Do Indians need a visa for Europe?

In most cases yes. Indian passport holders normally need a visa for Schengen countries and for non-Schengen European countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, although some destinations operate electronic visas or conditional exemptions. Always check the rule for your specific destination.

Which European countries use a Schengen visa?

29 destinations in this section are Schengen participants, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Nordic countries.

Which European countries are not in Schengen?

The United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus have their own systems, as do Türkiye, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Moldova.

How much does a Schengen visa cost for Indians?

The consular fee is €90 per applicant for adults and €45 per applicant for children aged 6–11 at the time of publication, with children below 6 exempt. The visa application centre service fee and any optional services are charged separately. Always verify the current fee schedule.

How long does a Schengen visa take in India?

Consulates commonly publish a decision within about 15 calendar days of an admissible application, which can extend to around 45 calendar days when further checks are needed. Apply early, especially in peak season.

What documents are required?

Typically a valid passport, the completed application form, biometric photographs, itinerary, flight and accommodation details, travel medical insurance, financial documents and employment or business proof. The exact checklist depends on the country and category.

How much bank balance is required?

There is no single universal figure. Consulates assess whether your funds are sufficient and consistent for the planned trip, based on published means-of-subsistence requirements for that country.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

For Schengen applications, travel medical insurance covering the Schengen territory for the duration of the stay is a standard requirement. Verify the current minimum cover for your destination.

Where can I give Schengen biometrics in India?

At the authorised visa application centre or consulate handling your destination. Available cities differ by country and category.

Do I need fresh biometrics every time?

Not always. Previously enrolled biometrics may be reusable within the period permitted under Schengen rules, but the consulate decides this for each application.

How early can I apply?

Schengen applications can generally be lodged up to 6 months before travel and must usually be submitted at least 15 calendar days before departure.

Which country's embassy should I apply through?

Apply to the country that is your main destination. If the stay is equal across several countries, check the applicable first-entry rule before submission.

Can I visit multiple countries with one Schengen visa?

Yes, subject to your visa's validity, entry type and the 90/180 rule.

Can I apply through France if I am mainly travelling to Italy?

No. You should apply to the consulate of your main destination, which in that example is Italy. Applying elsewhere for convenience can lead to refusal.

Can I get a multiple-entry Schengen visa?

Multiple-entry visas can be issued, and travel history plus the purpose of travel are taken into account. The entry type granted is decided by the consulate.

Can Visadesk guarantee visa approval?

No. Visa decisions are made exclusively by the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority. Visadesk Global provides visa application and documentation assistance but cannot guarantee approval.

Paris skyline and European travel at golden hour

Private visa assistanceLast verified: 20 September 2026

Europe Visa for Indians

Q: What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa is a uniform visa that generally allows eligible travellers to visit countries participating in the Schengen Area for short stays under the 90-days-in-any-180-day-period rule.

Explore Schengen & European Visa Requirements, Fees, Documents and Application Process for Indian Passport Holders

Europe does not have one universal visa covering every European country. Most short trips to the Schengen Area use a uniform Schengen short-stay visa, while destinations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Türkiye and Georgia run their own separate immigration systems, fees and application processes.

Find My Europe Visa Talk to a Visa Expert

Schengen destinations

29 countries

Non-Schengen destinations

13 countries

Submission cities in India

15+ cities

Start here

Which Europe visa do you actually need?

For Indian travellers the required visa depends on several factors, not just the continent you are flying to.

Destination country

Each country sets its own system: Schengen, EU-but-not-Schengen, or fully separate.

Countries being visited

A multi-country trip changes which mission is competent to decide your application.

Main destination

The country where you spend the longest part of the trip normally handles the application.

Duration of stay

Short stays use short-stay visas; longer stays usually require a national visa.

Purpose of travel

Tourism, business, family visit, study, work, medical treatment and events differ.

Applicant profile

Salaried, self-employed, student, retired or minor applicants submit different evidence.

Immigration rules in force

Rules, fees and provider arrangements change; the current official rule always applies.

