# How to Get a Germany Visa from India in 2026 (Full Guide) > Germany Schengen and national visas from India: fees in INR, India-specific documents, processing, Mumbai's role, refusal data and the 2-year and 5-year visa cascade. _Published: 2026-10-17 · Reading time: 6 min · Words: 1359_ ## TL;DR Indians submit Germany Schengen applications at any VFS Global centre, and the Consulate General in Mumbai decides all of them. The adult fee is 90 EUR / 9,900 INR plus a VFS fee of INR 1933, and processing takes 15 working days from arrival at the visa section. ## Key takeaways - Schengen applications can be lodged at any VFS centre in India regardless of residence; all go to the Consulate General in Mumbai. - Adult Schengen fee: 90 EUR / 9,900 INR (German Missions, page dated 01.10.2026), not refundable if refused. - VFS service fee of INR 1933 including GST is prepaid when you book the appointment. - Refusal rate for Schengen applications at German consulates in India: 10.5% in 2025 (European Commission). - Indians who lawfully used 2 Schengen visas in the past 3 years can be issued a 2-year multiple-entry visa. **Indian citizens apply for a Germany Schengen visa by completing the VIDEX form and submitting it, with biometrics, at any VFS Global centre; the German Consulate General in Mumbai decides every Schengen file. According to German Missions in India, the adult fee is 90 EUR / 9,900 INR and processing takes 15 working days.** ## Article All details here are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026, mainly German Missions in India, VFS Global and the European Commission. German Missions publish the visa fee in both euros and rupees, which makes budgeting easier. Our Germany visa hub for Indian travellers collects the related checklists. ### What are the key facts before you start? QuestionAnswer for Indian passport holdersVisa needed?Yes. Only Indian diplomatic passports are exempt. There is no eVisa or visa on arrival.Where to submit (Schengen)Any VFS centre in India, regardless of where you live: New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad or KolkataWho decidesGerman Consulate General Mumbai, for all Schengen applicationsInsuranceMinimum EUR 30,000, from an approved Indian travel insurance companyPhoto35x45 mm, white background, face covering 70-80%, not older than 6 monthsAirport transit visaNo longer needed for a layover at a German airport since 3 June 2026One more change affects arrivals. The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026, according to the European Commission. Indian Schengen visa holders are registered with fingerprints and a facial image, replacing passport stamps. ### Schengen visa or national visa: which one do you need? A Schengen (C) visa covers stays of up to 90 days. Germany's categories include tourism, visiting family and friends, business, trade fairs, guest scientists, internships and training, medical treatment, culture, sport and religious events, and seamen. A national (D) visa covers stays over 90 days. Most national categories, including students, the EU Blue Card, skilled workers, the Opportunity Card and family reunion, are filed online in the Consular Services Portal, followed by an on-site appointment with the mission responsible for your place of residence. Some categories, such as researchers, au pairs and self-employment, are still paper applications booked through VFS. ### How much does a Germany visa cost in rupees? FeeAmountNoteSchengen visa, adult90 EUR / 9,900 INRGerman Missions, page dated 01.10.2026; VFS one-pager lists INR 9100Schengen visa, child 6-1245 EUR / 5,000 INRVFS lists INR 4600Schengen visa, child under 6FreeNo feeNational (D) visa, over 1875 EUR / 8300 INRPaid in INR at the appointment-day rateVFS service fee (Schengen)INR 1933Includes CGST 9% and SGST 9%; prepaid at bookingCourier (optional)INR 686VFS optional servicePremium Lounge (optional)INR 3088VFS optional serviceThe INR amounts follow the Consulate General Mumbai exchange rate and are subject to change without notice. The embassy figure is the newer one. The visa fee is not refundable if the visa is rejected. ### Which documents do German Missions expect from Indian applicants? The German checklists are unusually specific about Indian paperwork. For a tourist or family visit, prepare: - The VIDEX form printed in full, including all barcode pages, and signed, plus signed declarations of true and complete information and of travel with valid medical insurance. - A passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your return, with at least two empty pages, plus a copy of the biometric and address pages. - A covering letter with your itinerary, a flight reservation and proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, or your host's address and ID). - If employed: pay slips for the last three months, employment contract, leave sanction letter, bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank, and ITR acknowledgments for the last two assessment years or Form 16. - If self-employed: company registration including the GST number, ITR or Form 16 and bank statements. Retired applicants add pension statements; students add an enrolment certificate and NOC. - Proof of civil status, such as a marriage certificate, where relevant. - For family visits: an original signed invitation from your host in Germany with their address, proof of legal residence, your passport number and the purpose of the trip. Avoid the problems the checklists flag: passbook copies are not accepted, your name and address must appear on the bank statements, handwritten passports are refused, and insurance must come from the approved list of Indian insurers (such as Acko, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance or Tata-AIG). German Missions also note that using an agent is not