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Germany Visa for Indians

Schengen visa needed – apply at any VFS Global centre in India

  • Visa required
  • Checked 3 Nov 2026 against official sources
  • For Indian passport holders, tourist travel

Key facts

Visa needed?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a short-stay Schengen (C) visa for a holiday in Germany of up to 90 days.
How to apply
Book an appointment through VFS Global and submit your application in person at a German visa application centre.
Visa fee
90 EUR (₹9,900) for adults, 45 EUR (₹5,000) for children aged 6 to 12, free for children under 6, as listed by the German Missions in India (subject to change). VFS charges a separate service fee. The visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Processing time
About 15 days on average after the application reaches the Consulate. Delivery from VFS can take up to 6 working days, and you should allow at least 3 more days for VFS logistics. Express processing is generally not possible.
Stay allowed
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area.
Validity
As printed on the visa. Indian nationals with two lawfully used Schengen visas in the last 3 years may be considered for a 2-year multiple-entry visa; this is at the mission's discretion.
Passport
Your passport must stay valid long enough for the visa period; if it is too short, a shorter visa may be issued.
Where to apply in India
Any VFS Global visa application centre in India, regardless of where you live.

Documents usually needed

  • Completed Schengen visa application form
  • Valid passport
  • Travel medical insurance from an Indian insurer approved by the German Missions
  • Supporting documents for tourism as per the German Missions' visa FAQ and VFS checklist

How to apply

  1. Check the current checklist on the German Missions in India website and VFS Global.
  2. Book an appointment at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/. If your nearest centre is full, check other cities.
  3. Attend the appointment, submit documents and pay the visa fee and VFS service fee.
  4. Wait for processing at the Consulate, about 15 days on average plus transfer time.
  5. Collect your passport from VFS.

Important to know

Apply well ahead. If you plan to travel within 15 calendar days of your application reaching the visa section, it may be returned unprocessed with the fee refunded.

Only travel medical insurance from approved Indian insurers is accepted.

Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational: your fingerprints and facial image are recorded at the Schengen external border instead of a passport stamp.

The remonstration (appeal) procedure for refused visas was abolished in India from 1 January 2024.

The visa decision is made by the German mission. We help prepare and submit the application, but approval cannot be promised.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a German Schengen visa in any Indian city?
Yes. For Schengen visas you can apply at any VFS Global centre in India, regardless of where you live.
How long does a German tourist visa take?
Processing averages about 15 days once the file reaches the Consulate, plus up to 6 working days for delivery and a few days of VFS logistics.
Is the German visa fee refunded if my visa is refused?
No. The visa fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
Can I get a longer multiple-entry Schengen visa from Germany?
Indian nationals who have lawfully used two Schengen visas in the past 3 years may be considered for a 2-year visa, but it is not an entitlement.
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