Schengen Visa Fees for Indians 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown (Embassy + VFS + Insurance + Everything)
Quick Summary
Full Schengen visa cost breakdown for Indians in 2026: EUR 90 embassy fee, VFS charges, insurance, photos, add-ons, and realistic total budget.
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The Real Cost of a Schengen Visa from India in 2026
Ask anyone how much a Schengen visa costs and you will hear "EUR 90." That is technically correct -- and completely misleading. The embassy fee is just one part of the bill. By the time you add VFS Global's service charges, mandatory travel insurance, passport photos, courier fees, and the optional extras that half of applicants end up paying for, the actual out-of-pocket cost is significantly higher.
We process hundreds of Schengen visa applications every month at VisaBro, and the number one surprise for first-time applicants is the total cost. So let us break it down -- every single rupee -- so you know exactly what to budget before you start.
Embassy Visa Fee: The Base Cost
The European Commission sets a uniform visa fee that applies across all 29 Schengen member states. Whether you are applying for France, Germany, Italy, or any other Schengen country, the embassy fee is the same.
Since 11 June 2024, the fee structure is:
| Category | Embassy Fee (EUR) | Approximate INR (at EUR 1 = INR 106) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (12 years and above) | EUR 90 | INR 9,540 |
| Children (6-11 years) | EUR 45 | INR 4,770 |
| Children (under 6 years) | Free | Free |
Key things to know about the embassy fee:
- This fee is non-refundable. If your visa gets rejected, you do not get it back.
- It is the same whether you apply for a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa.
- The fee was hiked from EUR 80 to EUR 90 in June 2024 -- a 12.5% increase.
- Payment is typically in INR at the prevailing exchange rate on the day of your appointment.
Who Is Exempt from the Embassy Fee?
Not everyone has to pay. The following categories are exempt:
- Children under 6 years old
- School pupils, students, and postgraduate students travelling for educational purposes (some countries)
- Researchers travelling for scientific research
- Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under attending conferences or events
- Family members of EU/EEA citizens exercising free movement rights
- Diplomatic and service passport holders on official duty
If you fall into any of these categories, carry documentary proof to your appointment. The exemption is not automatic -- you need to demonstrate eligibility.
VFS Global Service Charges: The Hidden Cost That Keeps Rising
This is where things get interesting -- and expensive. Most Schengen countries in India outsource visa processing to VFS Global. You cannot walk into an embassy and submit your application directly; you have to go through VFS, and they charge a mandatory service fee on top of the embassy fee.
VFS Global revised its service charges in November 2025, and the fees vary significantly by country. Here is what you are paying in 2026:
VFS Service Fee by Country (India, 2026)
| Country | VFS Service Fee (INR) | Total with Embassy Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 610 | ~10,150 |
| Slovakia | 402 | ~9,942 |
| Czech Republic | 1,350 | ~10,890 |
| Germany | 1,933 | ~11,473 |
| France | 2,202 | ~11,742 |
| Netherlands | 2,350 | ~11,890 |
| Austria | 2,649 | ~12,189 |
| Switzerland | 2,690 | ~12,230 |
| Spain | 2,800 | ~12,340 |
| Portugal | 3,111 | ~12,651 |
Note: All VFS service charges are inclusive of GST (SGST 9% + CGST 9%). Fees may vary slightly between VFS centres in different Indian cities. Always confirm on the official VFS Global website for your specific country.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive VFS service fee is over INR 2,700. That is a meaningful amount, especially if you are a family of four.
Why the variation? Each Schengen country negotiates its own contract with VFS Global. Countries that process higher volumes or have been with VFS longer sometimes have different fee structures. VFS has stated that the November 2025 revision reflects upgrades in cyber-security, biometric systems, and applicant-handling capacity.
Mandatory Travel Insurance: Non-Negotiable
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, every Schengen visa applicant must have travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (approximately INR 31.8 lakh). This is a hard requirement -- applications without valid insurance are rejected outright.
Here is what insurance typically costs for Indian applicants:
| Trip Duration | Budget Plan (INR) | Mid-Range Plan (INR) | Premium Plan (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 300-500 | 700-1,000 | 1,500-2,500 |
| 15 days | 500-800 | 1,000-1,500 | 2,500-4,000 |
| 30 days | 800-1,200 | 1,500-2,500 | 4,000-6,000 |
| 90 days | 2,000-3,500 | 4,000-6,000 | 8,000-12,000 |
Popular VFS-approved insurers for Indian applicants include Bajaj Allianz, HDFC ERGO, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, and Niva Bupa. For a detailed comparison of plans, coverage, and which insurers get accepted without issues, check our complete travel insurance guide for Schengen visa.
