Schengen Visitor Visa from India: Rules, Documents and Where to Apply

Reviewed by Karandeep Singh, Director, Visa Connection · Published 13 September 2026

A Schengen visa lets you visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, costs €90 for an adult, and must be lodged at least 15 days and no more than 6 months before you travel. The rules below are taken from the European Commission’s official Schengen visa page; individual consulates add their own document requirements on top.

Which countries does one Schengen visa cover?

The Schengen area includes most EU countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Austria and others) plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. One visa allows travel across all of them within your permitted days. Ireland and the UK are not in Schengen and need their own visas. Cyprus, a popular study destination for our clients, is an EU member but is not yet applying Schengen rules in full — check with the Cyprus consulate before assuming a Schengen visa is enough.

Where do you apply if you are visiting more than one country?

• Visiting one country: apply at that country’s consulate (or its visa application centre)
• Visiting several countries: apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time
• Equal stays in several countries: apply at the consulate of the first country you enter
• You must apply in the country where you legally live — for Punjab residents that means the consulate or centre covering North India

Getting this right matters: the EU rules decide which consulate may handle your file.

What documents are needed?

• A passport valid for at least 3 months after the date you leave the Schengen area (for multiple-entry visas, 3 months after your last departure)
• The visa application form
• A photo meeting ICAO standards
• Medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the whole trip
• Evidence of the purpose of the visit (invitation from family, hotel bookings, itinerary), your financial means, your accommodation, and your intention to return to India
• Your fingerprints are collected when you submit (with limited exemptions)

Consulates may ask for additional documents. For family visits, a properly written invitation from your relative in Europe matters — see our invitation letter guidance.

Parents visiting family: what the host provides, country by country

Each country’s embassy publishes its own checklist for a visit to family or friends. The host’s part differs, so check the one for the country you will visit. (Checked on the official pages on 29 September 2026; rules can change.)

Before you start, go through our free parents’ visa checklist (web page and 1-page PDF).

• Germany — an original signed invitation letter from the family member, with their address and contact details, the dates of the stay and proof of their legal residence. A Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) is listed “if provided”, so it is not always required. Travel medical insurance must cover at least EUR 30,000. The checklist says apply no later than 15 working days before travel; the German missions’ visa FAQ advises applying at least three weeks ahead and says an application for travel within 15 calendar days of reaching the visa section is normally returned. German Missions in India checklist
• Portugal — a hotel booking or a termo de responsabilidade (the host’s term of responsibility). A host who is not Portuguese must also show their legal status in Portugal. Portugal visa portal
• Italy — the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi covers Punjab and Chandigarh. Applications are submitted by appointment at the VFS centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar (3rd floor, Aman Plaza, Nakodar Chowk). Check the current checklist for visiting family and friends on the official VFS Global site before the host prepares anything (checked 30 September 2026).

Other countries follow in our guide as we check each official page.

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

• €90 for adults; €45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6
• Visa application centres (such as VFS) charge a separate service fee on top
• Normal processing is 15 days; it can be extended to 45 days if the consulate needs a closer look or more documents
• Apply as early as the 6-month window allows — appointment slots in peak season fill up

Single-entry or multiple-entry?

A single-entry visa lets you enter the Schengen area once; a multiple-entry visa allows several visits for as long as it is valid. Consulates generally grant longer multiple-entry visas to applicants with a clean travel history, so a first application is often single-entry. Either way, the 90-in-180 limit still applies to your total stay.

If you are refused

The consulate must tell you why the visa was refused and how to appeal. Read the refusal ground carefully before re-applying — the same file lodged again usually gets the same answer. Our refusal case review looks at the stated ground and what the next file must change.

Frequently asked questions

For document preparation and submission support on European visits, see our Schengen visitor visa service.

Official source: European Commission — Applying for a Schengen visa.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Visa decisions are made only by the respective embassy or immigration authority; rules, fees and figures change frequently — we confirm current requirements during your consultation. Last reviewed: September 2026.