Multiple Entry Schengen Visa for Indian Citizens: How to Get One

Indian citizens can apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa that permits unlimited travel into the Schengen Area for the entire validity period of the visa – whether that is one year, three years, or five years – subject to the 90-day-in-any-180-day rule. In 2024, the European Commission introduced simplified rules specifically for Indian nationals, reducing the visa history required to qualify for a two-year multiple entry visa. This guide walks through every step of the application process, from confirming eligibility to attending your biometric appointment and collecting your visa.

Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Eligibility Criteria

The consulate you apply through decides whether to grant a single-entry or multiple entry visa. Understanding what they look for – before you invest time in the application – saves you from avoidable rejections.

Under the 2024 European Commission rules, Indian nationals who have been issued and have lawfully used at least two Schengen visas within the three years preceding their application are eligible for a two-year multiple entry visa. This is a significant relaxation from the previous requirement of three visas.

For a one-year multiple entry visa, you generally need to demonstrate at least one previous Schengen visa used lawfully. For three-year and five-year validity, you need progressively stronger travel histories showing full compliance on prior multiple entry visas.

Even without prior Schengen visa history, consulates can grant a multiple entry visa at their discretion if your application demonstrates a credible, recurring need – such as regular business travel, family ties in Europe, or academic commitments.

Step 2: Identify the Correct Consulate to Apply Through

Applying at the wrong consulate is one of the most common procedural errors. The rules for which consulate to use are specific and enforced.

If you are visiting a single Schengen country, apply at that country's consulate or visa application center in India. If you are visiting multiple countries, apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the most nights. If your time is equally split across multiple countries, apply at the consulate of the first country you will enter.

The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, and Switzerland. Most Indian applicants go through VFS Global or BLS International, which are the authorized visa application centers for the majority of Schengen member states in India.

Book your appointment as far in advance as possible. Appointment slots at major city centers – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai – fill up weeks or months ahead, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Step 3: Gather Your Required Documents

A complete, well-organized document package is the single most controllable factor in a successful application. Missing or inconsistent documents are the leading cause of rejection and delay.

Core Documents Required

The standard document set for Indian applicants applying for a multiple entry Schengen visa includes:

1. Completed and signed Schengen visa application form (one per applicant)
2. Two recent passport-size photographs meeting Schengen photo specifications (white background, matte or glossy paper, taken within the last six months)
3. Valid passport with at least three months' validity beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Area – for multiple entry visas, at least three months after your last planned departure
4. Photocopies of all previously used passports containing prior Schengen visa stamps (critical for multiple entry eligibility)
5. Travel insurance covering the entire period of planned travel, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation
6. Proof of civil status – marriage certificate, birth certificate if applying with dependents
7. Proof of financial means – recent bank statements for the past three to six months, typically showing a minimum balance consistent with your planned travel duration

Employment and Financial Documentation

Salaried employees should provide their latest payslips (past three months), an employer letter confirming leave approval and intent to return, and income tax returns. Self-employed applicants need business registration documents, CA-certified financials, and bank statements. Students require enrollment certificates and a letter of financial sponsorship if applicable.

The full Schengen document checklist breaks down requirements by applicant type and covers consulate-specific variations that the standard list does not capture.

Step 4: Obtain a Flight Itinerary for Your Application

Embassies and consulates require proof of your intended travel route at the time of application. This creates a practical problem for Indian applicants applying for a multiple entry visa: your exact travel dates across multiple future trips may not be finalized, yet the consulate requires a flight itinerary as part of the document set.

Purchasing a fully confirmed flight ticket before visa approval exposes you to real financial risk. If the visa is refused, delayed, or granted with different validity dates than expected, you may lose hundreds of dollars in non-refundable airfare. That risk is why a flight itinerary reservation for visa – rather than a confirmed ticket – is the standard approach used by applicants worldwide.

A flight itinerary reservation is a real booking in an airline's reservation system, issued with a valid PNR (Passenger Name Record) number that embassies can verify through the airline's reservation database. It is not a confirmed ticket and does not require payment for the flight itself. ProvisionalBooking.com has issued over 60,000 flight itineraries across 190+ countries, with PDF delivery in under 60 seconds for one-way ($15) and round-trip ($19) itineraries. For multi-destination applications involving visits to multiple Schengen countries, a multi-city itinerary is available for a flat fee of $25.

Embassies do verify flight reservations. A PNR verification check confirms whether the booking exists in the airline's system – which is why using a legitimate reservation service matters. A fabricated itinerary with no verifiable PNR will fail that check and result in rejection on grounds of document fraud.

Step 5: Arrange Proof of Accommodation

Alongside your flight itinerary, the consulate needs to see where you plan to stay during each leg of your travel. For multiple entry applications covering future trips, this document can be a hotel reservation rather than a fully paid booking.

An instant hotel reservation for visa provides a confirmed reservation confirmation without requiring payment of the full hotel stay – the same practical logic that applies to flight itineraries. The reservation is issued with a real booking reference and is accepted by Schengen embassies as proof of accommodation.

If you are staying with friends or family in Europe, a notarized letter of invitation from the host – along with a copy of their residency permit or passport – serves as the accommodation document in place of a hotel booking.

Step 6: Calculate the Visa Fee and Prepare Payment

The standard Schengen visa fee for Indian adult applicants is €90 (approximately ₹8,000–₹8,200 depending on exchange rates at the time of payment). Children aged six to twelve are charged €45. Children under six are exempt.

