Germany Tourist Visa Fees for Indians (2026, in Rupees)

Every figure below is as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15: the fee page of German Missions in India, the VFS Global one-pagers for Germany and the European Commission's visa statistics. The euro amount is fixed by EU rules, while the rupee amount moves with the exchange rate used by the Consulate General in Mumbai, which decides every Schengen application filed in India. For the full application process, see our Germany visa guide for Indian citizens.

How much is the Germany tourist visa fee in rupees?

The tourist visa is a short-stay Schengen (C) visa, so the same fee applies whether you travel for sightseeing, a family visit or a short business trip. German Missions publish the fee in both currencies, marked as subject to change without prior notice.

The euro figure is identical on both pages. The rupee figure differs because the VFS one-pager has not caught up with the newer embassy page. German Missions state that the INR amount follows the Consulate General Mumbai exchange rate, so treat INR 9,900 as the current reference and confirm the exact amount on the day of your appointment.

What does VFS Global charge on top of the visa fee?

VFS Global runs the Germany visa application centres in India and charges its own service fee. It is separate from the consular fee and goes to VFS, not to the German government.

• Service fee: INR 1933 per applicant, inclusive of CGST 9% and SGST 9%.
• Courier of your passport: INR 686 (optional).
• Courier Assurance: INR 1033 (optional).
• SMS updates: INR 147 (optional).
• Premium Lounge: INR 3088 (optional).

None of the optional services speeds up the decision. They only change how you wait, how you are updated and how your passport comes back. A family of four pays the INR 1933 service fee four times, because it is charged per application.

When and how do you pay each charge?

The two payments happen at different points. The VFS service fee is pre-paid online at the time you book the Schengen appointment. The visa fee itself is paid at the appointment, when you submit your file and give biometrics.

You can submit at any VFS centre across India, regardless of where you live. Centres listed for Germany include New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, plus Thimphu in Bhutan. All Schengen files are forwarded to the German Consulate General in Mumbai for a decision, so the fee is the same in every city.

Is the Germany visa fee refunded after a refusal?

No. German Missions state that the Schengen visa fee is not refundable even if the visa is rejected, and the VFS service fee is a charge for the centre's work. There is one narrow exception in the Consulate's FAQ: if your travel date falls within 15 calendar days of your file reaching the visa section, the passport may be returned unprocessed with the fee refunded. That is a timing problem, not a saving.

After a refusal you have two options. You can reapply at any time, because Germany has no cooling or locking period. Or you can file a lawsuit at the Administrative Court in Berlin within one month of receiving the refusal; the court fee is currently EUR 483, paid by the plaintiff whatever the outcome. The free remonstration procedure was abolished in India from 1 January 2024.

For context, European Commission data show that 10.5% of short-stay Schengen applications lodged at German consulates in India were not issued in 2025 (16,126 of 153,179 applications), against 11.1% in 2024. German Missions say most rejections come from incomplete or unverifiable documentation, which is where most lost fees come from.

Who pays less, and who pays nothing?

Most adults pay the full fee, but a few groups pay less or are exempt:

• Children under 6: 0 EUR.
• Children aged 6–12: 45 EUR / 5,000 INR.
• Trade fair exhibitors: exempt only if the individual exhibitor pass is submitted with the application. There is no later refund, and visitor-pass holders pay the regular fee.
• Guest scientists: holders of a public German scholarship may be fee-exempt.

Being exempt from the visa fee does not exempt you from the VFS service fee.

What other costs should you budget for?

The fee table is only part of the cost of a tourist file. The checklist also asks for:

• Travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries for the whole trip, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, from an insurer on the approved list of Indian travel insurance companies.
• Biometric photos: 35x45 mm, white background, not older than six months. Photos can be taken at the centres.
• A flight reservation and proof of accommodation for the whole stay.

German Missions also point out that you do not need an agent to apply and that all forms and information are free of charge.

Before you pay: four mistakes that waste money

• Applying too late. Apply no earlier than six months and no later than 15 working days before travel; the Consulate recommends at least three weeks.
• Bank statements without your name and address. These must appear on the statements, and passbook copies are not accepted.
• Paying for extras you don't need. Courier and lounge services are optional.
• Buying non-refundable tickets first. A verifiable flight reservation covers the checklist item until your visa is decided.

If you want help with the supporting papers, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for a reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and cover letter together. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay the Germany visa fee in euros at VFS?

German Missions publish the adult fee as 90 EUR / 9,900 INR, with the rupee figure based on the Consulate General Mumbai exchange rate. The official pages we checked do not list the payment modes accepted at the centre, so confirm them with VFS Global when you book.

Is the Germany visa fee the same for business and tourist trips?

Yes. Both are short-stay Schengen (C) visas, so an adult pays 90 EUR / 9,900 INR for either purpose. Trade fair exhibitors are the exception: they are exempt only if they submit the individual exhibitor pass with the application.

Does a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa cost more?

German Missions list one Schengen fee for adults, 90 EUR / 9,900 INR, and do not publish a separate fee for longer validity. Indians who have lawfully used two Schengen visas in the past three years can be issued a two-year multiple-entry visa under the cascade rules.

Do I pay the VFS fee again if I reapply after a refusal?

Yes. A new application is a new file, so you pre-pay the INR 1933 VFS service fee again and pay the visa fee again at the appointment. Germany allows you to reapply at any time after a refusal.