Travel insurance coverage less than €30,000 or not valid for all Schengen countries
- Inconsistent itinerary — flights and hotel dates not matching
- No proof of strong ties to India (employment, property, family)
- Previous Schengen visa overstays or violations
Read our detailed guide on Schengen visa rejection reasons for Indians before you apply.
Tips to Save Money on Schengen Visa Fees
- Apply through Germany or Slovakia — they have the lowest VFS service charges (₹1,933)
- Skip premium lounges if you’re confident with your documents — saves ₹3,500
- Choose normal courier over premium delivery
- Buy insurance only for your travel dates — avoid annual plans for one-off trips
- Children under 6 travel free — perfect for young-family planning
- Apply for a multiple-entry visa if you’ve had previous Schengen visas — you pay €90 once but can travel for up to 5 years
Schengen Multiple-Entry Visa — Worth the Same Fee
Here’s a fact most Indian travellers don’t know: a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa costs the same €90 as a single-entry visa. Under the EU’s “visa cascade” rule, applicants with a clean history of two short-stay visas in the previous three years can be issued a multi-year visa. So if you’ve travelled to Europe before — always apply for multiple entry. Same fee, 5 years of travel freedom.
Schengen Visa Fees by Country — Detailed Breakdown
While the embassy fee of €90 is uniform across all 29 Schengen states, there are subtle differences in the additional costs depending on which country you apply through. Here’s what Indian travellers need to know about country-specific costs in 2026.
France Schengen Visa Cost from India
France is one of the most popular Schengen destinations for Indians. The embassy fee is €90, VFS service fee is approximately ₹2,166. Total realistic cost: ₹11,500 – ₹13,500. France also offers a faster premium service at select VFS centres (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai) for an additional ₹3,500–₹5,000.
Germany Schengen Visa Cost from India
Germany has consistently been the most affordable Schengen visa to apply for from India because of its lowest VFS service charge of ₹1,933. Embassy fee is €90 (~₹8,010). Total typical spend: ₹10,800 – ₹12,500. Many Indian students and IT professionals favour Germany as the entry point because of this small but meaningful saving.
Italy Schengen Visa Cost from India
Italy charges the standard €90 embassy fee. VFS service fee is around ₹2,397. Total typical cost is approximately ₹11,800 – ₹13,800. Italian visas are issued through VFS Global in 11 Indian cities including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
Spain Schengen Visa Cost from India
Spain visas have the same €90 embassy fee. BLS International (not VFS) handles Spanish applications, charging approximately ₹2,300–₹2,700 in service fees. Including insurance and other costs, plan for a total of ₹12,000 – ₹14,000.
Switzerland Schengen Visa Cost from India
Switzerland is part of the Schengen area despite not being in the EU. The embassy fee is €90 paid in INR equivalent. VFS service fee is approximately ₹2,494. With insurance (recommended ₹2,000+ given Swiss medical costs), total comes to ₹12,500 – ₹15,500.
Schengen Visa Fee vs Other Popular Visas — Quick Comparison
To put the Schengen visa cost in perspective, here’s how it stacks up against other popular international visas Indians apply for:
| Visa Type | Embassy/Application Fee | Total Cost from India |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen Visa (Type C) | €90 (₹8,010) | ₹11,000 – ₹15,000 |
| UK Visit Visa | £115 (₹12,300) | ₹15,000 – ₹18,000 |
| USA B1/B2 Visa | $185 (₹15,540) | ₹16,500 – ₹19,000 |
| Canada Visit Visa | CAD 100 (₹6,200) | ₹8,500 – ₹11,000 |
| Australia Tourist Visa | AUD 195 (₹10,800) | ₹12,500 – ₹15,500 |
| Dubai Tourist Visa | AED 350 (₹8,200) | ₹6,500 – ₹9,000 |
For comparison guides, see our pillar articles on UK visa for Indians, Canada visa for Indians, and Dubai tourist visa for Indians.
Hidden & Optional Schengen Visa Costs Most Indians Miss
Beyond the obvious fees, here are charges that often catch first-time applicants off-guard:
- Premium Lounge access: ₹3,500 — gives you a separate, faster submission queue
- Prime Time appointment slots: ₹1,500 — early morning or weekend submission slots
- Form Filling assistance: ₹500 — VFS staff help fill the application form
- Photocopy & Photograph services: ₹100–₹500 — done at the VAC if you forget originals
- Courier service for passport return: ₹495 — recommended over self-pickup if you live far from a VFS centre
- SMS & email tracking: ₹150 — get real-time updates on your application status
- Rebooking penalty: ₹200–₹500 if you miss your appointment without rescheduling
None of these are mandatory. Skip them all and you’ll save ₹4,000–₹5,000.
When You DON’T Have to Pay the Schengen Visa Fee
The European Commission has fee waivers for specific categories. You may be exempt from the €90 fee if you fall into one of these groups:
- Children under 6 years of age (always free)
- Pupils, students, postgraduate students travelling for study
- Researchers travelling for scientific research
- Representatives of non-profit organisations attending events for those under 25
- Holders of diplomatic and service passports travelling on official business
- Family members of EU/EEA citizens (free in most cases)
Note: Even if your visa fee is waived, you still pay the VFS service fee.
Apply for Schengen Visa — Get Expert Help
Filing a Schengen visa application is paperwork-heavy and one missing document can cost you ₹15,000+ in rejected fees. VisaForTrip’s experts handle 100% of the documentation, appointment booking and submission for you — with a 98% approval rate for Indian applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Schengen visa fee for Indians in 2026?
The official Schengen visa fee for Indian adults is €90 (approx. ₹8,010), and €45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 are exempt. With VFS service charges (₹1,933–₹3,111) and mandatory insurance, the total cost works out to ₹11,000–₹15,000 per adult.
2. Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if rejected?
No. Both the embassy visa fee and the VFS service fee are non-refundable, regardless of whether your application is approved or rejected. This is why complete and accurate documentation is critical.
3. Which Schengen country has the cheapest visa fee?
The embassy visa fee is identical (€90) for all 29 Schengen countries. However, VFS service charges vary — Germany and Slovakia have the lowest VFS fees in India (around ₹1,933), while Portugal has the highest at ₹3,111.
4. Do I need to pay VFS fees if I apply directly at the embassy?
Most Schengen embassies in India have outsourced applications to VFS Global, so direct embassy submission is rarely an option. A few categories like diplomats and government officials may apply directly, but tourists must pay VFS service fees.
5. How can I pay the Schengen visa fee from India?
You pay the visa fee in INR cash at the VFS centre on the day of biometric submission. The VFS service fee can be paid via cash, debit/credit card, or UPI. A few embassies also offer online payment via the VFS portal.
6. Are children charged Schengen visa fees?
Children under 6 years of age are completely exempt from Schengen visa fees. Children aged 6–11 pay a reduced fee of €45 (~₹4,005). Children 12 and above pay the full adult fee of €90.
7. Can I get a 5-year Schengen visa for the same fee?
Yes. The fee for a multiple-entry Schengen visa, including 5-year long-validity visas issued under the cascade rule, is the same €90. If you have a clean track record of two prior short-stay Schengen visas, you can request a 5-year multiple-entry visa at no extra cost.