If you’re applying for a Europe trip, one cost confuses almost every Indian applicant: the VFS Global service fee for a Schengen visa. It’s separate from the €90 embassy fee, it’s charged in INR, and — frustratingly — it changes depending on which Schengen country you apply to. In 2026 this VFS Global service charge ranges from roughly ₹1,933 to ₹3,111 per application, on top of the government visa fee. This guide breaks down the VFS Global service fee for Schengen visas from India country by country, explains exactly what it covers, lists every optional add-on charge, and shows you how and where to pay — so there are no surprises at the visa centre.
All figures here are current for 2026 and reflect the 15–20% service-charge increase VFS Global introduced across India in November 2025. Because each embassy negotiates its own VFS contract, always confirm the exact amount on your specific country’s official VFS page before you pay.
What is the VFS Global service fee?
When you apply for a Schengen visa from India, you actually pay two separate fees:
- The embassy (consular) fee: A fixed €90 for adults, set by the EU and identical for every Schengen country. This goes to the embassy and covers the actual visa processing.
- The VFS Global service fee: A separate charge that goes to VFS Global, the private company that runs the visa application centres, collects your biometrics, and forwards your file to the embassy. This is the fee that varies by country.
So the VFS Global service fee is essentially a handling/facilitation charge — it’s not the visa fee itself. You pay both at the visa centre on the day of your biometric appointment. Note that a few countries (like Spain) use BLS International instead of VFS, but the concept is identical: a third-party service charge on top of the €90.
VFS Global Schengen visa service fee 2026 (country-wise, in INR)
Here are the approximate VFS Global service charges for popular Schengen countries from India in 2026. These are the service fees only — the €90 embassy fee is charged on top.
| Schengen country | VFS / service partner fee (approx., INR) |
|---|---|
| Germany | ₹1,933 |
| France | ₹2,000–₹2,500 |
| Italy | ₹2,397 |
| Switzerland | ₹2,494 |
| Netherlands | ₹2,000–₹2,800 |
| Spain (via BLS International) | ₹2,300–₹2,700 |
| Portugal | ₹3,111 (among the highest) |
| Slovakia | ₹402 (among the lowest) |
| Typical range (most countries) | ₹1,933 – ₹3,111 |
As you can see, Germany — the most popular Schengen route for Indians — has one of the lower service fees at around ₹1,933, while Portugal sits at the top near ₹3,111. Slovakia is an outlier at roughly ₹402. If your travel plans are flexible on the “main destination” country, the service fee can be one (small) factor in where you apply — though you must always apply to the country where you’ll spend the most days.
What does the VFS Global service fee cover?
The standard service fee pays for the core work VFS does on the embassy’s behalf:
- ✅ Accepting and checking your application at the centre
- ✅ Capturing your biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
- ✅ Securely forwarding your documents and passport to the embassy
- ✅ Returning your passport to the centre for collection
- ✅ Basic application tracking online
What the standard fee does not include are the many optional add-on services VFS upsells at the counter — premium lounge, courier delivery, SMS alerts, photocopies, and so on. These are where applicants often end up paying far more than expected.
Optional VFS Global add-on charges (2026)
These services are optional — you are not required to buy any of them to get your visa. Here’s what they typically cost in India in 2026:
| Optional service | Approx. charge (INR) |
|---|---|
| Premium Lounge access | ₹4,600 |
| Form-filling assistance | ₹1,500 |
| SMS + Courier combo | ₹1,250 |
| Courier passport return | ₹300–₹600 |
| On-site photo | ₹600 |
| SMS / WhatsApp alerts | ₹100–₹200 |
| Photocopies (at centre) | ₹100–₹200 |
Tip: Get your photos and photocopies done before you reach the centre — a photo shop near home charges a fraction of the on-site rate. Skip the premium lounge unless you genuinely value the comfort; it adds ₹4,600 with no impact on your approval.
Total Schengen visa cost from India 2026 (full breakdown)
To see where the VFS service fee fits, here’s the complete cost picture for one adult applicant:
| Cost component | Approx. amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Embassy/consular fee (€90) | ₹8,300–₹9,200 |
| VFS Global service fee | ₹1,933–₹3,111 |
| Travel insurance (mandatory) | ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
| Optional add-ons (SMS, courier, etc.) | ₹0–₹1,500 |
| Typical all-in total | ₹11,500–₹15,000 |
For a deeper dive into the total cost, see our complete guide to the Schengen visa fees for Indians and the all-in VFS Schengen visa fees in INR. Children aged 6–11 pay a reduced €45 embassy fee, and children under 6 are exempt from the consular fee entirely.
How and where to pay the VFS service fee
- Book your appointment on the official VFS Global website for your destination country.
- Visit the VFS centre on your appointment day — there are centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, among others.
- Submit documents and give biometrics. The staff verify your file.
- Pay both fees together — the €90 embassy fee (in INR equivalent) and the VFS service fee. Payment is accepted by cash, debit/credit card, and increasingly UPI at major centres.
- Collect your receipt and tracking details. Keep the receipt safe until your passport is returned.
Is the VFS Global service fee refundable?
