Schengen visa from India: documents, cost and 2026 timeline

The Schengen short-stay visa lets Indian travellers visit 29 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The challenge isn't the form — it's the appointment slot. Here's how to actually get one in 2026.

Which embassy should you apply to?

Apply to the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most nights. If your stay is split evenly, apply to the country of first entry. Mixing this up is the single biggest reason applications stall at the verification stage.

Standard document checklist

• Passport with 3+ months validity beyond return date and 2 blank pages
• Two recent biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background)
• Confirmed return flight reservation (not ticket)
• Hotel bookings for every night of the trip
• Travel insurance covering EUR 30,000 of medical expenses
• Last 6 months of bank statements (minimum INR 1.5L per week of travel)
• Last 3 months of salary slips or 2 years of ITRs
• Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary

Realistic timeline

1. Week 8 before travel — start gathering documents
2. Week 6 — book VFS appointment (slots fill fast for summer)
3. Week 4 — attend appointment and submit biometrics
4. Week 1–2 — passport returned with visa

Cost breakdown

Embassy fee is EUR 90 (~INR 8,200). VFS service charge is around INR 1,900. Insurance for a 10-day trip starts at INR 800. Total: roughly INR 11,000–13,000 per applicant before any premium service is added.