From history buffs and art lovers to business professionals and aspiring students, Europe's charm, thriving industries, and renowned universities draw travellers from around the world. Indian travellers are no exception, eager to experience this exciting continent for countless reasons.
One important step in the process is understanding the Schengen visa. Often misunderstood, the Schengen visa isn't a visa for all of Europe, but it opens doors to exciting European destinations within a specific region. This in-depth guide, designed specifically for Indian travelers, walks you through the application process, ensuring a smooth journey towards exploring the wonders of Europe's Schengen Area.
The Schengen (Schengen pronunciation - Shen-ghen) is the world’s largest free travel area. Covering most of Europe, the Schengen allows passport-free travel between all countries that are within the zone thanks to the Schengen agreement. Located in the country of Luxembourg, the Schengen agreement was signed on a houseboat in a river near the town of Schengen. And hence, the Schengen meaning is just from the name of the town.
Consider the Schengen Area as Europe's passport-free zone. The Schengen area is an area encompassing 29 European countries. It's a significant achievement, letting people move freely within a large group of European countries. Think of it like travelling between states in a country, without the hassle of border checks.
This all began in 1985 with just five countries. Now, it's grown into the world's largest free travel area! The name "Schengen" comes from the town in Luxembourg where the original agreement was signed.
A Schengen visa allows you to move freely between Schengen countries. Countries work together to maintain secure external borders called the Schengen Borders Code, which contains all the rules.
A short-stay Schengen visa allows eligible travellers to visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the territorial validity, validity dates, number of entries and authorised duration of stay stated on the visa. The visa allows travel within the Schengen Area subject to the validity dates, territorial validity, number of entries and authorised duration of stay stated on the visa. The visa allows you to enter the Schengen states for various purposes such as tourism, business, study, etc.
Note that if you have to stay for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a National visa of the particular country instead of the Schengen visa.
The Schengen countries are a list of nations that take part in the Schengen agreement and allow people to move freely without having to go through passport or border control. 29 countries are a part of the Schengen. The Schengen visa countries include 25 countries that are a part of the EU (European Union) and 4 non-EU countries that are a part of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). The Schengen visa countries list is as follows -
The Schengen Area comprises 29 countries. Bulgaria and Romania joined on 31 March 2024, when internal
air and sea border checks were lifted. Internal land-border checks were lifted on 1 January 2025,
completing their full participation.
Note that the states of Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, despite not being officially a part of the Schengen, have open-borders with the Schengen zone.
Also, note that the following countries, despite not being a part of the Schengen zone, will allow entry with a multiple-entry Schengen visa -
Type C short-stay visa: For short visits, including tourism, family visits or business, within the permitted stay shown on the visa and a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Transit involving entry into the Schengen Area is covered by the short-stay Type C rules. Travellers who require a visa for entry must hold the appropriate valid visa. A Type A airport transit visa does not permit entry into Schengen territory.
Types of entries on a Type C visa:
A Type A airport transit visa, where required, permits transit only through an airport's international transit area and does not permit entry into the Schengen Area. Requirements for Indian passport holders depend on the transit country, route and applicable exemptions. Check the relevant country's official instructions before travel.
A route involving a flight between two Schengen airports generally requires entry into Schengen territory; check the short-stay Type C requirements for that case.
National long-stay visa (Type D): A national visa issued by an individual country for stays exceeding 90 days, such as certain study, work or residence purposes. Eligibility and application procedures depend on the country concerned.
It can be issued in single-entry or multiple-entry formats with rules determined by the specific country.
Europe remains a top destination for Indian travelers, with millions visiting each year. Switzerland, Italy, and Spain are especially popular. However, since India doesn't have a visa-free arrangement with any Schengen country, a Schengen visa is a must for travel.
Fortunately, most Schengen countries have embassies in India that issue these visas. In cases where a country lacks an embassy, you can often apply through the embassy of a partner nation. For example, if you're traveling to Liechtenstein, you'd apply through a Swiss embassy in New Delhi.
Did you know? The number of Schengen visas issued to Indians has skyrocketed! In 2021, 130,427 visas were issued, and that number increased to a whopping 671,928 in 2022.
The process of applying for a Schengen visa involves several steps. In fact, it also depends on the particular embassy as well. However, the general steps involved in the Schengen visa application are as follows -
Fingerprints first entered into the Visa Information System (VIS) less than 59 months before the new application can normally be reused. The consulate can require fresh fingerprints where necessary, including when there is reasonable doubt about identity. Follow the consulate’s attendance and photograph instructions.
After your successful application, you may pick up the passport with the visa stamp directly from the embassy/consulate/VAC, or have the VAC deliver it to you for an additional charge.
As per the Schengen visa requirements, to be able to obtain a Schengen visa, the following are the general Schengen visa documents required for an Indian passport holder. However, based on the exact country applying to, as well as the purpose of the visit, there are additional specific documents.
Standard Schengen visa fee: applicants aged 12 and above — €90; children aged 6 to below 12 — €45; children under 6 — no visa fee. Other fee waivers or reductions may apply to eligible applicants. Visa application centre service charges may be additional. Check the responsible consulate or its authorised provider for the current amount payable in local currency.
An admissible Schengen visa application is normally decided within 15 calendar days from the date it is lodged. This period may extend to a maximum of 45 calendar days in individual cases requiring further scrutiny. Appointment availability and passport-return time are additional and should be allowed for separately.
Unless exempt, applicants for a uniform Schengen visa need travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover for emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment and repatriation, including in the event of death. It must be valid throughout the Schengen Area and for the entire intended stay. For a multiple-entry application, provide proof covering the first intended visit and acknowledge that valid insurance is needed for subsequent stays.
Here are some of the approved list of Indian travel insurance companies of the consular posts of schengen states:
Buy your Schengen Travel Insurance with us. We advise visa applicants only travel medical insurance issued by Indian insurance companies that are accepted for Schengen visa procedure.
Multiple-entry Schengen visas may be issued with validity of up to five years, depending on the applicable rules and the applicant’s circumstances. The standard progression has 1-, 2- and 5-year stages; other validity periods can also be issued in justified cases. Indian nationals residing and applying in India have adapted rules. Visa validity is separate from permitted stay: short stays remain subject to the 90-days-in-any-180-days limit.
Indian nationals residing in India and applying in India can qualify for a two-year multiple-entry Schengen visa after obtaining and lawfully using two visas within the previous three years, provided the applicable entry conditions are met. The standard five-year stage requires a previously obtained and lawfully used two-year multiple-entry visa within the previous three years. Passport validity and individual circumstances can limit the duration; approval and the full requested validity are not guaranteed. Where visa validity would exceed passport validity, the decision requires it to end three months before passport expiry.
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