No. Both the €90 embassy fee and the VFS Global service fee are non-refundable — even if your visa is refused. That’s exactly why it pays to get your application right the first time: complete documents, correct insurance, and a clean, consistent file. A rejection means paying the full amount again to reapply.
How to avoid paying extra at VFS
- Decline upsells you don’t need. Premium lounge, form-filling, and on-site photos are all optional.
- Carry your own photos and photocopies done outside at lower cost.
- Choose courier only if the centre is far from you — otherwise collect the passport yourself for free.
- Buy travel insurance separately online; the insurance desk at the centre is rarely the cheapest. See our guide to Schengen travel insurance for Indians.
- Double-check your file against our step-by-step Schengen application guide so you never have to pay a second time after a refusal.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How much is the VFS Global service fee for a Schengen visa from India in 2026?
It ranges from about ₹1,933 to ₹3,111 per application depending on the Schengen country, charged on top of the €90 embassy fee.
Is the VFS service fee separate from the €90 Schengen fee?
Yes. The €90 goes to the embassy; the VFS service fee goes to VFS Global. You pay both together at the visa centre.
Which Schengen country has the lowest VFS service fee from India?
Among popular options, Germany (~₹1,933) is on the lower side, while Slovakia (~₹402) is an outlier low. Portugal (~₹3,111) is among the highest. Always apply to the country where you’ll spend the most days.
Is the VFS Global service fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
No. Both the embassy fee and the VFS service fee are non-refundable, even on refusal.
Can I pay the VFS service fee by UPI or card?
Yes. Major VFS centres in India accept cash, debit/credit cards, and increasingly UPI.
Why did VFS service charges go up recently?
VFS Global raised its India service charges by 15–20% in November 2025, pushing total Schengen visa costs above ₹12,000 for many countries.
Are VFS optional services like premium lounge mandatory?
No. Premium lounge (₹4,600), courier, SMS, form-filling and on-site photos are all optional and do not affect your visa decision.
Why does the VFS Global service fee vary by country?
Many Indian applicants are puzzled that Germany charges around ₹1,933 while Portugal charges near ₹3,111 for what looks like the same service. The reason is simple: each Schengen embassy signs its own separate contract with VFS Global (or another partner like BLS International). The service fee is negotiated individually between that mission and the service provider, factoring in the volume of applications, the number of centres they operate, staffing, and local operating costs. There is no single “Schengen-wide” VFS rate. That’s why the smart move is always to check the official VFS page for your exact destination country rather than assuming a flat figure. The €90 embassy fee, by contrast, is fixed by the EU and is identical everywhere.
VFS service fee for children and families
Travelling as a family changes the maths. The embassy fee is reduced for children — €45 for ages 6 to 11 and free for children under 6. However, the VFS Global service fee usually still applies per person, including for children, because the centre still processes each application and (for those aged 12+) captures biometrics. So for a family of four, budget the full VFS service fee for each applicant, plus the embassy fee at the adult or child rate as applicable, plus separate travel insurance for everyone. A family of four can therefore easily cross ₹45,000–₹55,000 in total visa costs before flights and hotels — worth planning for well in advance.
VFS Global vs BLS International and other service partners
VFS Global is the largest visa outsourcing company and handles most Schengen countries in India — including Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and many more. But it isn’t the only one. Spain, for example, routes its applications through BLS International, which charges a comparable service fee of roughly ₹2,300–₹2,700. A few other missions use their own appointed partners. The practical takeaway is the same regardless of provider: there is always a service charge on top of the €90 embassy fee, it is paid at the application centre, and it is non-refundable. When you book, make sure you’re on the official provider’s site for your country and not a look-alike third-party reseller charging inflated “convenience” fees.
Schengen fee facts to remember in 2026
- The €90 adult embassy fee has been unchanged since June 2024 and remains the same in 2026.
- The VFS service fee rose 15–20% across India in November 2025 — older blog figures may understate your real cost.
- The service fee is charged per application, per person, including most children.
- Both fees are non-refundable, whatever the outcome.
- Travel insurance is mandatory and is a separate cost from both fees.
- Always pay at the official VFS/BLS centre — never to unofficial agents promising “guaranteed” visas.
Key takeaways on the VFS Global Schengen service fee
To sum up, the VFS Global service fee for a Schengen visa from India in 2026 is a separate, country-specific charge of roughly ₹1,933 to ₹3,111 that you pay on top of the fixed €90 embassy fee. It covers document handling, biometrics, and passport return — but not the long list of optional upsells like the ₹4,600 premium lounge. Both the embassy fee and the VFS service fee are non-refundable, so the single best way to protect your money is to submit a complete, accurate application the first time. Add mandatory travel insurance and you’re looking at an all-in cost of around ₹11,500 to ₹15,000 per adult. Always confirm your country’s exact service fee on the official VFS Global (or BLS International) website before your appointment, and decline any add-on you don’t truly need. With a little planning, there’s no reason to overpay a single rupee at the visa centre.
Apply for your Schengen visa with confidence
Don’t risk a non-refundable fee on a rejected application. VisaForTrip’s experts review your documents, insurance, and forms before you pay at VFS — so you get it right the first time. Apply Now or chat with a Schengen visa expert on WhatsApp for free guidance. New to the process? Start with our full Schengen visa guide for Indians.