The Schengen visa is the single biggest obstacle between most Indians and a European holiday. It’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of trip planning — there’s a lot of bad information out there, and the consequences of getting it wrong are significant.
We’ve applied for Schengen visas multiple times (from India before we moved to Spain, and helping family members apply). Here’s what we actually know.
What Is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that have abolished passport controls at their shared borders. One Schengen visa gets you into all of them.
Countries included: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Croatia.
Not Schengen: UK, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus. These require separate visas.
Which Country’s Embassy Do You Apply To?
Rule: Apply to the embassy of the country where you’ll spend the most nights.
If you’re spending 5 nights in France and 3 in Germany, apply to the French embassy. If you can’t decide (equal time), apply to the country of first entry.
Important: You must actually enter through the country whose visa you’re applying for if they’re the first country on your itinerary.
Types of Schengen Visa
For tourists, you need a Type C — Short Stay Visa, which allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is what 99% of Indian tourists need.
Documents Required
This list covers the core documents. Individual embassies may ask for additional items — always check the specific embassy’s website.
Identity & Travel Documents
- Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay; must have at least 2 blank pages)
- Copies of all previous visas
- Passport-size photos (Schengen specification: 35mm × 45mm, white background)
Travel Plan
- Confirmed return flight tickets (you can book refundable tickets — you don’t need to pay full fare at application time, but some embassies want proof of a reservation)
- Hotel bookings for entire stay (again, can be free-cancellation bookings)
- Day-by-day travel itinerary
Financial Documents
- Last 3–6 months’ bank statements (showing sufficient funds — general guideline is €50–100 per day of stay, though this varies)
- If employed: salary slips for last 3 months, and an employer letter stating your position, salary, and that you have approved leave
- If self-employed: ITR (Income Tax Return) for last 2–3 years, business registration documents
- If retired or a dependent: sponsor’s financial documents plus a sponsorship letter
Supporting Documents
- Travel insurance covering the entire Schengen trip, minimum €30,000 medical coverage
- Proof of accommodation for entire stay
- If you own property in India: property documents (helps demonstrate you have ties to India and intend to return)
How Far in Advance to Apply
Apply 3 months before your trip at the earliest (most embassies open applications 3 months before the travel date).
Apply at least 6–8 weeks before for a comfortable buffer. Some embassies — particularly the French and Italian consulates during peak summer — take 4–6 weeks to process.
Do not apply less than 3 weeks before your trip unless it’s an emergency.
The Most Common Rejection Reasons
Based on our experience helping people apply:
1. Insufficient funds demonstrated The bank statement needs to show that money is consistently there — not a large deposit made just before the statement was generated. Embassies look for stable, regular income patterns. A statement showing ₹5 lakh appearing suddenly three weeks ago looks suspicious.
2. No strong ties to India demonstrated The embassy needs to believe you’ll return. This means: stable employment, property ownership, family in India, or a business. Young single applicants without these things sometimes struggle. If this describes you, strengthen your application with an employer letter and evidence of life commitments in India.
3. Incomplete or inconsistent documents Your hotel bookings must match your itinerary. Your flight dates must match your visa request dates. Any inconsistency — even minor — raises flags.
4. Applying to the wrong embassy If your trip is 5 nights in France and 3 in Germany, and you apply to the German embassy, it’s grounds for rejection.
5. Previous visa violations If you overstayed a previous visa in any Schengen country, that’s recorded and will heavily affect future applications.
Travel Insurance: Don’t Skimp Here
Travel insurance is technically mandatory for Schengen visas, and embassies check that it covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses for the full duration of your trip.
We recommend Bajaj Allianz or HDFC ERGO for Schengen-compliant policies. Cost is typically ₹800–2,500 for a 2-week trip depending on age and coverage.
Don’t buy the cheapest one. If something goes wrong medically in Europe, you want proper coverage. Hospital costs there are genuinely frightening without insurance.
The VFS Global Appointment
Most Schengen embassies in India use VFS Global as an outsourced visa application centre. You’ll submit your documents and biometrics (fingerprints + photo) at a VFS centre, not at the embassy itself.
- Book a VFS appointment online at vfsglobal.com
- During peak summer season (April–June applications), appointments fill up fast — book as soon as you’re ready to apply
- VFS charges a service fee (~₹1,800–2,200) on top of the visa fee
- The visa fee itself is €90 (approximately ₹8,200–8,500)
After You Apply
Processing typically takes 10–15 working days from the date of document submission. Some embassies (Italian, French) can take 4–6 weeks during peak season.
You can track your application status via VFS Global’s tracking portal using your reference number.
If approved, your passport will be returned with a sticker visa showing:
- Valid from/until dates
- Number of entries allowed (single, double, or multiple)
- Number of days permitted within the Schengen area
Practical Tips
- Apply for multiple-entry if possible. Even if your current trip is short, a multiple-entry visa allows you to go back without reapplying.
- Be honest on your application. Embassies have seen every kind of application. Inconsistencies are spotted.
- Keep digital copies of everything you submit — if something goes wrong, you’ll need to resubmit quickly.
- Don’t book non-refundable flights before your visa is approved. Book refundable or changeable tickets for your visa application, then rebook once approved.
Confused about something specific? Our Personal Guide includes help with understanding the visa process for your specific trip. We can’t file the visa for you, but we can walk you through what you need.