Travel history

Previous travel and biometrics can affect entry type and biometric requirements.

Schengen Visa

One uniform short-stay visa issued by a participating country that generally allows travel across the Schengen Area under the 90-days-in-any-180-day-period rule. You apply to the country that is your main destination.

Country-Specific European Visas

Issued under a single country's own immigration law — for example the UK Standard Visitor visa, an Irish short-stay 'C' visa or a Türkiye electronic visa. These are not Schengen visas and are not interchangeable with one.

Visa approval is at the sole discretion of the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority. Visadesk Global LLP is a private visa assistance company. We are not an embassy, consulate, government department or official visa portal.

Schengen rules

Schengen Visa for Indians

A Schengen short-stay visa generally allows eligible travellers to visit countries participating in the Schengen Area for short stays under the applicable 90-days-in-any-180-day-period rule.

One Schengen visa does not mean applicants can choose whichever consulate seems easiest or fastest. The application must go to the correct mission under Schengen rules.

Applicants should generally apply to the country that is their main destination — the country where they will spend the longest part of the trip, or where the main purpose of the visit lies.

If the intended stay is equal across several countries, the applicable first-entry and main-destination rules should be checked carefully before submission.

Check Which Embassy/Consulate You Should Apply Through

Schengen participating destinations covered in this section
Country	Region	Visa type	Details
France	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Germany	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Netherlands	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Belgium	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Luxembourg	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Austria	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Switzerland	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Liechtenstein	Western Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Italy	Southern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Spain	Southern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Portugal	Southern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Greece	Southern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Malta	Southern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Denmark	Nordic Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Sweden	Nordic Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Norway	Nordic Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Finland	Nordic Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Iceland	Nordic Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Poland	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Czechia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Hungary	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Slovakia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Slovenia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Estonia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Latvia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Lithuania	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Croatia	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Bulgaria	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements
Romania	Central & Eastern Europe	Schengen short-stay (Type C)	View requirements

Tourist • Business • Visit

Visa type: Schengen short-stay visa (Uniform Type C)
Indicative processing: Consulates commonly publish a decision within about 15 calendar days of an admissible application
Government visa fee: €90 per applicant

View Requirements

View All Europe Visa Countries

Find my Europe visa

Search every Europe visa destination

Filter by region or search by country name to open a page with that country's own categories, documents, fees, processing time and submission centres in India.

42 destinations

France

Schengen visa

Tourism, business, family or friend visit, events and transit

Applicant	Government / consular visa fee
Adults	€90 per applicant
Children aged 6–11	€45 per applicant
Children below 6	Exempt from the consular fee
Other exemptions / reductions	Reductions and exemptions can apply to school pupils on study trips, researchers, representatives of non-profit youth organisations and other categories defined in the Visa Code.

Europe Visa for Indians

Which Europe visa do you actually need?

Destination country

Countries being visited

Main destination

Duration of stay

Purpose of travel

Applicant profile

Immigration rules in force

Travel history

Schengen Visa

Country-Specific European Visas

Schengen Visa for Indians

Most requested Europe visas from India

France Visa

Switzerland Visa

Italy Visa

Germany Visa

Spain Visa

Netherlands Visa

Search every Europe visa destination

Schengen visa fees for Indian applicants

Visa Application Centre fee

Optional services

Visadesk professional fee

Europe visa document checklist

Passport

Visa application

Photographs

Travel

Accommodation

Travel medical insurance

Financial documents

Employment / business

For minors

Step-by-step Europe visa process

Select destination

Determine the correct visa

Identify the correct consulate

Complete the application

Prepare documents

Book the appointment

Attend appointment & biometrics

Visa processing

Track the application

Receive passport / decision

Schengen visa biometrics in India

Visa application & biometric centres in India

Cities where European visa centres commonly operate

Top places to visit in Europe

Paris, France

Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Rome, Italy

Barcelona, Spain

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Santorini, Greece

Why choose Visadesk Global?

Visa Consultation

Document Assistance

Application Assistance

Appointment Assistance

Biometric Guidance

Travel Assistance

Europe visa questions from Indian travellers