Pro tip: Do not buy the absolute cheapest plan. A policy costing INR 300 for a week is technically valid, but policies with higher deductibles or borderline coverage sometimes invite questions from consular officers. Spending an extra INR 300-500 on a solid mid-range plan is worth the peace of mind.
Optional VFS Add-Ons: What They Cost and What You Actually Need
VFS Global offers a menu of premium add-on services at every centre. Some are genuinely useful; others are marketing. Here is the full list with current pricing:
| Add-On Service | Cost (INR) | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| SMS tracking updates | 450 | Maybe -- you can track online for free |
| Courier return of passport | 930 | Yes, if you are not in the same city as the VFS centre |
| SMS + Courier combo | 1,250 | Yes -- saves INR 130 over buying individually |
| Premium lounge access | 4,600 | Only if you want a calmer experience with shorter queues |
| Form-filling assistance | 1,200-1,500 | No -- fill it yourself or use our guide |
| Photocopy service | 100-200 | No -- photocopy at any shop before your appointment |
| Photo service (at VFS) | 400-600 | No -- get photos at a local studio for INR 50-100 |
| Prime Time appointment | 3,500-5,000 | Situational -- useful if regular slots are unavailable |
Our honest recommendation: Get the SMS + Courier combo (INR 1,250) if you want the convenience. Skip the premium lounge unless crowded centres genuinely stress you out. Skip form-filling assistance -- the Schengen application form is straightforward once you know what goes where.
Other Costs You Should Budget For
Passport Photos
Schengen visa photos must be 35mm x 45mm, with a white background and your face occupying 70-80% of the frame.
- Local photo studio: INR 50-150 (best value)
- VFS on-site photo service: INR 400-600
- Online photo services: INR 100-200
Get your photos at a local studio. There is absolutely no reason to pay 4x the price at VFS for the same result.
Photocopies
You will need copies of your passport, previous visas, bank statements, and other documents. A set of photocopies typically runs INR 50-100 if done before your appointment. At VFS, you will pay INR 100-200 for the same service.
Travel to the VFS Centre
VFS Global operates centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kochi, and Lucknow. However, not every centre handles every country. If your nearest centre does not process visas for your destination country, you may need to travel to another city.
Budget INR 500-5,000 for local travel, or significantly more if you need to fly to another city for your appointment.
The Complete Cost Table: What You Will Actually Pay
Here is the realistic total for an adult Indian applicant in 2026:
| Cost Component | Budget Estimate (INR) | Typical Estimate (INR) | Premium Estimate (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy visa fee (EUR 90) | 9,540 | 9,540 | 9,540 |
| VFS service fee | 402 (Slovakia) | 2,200 (France) | 3,111 (Portugal) |
| Travel insurance (15 days) | 500 | 1,200 | 3,500 |
| Passport photos | 50 | 100 | 600 |
| Photocopies | 50 | 80 | 200 |
| SMS + Courier combo | 0 | 1,250 | 1,250 |
| Premium lounge | 0 | 0 | 4,600 |
| Total | ~INR 10,542 | ~INR 14,370 | ~INR 22,801 |
For a family of four (two adults and two children aged 6-11), the typical total comes to approximately INR 42,000-48,000 -- before you have even booked a single flight or hotel.
How Costs Compare Across VFS Centres in India
VFS Global charges are set nationally, so the service fee for, say, Germany is the same whether you apply in Delhi or Bengaluru. However, there are practical cost differences:
- Appointment availability: Some centres (especially Mumbai and Delhi) have longer wait times. If you need a Prime Time slot because regular appointments are booked out, that is an extra INR 3,500-5,000.
- Travel costs: If you are based in Jaipur and need to apply for a country only processed in Delhi, factor in travel and potentially a hotel night.
- Biometric centres: Some smaller cities have biometric-only centres where you give fingerprints but still need to visit a full-service centre for the actual submission. Double trips mean double the travel costs.
Smart strategy: If you are flexible on which Schengen country you apply through, choosing a country with lower VFS fees (like Italy or Slovakia) can save you INR 1,500-2,500 per person. Of course, you must still follow the rule: apply to the country where you spend the most nights. But if your trip is split evenly, the country of first entry gives you a legitimate choice.
