Schengen Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Planning a trip to Europe from India? Before you start daydreaming about gondola rides in Venice, café hopping in Paris, or trekking in the Alps, there’s one thing you need to do first: get a Schengen visa. This single visa allows you to travel in European nations without having additional permissions. However, before you commit to your plans, you must understand how the visa works, what documents you will need, the validity of the Schengen visa for Indians and any such important information.

Here are the documents you need while applying for a Schengen visa:

General Schengen Visa Documents

• 

• Schengen visa application fully completed and signed.
• The passport should be valid for at least 6 more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen area and must have two blank pages.
• 2 recent passport photos taken within the last 3 months.
• Round trip reservation or itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area.
• A travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency for the whole Schengen territory.
• A document that shows proof of accommodation and where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Schengen.
• Leave letter from your company (if employed).
• NOC from your school or university if you’re a student.
• Proof of civil status, including marriage certificate and birth certificate
• Proof of financial means, as evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen
  • 6 Months Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
  • Sponsorship Letter – A sponsorship letter for a Schengen visa must be provided by a valid sponsor confirming their financial support for your trip. To be considered valid, the letter must be accompanied by the sponsor’s bank statement, which should not be older than three months.
    Only immediate family members (blood relatives) or your employer are eligible to sponsor your Schengen visa application.
  • Payslips from the past 6 months or employment contract if you are an employee.
  • A copy of your business license and company bank statement for the latest 6 months if you are self-employed 
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Form 16 (Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary)
  • Proof of paid Schengen visa fee

• Proof of paid visa fee
• Proof of paid Schengen visa fee
• For retirees
  • Pension statement for the last 6 months.
• If unemployed and married to an EU citizen
  • Spouse’s valid passport
  • An official marriage certificate
  • Confirmation of Employment letter (not older than 3 months) from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date.

Schengen Visa Documents for Minors

If you are the legal guardian or parent of a minor applying for a Schengen visa, you will need to submit further documentation. These documents include:

• The minor’s birth certificate
• Application form signed by both parents
• Family court order if only one parent has full custody of the child
• Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents
• A notarized parental authorization signed by both parents/guardians if the minor will be traveling alone.

*Note the list of documents is changeable and the consular office can ask for more necessary documents.

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

Here are the key photo requirements you need to follow during your Schengen visa application process.

• Two identical photos. No more than six months old.
• The dimensions of the photo are 35 mm by 45 mm.
• It should be a coloured photo, not black and white.
• The head should take up 70-80% of the image.
• The background should be light. It is suggested that you use light grey. No patterns.
• The applicant should look directly at the camera.
• A neutral look on the face. Closed mouth and no smile.
• Do not use uniforms or colours that match the background

Schengen Visa Countries List

Austria	Belgium	Bulgaria	Croatia
Czechia	Denmark	Estonia	Finland
France	Germany	Greece	Hungary
Iceland	Italy	Latvia	Liechtenstein
Lithuania	Luxembourg	Malta	Netherlands
Norway	Poland	Portugal	Romania
Slovakia	Slovenia	Spain	Sweden
Switzerland	–	–	–

What if You Want to Extend Your Schengen Visa?

Typically, Schengen Visas cannot be extended mid-trip, except in exceptional cases such as:

• A serious medical condition requiring hospitalisation
• An unforeseen, compelling reason beyond your control

Generally, you’ll need to leave the Schengen Area for a longer stay and reapply for a new visa to continue your visit.

Is there a visa on arrival for Indians in Europe? 

No, a visa on arrival for an Indian passport is still not available for any European countries. However, you can apply for a Schengen visa online and easily visit most European countries.

List of Schengen Visa Embassy and Consulates in India

In India, you can apply for a Schengen visa at either a VFS Global application center or directly at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country you wish to visit:

• VFS Global Centers: VFS Global has centres in cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
• Embassies and Consulates: Most Schengen countries have embassies in New Delhi and consulates in major cities. For instance, the Consulate General of France in Mumbai handles applications from residents of Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and other regions.
• Estonian Embassy in New Delhi: Non-Indian citizens who have resided and worked in India for over a year may apply for a Schengen visa at the Estonian Embassy in New Delhi.

Schengen Visa and Travel Insurance

So, now that you know you need travel insurance to get a Schengen visa, look for a plan that covers everything that could go wrong while you are abroad, not just medical costs. For a budget-friendly option, check out Acko Travel Insurance for Schengen visa to cover accidents, illnesses or medical emergencies. It will also cover you if you lose your passport, money for your trip, and a lot of other things.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to the Schengen visa application for Indians.t of common questions and answers related to Schengen visa application for Indians.

Validity of Different Types of Schengen Visas for Indians

The Schengen visa allows you to travel to the Schengen Area for 90 days. This visa is valid for a period of 6 months. If you’re planning several trips to and from the Schengen Area, you can apply for the Schengen Multiple Entry visa.

Schengen Visa Processing Time in India

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa application is 15 days. However, this may extend up to 45 days if additional review or supporting documents are needed for a more thorough assessment