For Indian travellers, a Schengen visa is the golden ticket to Europe. With just one visa, you can explore 29 countries across the Schengen Zone, making it one of the most convenient ways to experience Europe’s diversity.

However, when applying for a Schengen visa, the cost can vary depending on the country you apply through. While the base visa fee remains fixed—₹9,100 for adults and ₹4,600 for children aged 6–12—the difference comes from the mandatory service charges collected by VFS Global, the official visa outsourcing agency for most Schengen nations.

These VFS charges are not optional, which means the total cost of your application changes depending on the country you are applying to. On top of that, many travellers also end up paying for extra services such as courier delivery, SMS updates, or even premium lounge access, further adding to the bill.

Why Do Schengen Visa Fees Vary by Country?

Although the visa fee itself is the same for all Schengen states, the VFS service fee differs by country. Some embassies charge more for processing through VFS, which is why applying for a Schengen visa for Portugal, for instance, costs more than for Germany.

Since most embassies no longer accept direct walk-in applications, VFS has become the only authorised channel for submitting Schengen visa documents in India, making these fees unavoidable.

Schengen Visa Cost for Indians: Country-Wise Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at the total Schengen visa cost (including VFS fees) for popular European countries:

Germany – ₹11,033

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: ₹1,933
• Optional Services: Courier ₹686, SMS updates ₹147

France – ₹11,334

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: approx. ₹2,234 (charged in euros)
• Optional Service: Courier ₹550

Austria – ₹11,374

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: ₹2,274

Belgium – ₹11,575

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: ₹2,475

Switzerland – ₹11,790

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: ₹2,690
• Optional Services: Courier ₹930, SMS ₹450

Portugal – ₹12,211

• Visa Fee: ₹9,100
• VFS Fee: ₹3,111 (highest among Schengen nations for India)

What Other Costs Should You Expect?

Apart from the visa and service fees, applicants often choose extra convenience services offered by VFS, such as:

• Courier delivery of passport – ₹500–₹900+ depending on country
• SMS notifications – ₹150–₹450 depending on country
• Premium Lounge access – Higher charges for added comfort while submitting documents

While optional, these extras can add to the total expense of your Schengen visa application.

Key Takeaways

• Base Schengen visa fee: ₹9,100 for adults, ₹4,600 for children (6–12 years).
• Biggest cost difference comes from VFS service charges, which vary by country.
• Germany is cheapest at ₹11,033 total, while Portugal is priciest at ₹12,211.
• Optional services like courier delivery and SMS updates further raise costs.
• Applications must be made through VFS Global, as most embassies no longer allow direct submissions.

Final Thoughts

For Indian travellers, the Schengen visa remains the most efficient way to explore Europe, allowing stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. But as this breakdown shows, your total cost will depend on which country you apply through.

💡 Tip for budget-conscious travellers: If you’re flexible and your travel plans allow, applying through countries like Germany or France could save you some money compared to pricier options like Portugal or Switzerland.

Whichever embassy you choose, make sure to prepare all required documents—travel insurance, accommodation details, and proof of funds—to boost your chances of a smooth and successful application.