necessary, since all forms and information are free. ### When should you apply, and how long does it take? Apply not earlier than six months and not later than 15 working days before travel. The Consulate General in Mumbai recommends applying at least three weeks ahead. Processing takes 15 working days from the day your file arrives at the visa section, not from your VFS visit. Transfer from VFS to the Consulate can take up to six working days; files lodged at VFS Mumbai arrive the next day. The Mumbai FAQ adds that complete applications are usually decided within 15 calendar days of receipt, extendable up to 45 days in individual cases. If you travel within 15 calendar days of your file reaching the visa section, your passport may be returned unprocessed with the fee refunded. For short-notice work trips, VFS offers an Urgent business category (and Urgent trade fair for exhibitors) when no normal slot is free. Your journey must start within four weeks, there is no extra charge, and it gives an earlier appointment, not faster processing. ### How many applications are refused, and what can you do? The European Commission publishes refusal data by consulate. For short-stay Schengen applications lodged at German consulates in India, the refusal rate was 10.5% in 2025 (16,126 visas not issued out of 153,179 applications) and 11.1% in 2024. These numbers describe all applications in those years; they do not predict a single outcome. German Missions say most rejections result from incomplete or unverifiable documentation. After a refusal, you can reapply at any time with no waiting period, or file a lawsuit at the Administrative Court in Berlin within one month, with a court fee currently of EUR 483. The free remonstration procedure was abolished in India from 1 January 2024. ### Can frequent travellers get a 2-year or 5-year German visa? Yes, through the visa cascade. Indian nationals living in India who have lawfully used 2 Schengen visas within the past 3 years can be issued a two-year multiple-entry visa (C2), and after that may qualify for a five-year visa (C5). Travellers deemed trustworthy may exceptionally receive a C5 straight away. There is no entitlement. Your passport must remain valid 3 months beyond the visa's expiry, otherwise the next lower duration is issued. State your request on the form (for example 'one year' validity, '90' days and 'MULT' entries) and show why you travel often, such as an invitation mentioning repeated trips plus proof of earlier travel. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram can prepare the flight reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and covering letter that the German checklist asks for. A flight reservation costs INR 1,000; the complete set costs INR 3,000. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us via the contact page. ### Frequently asked questions #### Can I apply for a German Schengen visa in Delhi if I live in Kerala? Yes. Schengen applications can be submitted at any VFS centre across India regardless of residence, and all are forwarded to the German Consulate General in Mumbai. National (D) visas are different: they go to the mission responsible for your place of residence. #### Do I need a transit visa to change flights in Frankfurt or Munich? No, not since 3 June 2026. German Missions in India say Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport when travelling on to another country. #### Can I track my German Schengen visa application? Yes, through the application tracking on the VFS website. Written inquiries are answered only after the 15-day regular processing period, and passports are returned only via VFS. #### Can someone else submit my Germany visa application? Only if your fingerprints were collected in the previous 59 months; then a representative with an authorisation letter may submit. Otherwise all applicants appear in person at VFS for biometrics, although children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting. ## FAQ ### Can I apply for a German Schengen visa in Delhi if I live in Kerala? Yes. Schengen applications can be submitted at any VFS centre across India regardless of residence, and all are forwarded to the German Consulate General in Mumbai. National (D) visas are different: they go to the mission responsible for your place of residence. ### Do I need a transit visa to change flights in Frankfurt or Munich? No, not since 3 June 2026. German Missions in India say Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport when travelling on to another country. ### Can I track my German Schengen visa application? Yes, through the application tracking on the VFS website. Written inquiries are answered only after the 15-day regular processing period, and passports are returned only via VFS. ### Can someone else submit my Germany visa application? Only if your fingerprints were collected in the previous 59 months; then a representative with an authorisation letter may submit. Otherwise all applicants appear in person at VFS for biometrics, although children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting. ## Sources 1. [German Missions in India - Schengen Visa](https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2633538-2633538) — German Missions in India 2. [German Missions in India - Visa fees for Schengen Visa](https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/1984596-1984596) — German Missions in India 3. [German Missions in India - Schengen Visa FAQs (cascade, multiple-entry, biometrics)](https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/schengen-visa-faq-2610538) — German Missions in India 4. [European Commission - Schengen visa statistics by consulate (2025)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/56816949-e59f-442b-9091-5d03360bf860_en) — European Commission