Upcoming Fee Changes: What to Expect
The European Commission reviews Schengen visa fees every three years, adjusting them based on inflation and administrative costs. The last increase took effect on 11 June 2024, bringing the adult fee from EUR 80 to EUR 90.
While there is no officially confirmed increase for June 2026, the pattern suggests another revision could come by 2027. The EU has also been discussing premium processing options and digital visa applications, both of which could introduce new fee categories.
VFS Global, meanwhile, has a track record of annual service fee revisions. After increases in January 2025, April 2025, and November 2025, another adjustment in mid-2026 would not be surprising.
What does this mean for you? If you are planning a Europe trip for later in 2026 or early 2027, applying sooner rather than later could save you money if fees go up again. You can apply up to 6 months before your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
No. The embassy visa fee (EUR 90) is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The VFS service charge is also non-refundable. You lose the entire amount if your application is refused. This is why getting your documents right the first time is so important -- a rejection does not just cost you weeks of delay, it costs you money too.
Why do VFS charges vary so much between countries?
Each Schengen country has a separate agreement with VFS Global. Factors include the volume of applications processed, the level of service agreed upon, the duration of the contract, and the specific technology requirements of each embassy. Italy and Slovakia have traditionally had lower VFS fees, while Portugal, Switzerland, and Austria tend to be on the higher end.
Can I pay the Schengen visa fee in EUR instead of INR?
At most VFS centres in India, payment is accepted in INR only. The EUR amount is converted at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of your appointment. Some applicants worry about exchange rate fluctuations -- with EUR 1 currently at approximately INR 106, the INR equivalent of the EUR 90 fee is around INR 9,540. This can vary by a few hundred rupees depending on the day.
Is travel insurance really mandatory, or can I skip it?
It is absolutely mandatory. Under the EU Visa Code, every Schengen visa applicant must present a travel medical insurance policy with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid across all Schengen states. Applications without valid insurance are refused. No exceptions. Read our detailed insurance guide before buying a policy.
What is the cheapest possible way to get a Schengen visa from India?
The absolute minimum cost for an adult is roughly INR 10,000-10,500. This means applying through a country with the lowest VFS fees (like Slovakia or Italy at INR 402-610), buying the cheapest approved travel insurance (INR 300-500 for a short trip), getting photos at a local studio (INR 50), skipping all VFS add-ons, and picking up your passport in person. However, most applicants realistically spend INR 12,000-14,000 once you add basic conveniences like courier return and a decent insurance plan.
Does VisaBro charge separately, or is it included in these costs?
The costs listed above are what you pay directly to the embassy, VFS Global, and your insurance provider. VisaBro's facilitation service is a separate fee that covers end-to-end application assistance: document review, application form preparation, appointment booking, and submission guidance. Many applicants find this worthwhile because a single mistake can lead to rejection, costing you the entire non-refundable fee plus weeks of delay. Get in touch for current pricing.
How do I save money on a Schengen visa for a family?
For families, costs multiply quickly. Here are practical ways to reduce the total bill: apply through a country with lower VFS fees if your itinerary allows it, buy a family travel insurance plan (most insurers offer discounts for multiple travellers on one policy), get photos at a local studio, skip premium add-ons, and make sure your application is complete the first time to avoid paying twice after a rejection.
The Bottom Line
A Schengen visa from India in 2026 costs between INR 10,500 and INR 23,000 per adult, depending on the country you apply through, the insurance plan you choose, and whether you opt for any VFS add-ons. For most applicants, a realistic budget is INR 12,000-14,000 per person.
The embassy fee (EUR 90) is fixed and non-negotiable. Where you can save money is on VFS service charges (choose a lower-fee country if your itinerary permits), insurance (compare plans rather than defaulting to the first option), and add-ons (skip what you do not genuinely need).
More importantly, the biggest financial risk is not the fee itself -- it is a rejection. A refused application means you lose the entire fee and have to pay again when you reapply. Getting your documents right, writing a solid cover letter, and showing the right bank balance the first time around is the best money-saving strategy of all.
Need help with your Schengen visa application? The VisaBro team has helped thousands of Indian travellers get their European visas sorted -- without the stress of figuring it all out alone.
Disclaimer: Fees quoted are based on publicly available data as of March 2026 and are subject to change. Exchange rates fluctuate daily; we have used EUR 1 = INR 106 for calculations. VFS Global service charges may vary by centre and country. Always verify current fees on the official VFS Global and embassy websites before applying. VisaBro is a visa facilitation service and is not affiliated with any embassy or VFS Global.
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