Fee payments are made at the time of appointment submission, either at the visa application center directly or, for some consulates, through an online payment portal prior to the appointment. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

The total cost of a Schengen visa also includes the VFS or BLS service fee (typically ₹1,500–₹2,500 depending on the country and city), any courier or document return service fees, and the cost of supporting documents such as your flight itinerary, hotel reservation, and travel insurance.

Step 7: Submit Your Application and Attend the Biometric Appointment

Submit your application no earlier than six months before your intended travel date and no later than 15 days before departure. For a multiple entry visa application – especially one seeking a two-year or longer validity – applying earlier gives the consulate more time to process the case without pressure.

At the biometric appointment, the visa application center will collect your fingerprints and a digital photograph. These biometrics are stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) and are checked at border entry. If you submitted biometrics for a Schengen visa within the past 59 months, some consulates may waive the re-collection requirement – confirm this with your specific consulate before your appointment.

Bring the original versions of every document you submitted, along with one complete photocopy set. Application center staff will check documents against your form and may flag discrepancies on the spot.

What Happens After Submission

Standard processing time for a Schengen visa from India is 15 calendar days. Complex cases, high-volume periods, and applications requiring additional security checks can extend this to 30 or 45 days. The typical processing timeline from submission to decision varies by consulate, country, and season – Germany and France tend to have longer queues than smaller Schengen states.

You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection or return by courier. Check the visa sticker carefully upon receipt: confirm the visa type is listed as "MULT" (multiple entry), verify the validity dates, and ensure your name matches your passport exactly.

Step 8: Understand the 90/180-Day Rule Before You Travel

A multiple entry Schengen visa does not grant unlimited days inside the Schengen Area. The 90/180-day rule applies throughout the visa's validity: you may spend a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.

This is a cumulative calculation across the entire Schengen Zone, not per country. Spending 60 days in Italy and then entering France the same year counts toward the same 90-day allowance. Overstaying – even unintentionally – can result in a ban on future Schengen entry and jeopardize your eligibility for future visas.

The European Commission's short-stay calculator helps you track your remaining authorized days for each trip. Use it before every entry to avoid inadvertently triggering an overstay.

FAQ

Do Indian Citizens Automatically Get a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa?

Indian citizens do not automatically receive a multiple entry Schengen visa. The type of visa granted – single entry, double entry, or multiple entry – is at the consulate's discretion based on the applicant's travel history, purpose, and documentation. Under 2024 European Commission rules, Indian nationals who have lawfully used at least two Schengen visas in the past three years are eligible for a two-year multiple entry visa, but eligibility does not guarantee issuance.

What Is the Difference Between a One-Year and a Five-Year Multiple Entry Schengen Visa?

A one-year multiple entry Schengen visa is valid for 12 months and allows unlimited entries into the Schengen Area within that period, subject to the 90/180-day rule. A five-year visa offers the same unlimited entry rights but across 60 months. Five-year visas are issued to applicants who demonstrate an extended history of lawful use of prior multiple entry visas. Both visa types enforce the same 90-day limit per 180-day rolling period.

Can I Apply for a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa If It Is My First Application?

Yes, but approval for a multiple entry visa on a first Schengen application is uncommon. Most first-time applicants receive a single-entry visa. Building a track record – applying, traveling lawfully, and returning home as required – is the most reliable path to qualifying for a multiple entry visa on subsequent applications.

Do I Need a Confirmed Flight Ticket or Just an Itinerary for the Schengen Application?

A confirmed flight ticket is not required. Schengen embassies accept a verifiable flight itinerary reservation with a valid PNR number in lieu of a fully paid ticket. Buying a confirmed ticket before visa approval is financially risky; if the visa is denied or issued with different dates, the ticket may be non-refundable.

What Happens If My Multiple Entry Schengen Visa Application Is Rejected?

A rejection must be accompanied by written reasons, and you have the right to appeal. Common rejection grounds include insufficient financial proof, incomplete documentation, insufficient travel history, and inability to demonstrate ties to India that ensure return. The Schengen visa rejection and appeal process allows you to submit additional evidence or correct deficiencies in the original application. One rejection does not permanently bar future applications.

How Far in Advance Should I Apply for a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa From India?

Apply as early as possible – the maximum lead time is six months before your first planned travel date. Given appointment scarcity at VFS and BLS centers in major Indian cities, booking your biometric appointment two to three months in advance is advisable. Applying with at least 30–45 days before departure ensures enough processing time to handle any requests for additional documents.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa?

Yes. Travel insurance is a mandatory document for every Schengen visa application, including multiple entry visas. The policy must cover the entire period of your first planned trip into the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation including in the event of death. The insurance must be valid in all 29 Schengen countries, not just your primary destination.

What to Do Now

1. Check your Schengen visa history and confirm which multiple entry validity tier you qualify for under the 2024 European Commission rules.
2. Identify the correct consulate based on your primary destination country or longest stay.
3. Book your VFS or BLS biometric appointment as early as possible – slots fill weeks or months ahead.
4. Gather your document package: passport, photographs, bank statements, employer letter, travel insurance, accommodation proof, and flight itinerary.
5. Verify your 90/180-day allowance before each trip using the short-stay calculator to avoid overstay violations.

For the flight itinerary your consulate requires, get your provisional booking from ProvisionalBooking.com – delivered to your inbox in under 60 seconds, with a verifiable PNR, at $15 for one-way or $19 for round-trip.