Schengen Visa Requirements 2025: Documents, Fees & Processing Guide

I still remember the first time I held my freshly stamped Schengen Visa in my hand. It felt like my golden ticket to Europe — a single visa for 29 beautiful countries, from Italy’s cobbled streets to Switzerland’s snow-capped Alps. For many Indian travellers, a Schengen Visa is not just a document but beginning of a dream.

In this blog, we guide you through all the steps that you need to follow to secure your Schengen Visa in 2025. But, let us first understand what a Schengen Visa.

What Exactly Is a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel freely across countries in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period).

The Schengen Zone is an area in Europe, where 29 countries have abolished internal borders, allowing people to move freely without passport checks between member nations. As a traveller, it means that once you enter any one of these countries with a valid Schengen Visa, you can travel anywhere within this zone just like you move between various states in India without any extra visa or immigration checks.

You can land in France, take a train to Germany, then continue to Italy or Spain without any visa hassle. It’s one of the biggest conveniences of international travel today.

Schengen Zone covers not one but so many of our dream Europe destinations – Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Besides, Schengen Visa holders can also visit Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. The latest entrants to the zone include Bulgaria and Romania, both of which joined in March 2024.

Schengen Visa for Indian Citizens

As an Indian Passport holder, Schengen Visa is the most common route to Europe. You can apply through the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend most of your time — in my case, it was France. If you’re visiting multiple countries equally, you can also apply through the country of your first entry.

Considering the wide travel itinerary that Schengen Visa for Indian citizens allows, its process is hardly a hassle. But, it does require keen attention to detail. Missing any document or giving vague travel plans can delay your application. Our group learned this the hard way when my friend’s visa was delayed because her travel insurance didn’t meet Schengen requirements.

Schengen Visa Document Requirements in 2025

If you are applying for a Schengen Visa from India, standard Schengen Visa document requirements include the following:

1.  Valid passport
Your passport should be valid for 3 months beyond your return date with at least 2 blank pages.

2.  Visa application form
You need to submit a completed and signed visa application form. These days, many countries allow an online application form too.

3.  Recent passport-sized photos

4.  Travel itinerary
You should also keep a detailed travel plan and round the trip flight bookings handy along with your application.

5.  Proof of accommodation
Countries also require hotel reservations or an invitation letter from your host as proof of your accommodation in Europe.

6.  Travel insurance
Also, make sure that your travel insurance has a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies.

7.  Proof of funds
Like any other travel visa requirement, if you are applying for Schengen visa, you need to submit bank statements of the past three to six months, income tax returns or salary slips.

8.  Cover letter
Many Indian travellers end up taking this step lightly and end up delaying their Visa unnecessarily, Write a sincere cover letter, explaining your purpose of visit, duration of stay and travel route, and it should be okay.

9.  Visa fee payment receipt
Last, but not the least, attach the receipt of your visa fee payment as a proof that you’ve paid the requisite amount.

 It looks like a long list, but once you start and organise your papers, you realise it is actually very basic.

How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost in 2025?

One of the most common question that our team gets is – “How much does a Schengen Visa cost?”

As of 2025, the Schengen Visa fee for adults is €90 (approximately Rs 8,100). For children aged 6–12 years, the fee is €45 (approximately Rs 4,050), while there is no fee for kids under six years.

However, some service providers or VFS centres may charge an additional service fee. Besides, even if your visa application is rejected, you don’t get the money back as the Schengen Visa fee is non-refundable.

Applying for Schengen Visa from India

If you are applying for a Schengen Visa from India, firstly select the embassy or consulate of a country based on where you’ll spend the most time.

Fill out the application online or on paper, depending on the country; and book an appointment with the embassy, consulate or a VFS Global Centre.

Attend the biometrics appointment, submit your documents and pay the fees. Remember that you must carry both originals and photocopies on the date of your appointment with the authority.

How long is Schengen Visa Processing Time and Validity?

For most Indians, the Schengen Visa processing time is around 15–20 working days. But, during peak travel season in the summer or Christmas, it can stretch longer, so plan at least a month in advance. In my case, the entire process took about three weeks.

Once you receive your Schengen Visa, it is typically valid for 90 days (within 180 days). Imagine being able to visit Paris in spring, Berlin in summer, and Prague in winter — all under one visa! If you plan well, you have the key to the time of your life.

As usual, we have included some pro tips to ensure you can secure the Schengen Visa without any delay or inconvenience.

Bonus tips for Schengen Visa application:

• Book refundable flights/hotels

• Get a solid travel insurance

• Apply early, ideally 6–8 weeks before your trip

• Keep your cover letter clear as a well-written letter shows genuine intent and avoid delays

When Dreams Take Flight - Get ready for Europe Trip!!

Standing at the Delhi airport with my backpack and visa-stamped passport, I felt a mix of relief and excitement. The paperwork, the fees, the countless photocopies, it was all worth it. The Schengen Visa isn’t just about entering Europe. It is about unlocking a world of cultures, cuisines and landscapes with one small sticker in your passport.

If you’re preparing for your own European journey, remember that the process may feel overwhelming, but it’s only the first step toward memories you’ll cherish forever.