Schengen Visa Fee for Indian Citizens: Current Charges and Payment Methods

The Schengen visa fee for Indian citizens is €90 per adult applicant as of June 2024, when the European Union revised the standard rate upward from €80. This fee applies uniformly across all 29 Schengen member countries, regardless of which consulate processes the application. The official embassy fee is, however, only one part of the total cost: visa application centre service charges, travel insurance, and supporting documents push the real out-of-pocket figure to approximately ₹11,000–₹16,000 per person. Understanding the full cost breakdown before you apply protects you from surprises at the counter and from having to pay again if an avoidable error triggers a rejection.

Overview: What Indian Citizens Pay for a Schengen Visa

The Schengen visa fee structure for Indian applicants has three distinct layers: the official embassy fee set by the European Union, the service charge levied by the visa application centre (most commonly VFS Global), and the cost of mandatory supporting documents such as travel insurance and a flight itinerary.

The official fee is fixed and uniform across all Schengen states. A German embassy, a French consulate, and an Italian visa centre charge the same base rate. What varies by country and by city is the VFS service charge and any add-on services you select at the centre.

The complete Schengen visa document checklist covers every item embassies require, but from a cost perspective, the three fees that every Indian applicant must budget for are the official visa fee, the VFS service charge, and Schengen-compliant travel insurance covering at least €30,000.

Schengen Visa Fee Breakdown for Indian Citizens

Official Embassy Fee

Applicant Category	Fee in Euros	Approximate INR
Adults (13 and above)	€90	₹8,100–₹9,900*
Children aged 6–12	€45	₹4,000–₹5,000*
Children under 6	€0	₹0

*INR equivalent varies by the exchange rate in effect on the day of payment at the consulate or VFS centre.

The official fee is collected at the end of your visa appointment, not at the time of booking. It is non-refundable in all circumstances, including if the visa is refused.

VFS Global Service Charge

VFS Global processes Schengen visa applications for most European countries in India. The base VFS service charge ranges from approximately ₹1,800 to ₹2,800 depending on the destination country and city. Applicants who add services such as SMS tracking, courier passport return, premium lounge access, or form-filling assistance will pay more. A realistic total for VFS-related costs, including the essentials, is ₹2,500–₹5,500.

Travel Insurance

Schengen travel insurance must provide a minimum coverage of €30,000 and must be valid across the entire Schengen Area for the full duration of the trip. Insurance costs vary by provider, duration of stay, and applicant age, but Indian applicants typically pay between ₹700 and ₹2,500 for a short-stay policy.

Flight Itinerary

A flight itinerary for visa application is a required supporting document for Schengen applications. Embassies accept a provisional or reserved itinerary – applicants are not required to purchase a full, non-refundable ticket before visa approval. A verifiable flight reservation from ProvisionalBooking costs $15 for a one-way itinerary or $19 for round-trip, and is delivered as a PDF in under 60 seconds.

Fee Categories: Who Pays What

Standard Adult Applicants

Any Indian passport holder aged 13 or above pays the standard €90 official fee. This applies equally to tourist, business, family visit, and multiple-entry Schengen visas. The fee is the same whether you apply through the German embassy for a Germany Schengen visa, the French consulate for a France Schengen visa, or any other member state.

Children Aged 6 to 12

Children in this age group pay a reduced fee of €45, approximately ₹4,000–₹5,000 at current exchange rates. The child must be included on the application and their supporting documents – including a birth certificate – must accompany the submission.

Children Under 6

Children below the age of six are fully exempt from the Schengen visa fee. No official embassy charge applies, though they must still appear on the application with the appropriate documents.

Fee Waivers and Reduced-Fee Categories

Certain categories of Indian applicants may qualify for a fee waiver or reduction under EU regulations:

• Students and researchers enrolled in EU-funded academic programs
• Individuals under 25 representing non-profit organizations at cultural, sports, or educational events
• Close family members of EU or EEA nationals traveling to accompany them
• Official government representatives traveling on a diplomatic or service passport

Eligibility for waivers must be verified with the specific consulate. The VFS service charge applies regardless of whether the embassy fee is waived.

