Last Updated: March 2026
As of March 2026, Indian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit Europe — ETIAS does not apply. Whether you’re planning a Paris honeymoon, a Switzerland trip, or a multi-country tour, here is everything you need to know to get it right the first time.
⚡ Indian Citizens: Europe Visa — Quick Facts
| Do Indian citizens need a visa for Europe? | Yes — a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) is required |
| Does ETIAS apply to Indian citizens? | No — ETIAS is for visa-exempt nationalities only. India is not on the EU visa-exempt list. |
| How much does a Schengen visa cost for Indians? | €80 (~₹7,200) adults · €40 (~₹3,600) children aged 6–11 · free under 6 |
| How long does processing take? | Up to 15 working days; apply at least 30–45 days before travel during peak season |
| How long can I stay? | 90 days in any 180-day rolling period across all Schengen countries |
| Which countries are covered? | 29 Schengen member states — one visa covers all |
| Where do I apply? | VFS Global centres across India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad) |
| Does a Schengen visa cover the UK? | No — a separate UK Standard Visitor Visa is required |
Do Indians Need a Visa for Europe?
Yes. India is not on the EU’s list of visa-exempt countries, so Indian passport holders must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) before travelling to any Schengen country. This includes France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Netherlands, and all other Schengen states.
The advantage: one Schengen visa covers all 29 countries. You do not need separate visas for each country you visit — apply once through a single embassy or VFS Global centre and travel freely across the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days.
Schengen Visa Requirements for Indians
Incomplete documentation is the most common reason for rejection. Make sure you have all of the following before your appointment:
- Valid Indian passport — must have at least 6 months validity beyond your planned departure from Europe (stricter than the standard Schengen requirement), issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages. Bring any old passports showing previous visas and travel history.
- Completed visa application form — available on the relevant embassy website or the VFS Global portal. Must be printed and signed.
- Two recent passport photographs — taken within the last 3 months, ICAO-compliant (white background, no glasses).
- Round-trip flight itinerary — confirmed reservations with dates and flight numbers. You do not need to purchase tickets before applying — most embassies accept provisional bookings.
- Proof of accommodation — hotel bookings, rental agreements, or a signed invitation letter from a host in Europe.
- Travel insurance — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen countries for your entire stay, including emergency medical and repatriation.
- Proof of financial means — bank statements from the last 3–6 months. As a general guide, ₹1.5–2.5 lakhs per person is considered adequate for a 7–10 day trip; ₹3–5 lakhs for longer trips. The key is showing consistent, stable savings — not sudden large deposits.
- Cover letter — explaining the purpose of your visit, your day-by-day itinerary, and why you will return to India.
- Proof of ties to India — employment letter, business registration, property documents, or family ties. This is critical — embassies want to be confident you will return home.
Additional documents may be required depending on your purpose of travel: an employer’s letter and invitation from a European company for business visits; proof of enrolment for students; for retired applicants, pension statements or other income proof.
🛡️ Travel Insurance Is Required for Your Visa Application
Schengen embassies require proof of travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical coverage. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance meets the requirement and covers the entire Schengen Area.
Get Schengen-Compliant Insurance →How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from India (Step by Step)
Need Help With Your Schengen Visa Application?
iVisa guides you through the document checklist, application form, and submission process — so nothing gets missed.
Start Your Application →Which Countries Does a Schengen Visa Cover?
One Schengen visa covers all 29 Schengen member states. You can travel freely between them without additional border checks.
Countries Not Covered by Your Schengen Visa
| Country | What Indians Need |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | UK Standard Visitor Visa (separate application required) |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Irish visa (separate application required) |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Cyprus visa (accepts valid Schengen visa holders) |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | e-Visa available online |
The 90/180-Day Rule for Indians
Your Schengen visa limits you to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across all 29 Schengen countries combined — not 90 days per country. Days in the UK, Ireland, or Turkey do not count toward your Schengen total.
Use our free Schengen Calculator to track your days. For a full explanation see our 90/180-Day Rule Guide.
Indians With EU Citizenship or Residency
India does not permit dual nationality in most cases. However, if you hold an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card and a passport from an EU or Schengen country — for example, a German or Dutch passport — you should enter Europe on your EU passport. EU passport holders do not require a Schengen visa and have no 90-day limit.
If you are an Indian national residing in Europe on a valid residence permit, you may already have the right to travel within the Schengen Area — check the specific conditions of your permit.
Plan Your Europe Trip
Check entry requirements, currency, transport, and country guides for every destination in Europe.
Use Europe Travel Planner →📱 Stay Connected in Europe
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See our guide to the Best eSIMs for Europe in 2026 for a full comparison of plans and providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Europe?
Yes. As of March 2026, Indian passport holders require a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) before entering any Schengen country. Apply through the relevant embassy or VFS Global centre in India.
Does ETIAS apply to Indians?
No. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationalities only. India is not on the EU visa-exempt list — a full Schengen visa is required instead.
How much does a Schengen visa cost from India?
The standard fee is €80 (~₹7,200) for adults. Children aged 6–11 pay €40 (~₹3,600). Children under 6 are free. VFS Global service charges are additional and vary by country.
How long does a Schengen visa take to process from India?
The official processing time is up to 15 working days, but embassies can take longer during peak season. Apply at least 30–45 days before your travel date. You can apply up to 6 months in advance.
How much bank balance do I need for a Schengen visa from India?
There is no officially fixed amount, but as a general guide: ₹1.5–2.5 lakhs per person for a 7–10 day trip, and ₹3–5 lakhs for longer trips. What matters most is consistent savings — not sudden large deposits made just before applying.
Which embassy do I apply to if visiting multiple countries?
Apply to the embassy of the Schengen country where you will spend the most time. If your time is equally split, apply at the country of first entry.
Can I visit the UK on a Schengen visa?
No. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area. Indians need a separate UK Standard Visitor Visa to enter the UK.
What are the most common reasons Indians are refused a Schengen visa?
The most frequent reasons are: insufficient or unstable bank balance, incomplete documentation, a weak cover letter, no strong ties to India, and mismatches between bookings and stated itinerary. A thorough, consistent application significantly improves your chances.
Can I get a multiple-entry Schengen visa from India?
Yes. Multiple-entry visas are increasingly granted to applicants with a clean travel history and well-documented applications. They allow unlimited trips within the visa’s validity period, subject to the 90-day limit per 180 days.
📚 Related Articles
- How to Apply for a Schengen Visa — Complete step-by-step guide
- Schengen Visa vs. ETIAS — What’s the difference?
- ETIAS 2026: Complete Guide — What ETIAS is and who it affects
- Schengen 90/180 Day Rule Explained
- Free Schengen Calculator
- Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES)
- Best Travel Insurance for Europe in 2026 — Required for all Schengen visa applications
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