Total Cost Estimate for Indian Schengen Visa Applicants

Cost Component	Typical Range (INR)
Official embassy fee (adult)	₹8,100–₹9,900
VFS service charge	₹1,800–₹5,500
Travel insurance	₹700–₹2,500
Flight itinerary reservation	₹1,200–₹1,600
Passport photos, photocopies, etc.	₹200–₹600
Total per adult applicant	₹12,000–₹20,100

These figures represent the realistic total for most Indian applicants applying for a short-stay tourist or business visa. The embassy fee is the largest fixed cost; VFS add-ons and supporting document costs are the primary variables.

Payment Methods for Schengen Visa Fees in India

At the VFS Global Centre

The VFS service charge is paid at the time of appointment booking or at the centre, depending on which country you are applying through. The German Consulate General in Mumbai, for example, requires pre-payment of the VFS service charge at the time of booking. Payment at VFS centres is typically accepted by:

• Debit card or credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
• Demand draft in favour of VFS Global
• Cash (at some centres, for specific fee components)

Check the specific VFS India portal for your destination country, as accepted payment methods vary slightly by location and consulate.

At the Embassy or Consulate

The official €90 visa fee is paid at the end of your in-person appointment, not online. Most consulates accept payment in Indian Rupees at the exchange rate effective on the day of your appointment. Some embassies may also accept demand drafts made payable to the respective embassy. Cash and card acceptance varies by consulate; verify in advance.

For Supporting Documents

Flight itinerary reservations and hotel bookings for visa purposes are paid for separately, directly with the service provider. ProvisionalBooking, for example, accepts payment through a secure online checkout. Insurance is purchased directly through a travel insurance provider before the appointment.

Flight Itinerary: What Counts as Acceptable Proof

The Schengen Visa Code requires applicants to submit proof of travel arrangements but it does not require a fully purchased, non-refundable ticket. The relevant distinction is between a flight reservation and a confirmed ticket: a reservation demonstrates travel intent with a verifiable booking reference (PNR), while a confirmed ticket is a paid fare with seat allocation.

Embassies across Schengen member states accept flight itinerary reservations as valid proof of travel, provided the document includes:

• Passenger name matching the passport
• Flight numbers, dates, and routes
• A verifiable PNR or booking reference number
• Airline branding and confirmation format

Buying a non-refundable ticket before visa approval carries real financial risk. If the visa is refused, that cost is lost. A provisional flight itinerary reservation for visa application eliminates that risk entirely – applicants present a legitimate, verifiable document without committing hundreds of dollars to a flight they may not be permitted to take.

ProvisionalBooking has issued over 60,000 flight itineraries to applicants in more than 190 countries. Each reservation is delivered as a professional PDF in under 60 seconds, carrying a real PNR that can be verified on the airline's system.

Common Questions About the Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa Fee

A multiple-entry Schengen visa for Indian citizens carries the same official €90 fee as a single-entry visa. The fee category is determined by the applicant's age and status, not by the number of entries granted. Multiple-entry visas allow holders to enter and exit the Schengen Area multiple times within the validity period, subject to the 90-day rule within any 180-day window. The supporting documents and financial evidence requirements are more stringent for multiple-entry applications, but the fee paid to the embassy does not increase.

FAQs

What Is the Current Schengen Visa Fee for Indian Citizens in 2025?

The current Schengen visa fee for Indian citizens is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 are exempt from the fee entirely. This rate took effect in June 2024, when the EU revised it upward from the previous €80 standard. The fee applies uniformly across all 29 Schengen member states and is the same regardless of which consulate processes the application.

Is the Schengen Visa Fee Refundable If the Visa Is Rejected?

No. The Schengen visa fee is completely non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the application. If your visa is refused, the €90 official fee is forfeited. The VFS service charge is also non-refundable in most cases, though VFS has a limited refund policy for appointment cancellations made within a specific window. This non-refundable structure is one of the primary reasons applicants are advised not to purchase full flight tickets before receiving visa approval.

How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost in Total for an Indian Applicant?

The official embassy fee of €90 is only the starting point. When VFS service charges (₹1,800–₹5,500), Schengen-compliant travel insurance (₹700–₹2,500), a flight itinerary reservation ($15–$19), and incidental document costs are included, most Indian applicants spend between ₹12,000 and ₹20,100 per person. The total varies primarily based on destination country, city of application, and which VFS add-on services are selected.

Do Indian Citizens Need to Buy a Flight Ticket Before Applying for a Schengen Visa?

No. Embassies accept a provisional flight itinerary reservation in place of a purchased ticket. The reservation must include a verifiable booking reference, passenger name, route, dates, and flight numbers, but full payment for the flight is not required. Purchasing a non-refundable ticket before approval carries significant financial risk if the visa is refused. A provisional flight booking for visa costs $15–$19 and satisfies the embassy's travel document requirement without that risk.

Can I Pay the Schengen Visa Fee Online?

The official €90 embassy fee is not paid online – it is collected in person at the end of your visa appointment at the consulate or VFS centre. Some VFS service charges, however, are collected at the time of online appointment booking, depending on the destination country. Germany, for example, requires pre-payment of the VFS service charge in Mumbai when the appointment is booked. Check the VFS India portal for your specific destination country for current payment instructions.

What Happens If I Apply for a Hungary or Greece Schengen Visa – Is the Fee Different?

The official embassy fee is identical across all Schengen member states. A Hungary Schengen visa for Indian citizens carries the same €90 adult fee as a Greece Schengen visa from India. The only cost variation between countries comes from VFS service charges, which differ slightly by destination and city. The embassy fee itself is standardized by EU regulation.

Are There Any Schengen Visa Fee Waivers Available for Indian Citizens?

Yes, specific categories of Indian applicants may qualify for a full or partial fee waiver. Children under 6 pay nothing. Students and researchers in EU-funded academic programs may be exempt. Individuals under 25 representing non-profit organizations at cultural or educational events may also qualify for reduced fees. Close family members of EU or EEA nationals who are accompanying them to a Schengen country may be eligible for a waiver, depending on the member state. Each consulate determines eligibility based on the documentation provided at the time of application.

How Much Does a Flight Itinerary Reservation Cost for a Schengen Visa Application?

A one-way flight itinerary reservation costs $15 and a round-trip reservation costs $19. Multi-city itineraries are available for $25. Additional passengers on the same booking cost $15 extra per adult, $10 per child, and $5 per infant. The document is delivered as a PDF in under 60 seconds and includes a real, verifiable PNR number. The reservation satisfies Schengen consulate requirements for proof of travel arrangements without requiring the applicant to purchase a full flight ticket before visa approval.

Does the Schengen Visa Fee Cover Multiple Countries or Just One?

A Schengen short-stay visa permits entry to all 29 Schengen member states, not just the country of application. The €90 fee covers the right to travel throughout the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to the 90/180-day rule. Applicants should apply through the consulate of the country where they will spend the most nights, or the first country of entry if the stay is split equally.

Is the Hotel Reservation for a Schengen Visa Also Required Before Paying the Fee?

Yes. A hotel reservation or proof of accommodation is a standard supporting document required at the time of the Schengen visa appointment – the same appointment where you pay the official fee. Applicants are not required to pay for a full hotel stay in advance. An instant hotel reservation confirmation for visa purposes, without full payment or cancellation risk, is available through hotelforvisa.com for a $12 reservation fee.

The Bottom Line

The Schengen visa fee for Indian citizens is €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12, and zero for children under 6. That official fee is non-refundable and identical across all 29 Schengen member states. The real per-person cost, once VFS service charges, travel insurance, and required documents are included, typically falls between ₹12,000 and ₹20,100. Payment of the embassy fee happens in person at the appointment; VFS charges may be collected online at booking depending on the destination country. The single most controllable cost risk in the application is buying a non-refundable flight ticket before approval – a provisional flight itinerary reservation eliminates that risk while fully satisfying the embassy's travel document requirement.

Get Flight Itinerary from ProvisionalBooking – delivered as a visa-ready PDF in under 60 seconds, starting at $15.