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Visa guide · Indian passport holders

Germany visa for Indian citizens

Applies via: VFS Global + embassySchengen short-stay visaSources checked on

Indian citizens apply for a Germany visa through VFS Global and the embassy. The published fee for Schengen visa - adults is 90 EUR / 9,900 INR*. Processing time (Schengen visa): 15 working days from the day of arrival at the visa section (excluding day of submission at VFS); transfer from VFS to the Consulate can take up to six working days. Apply not earlier than six months and not later than 15 working days before travel. Application locations listed include New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa (6 more listed below). Sources checked on October 10, 2026.

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Germany visa for Indians — key facts

Visa fee
90 EUR / 9,900 INR*Schengen visa - adults
Processing time
15 working days from the day of arrival at the visa section (excluding day of submission at VFS)Schengen visa
Where to apply
11 locations listedNew Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad…
Insurance required
Yes

Overview

How do Indian citizens apply for a Germany visa?

Applies via: VFS Global + embassy

Who handles applications in India

Schengen (short-stay, up to 90 days) applications are booked and submitted at VFS Global Visa Application Centres; applications can be submitted at any VFS centre across India regardless of residence and are all forwarded to the German Consulate General in Mumbai for a decision. The VFS service charge is pre-paid when booking the appointment and the visa fee is paid at the appointment. National (D, over 90 days) visas are applied for online through the Consular Services Portal (CSP) where available, then submitted at an on-site appointment with the German mission responsible for your place of residence. Since June 2026 Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport.

How to apply from India — step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the application form

    Fill in the Germany visa application form linked from the official pages below.

  2. 2

    Prepare your documents

    Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.

  3. 3

    Book an appointment

    Book an appointment as described on the VFS Global / embassy pages linked below.

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit at a VFS Global centre or other listed location: New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru and others listed below.

  5. 5

    Give biometrics

    Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.

  6. 6

    Pay the fees

    Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.

Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.

Before you apply

Visa fees

How much is the Germany visa fee for Indian citizens?

  • Schengen visa - adults

    90 EUR / 9,900 INR*

    Embassy page dated 01.10.2026; *subject to change without prior notice. VFS one-pager lists EUR 90 / INR 9100 (fees effective 9 July 2025); INR amount is per the Consulate General Mumbai exchange rate. Not refundable even if the visa is rejected.

  • Schengen visa - minors 6-12

    45 EUR / 5,000 INR*

    VFS one-pager lists EUR 45 / INR 4600.

  • Schengen visa - minors under 6

    0 EUR

  • National visa - applicants over 18

    75 EUR / 8300 INR

    Payable in INR at the exchange rate on the day of the on-site appointment; processing fee, not reimbursed if refused. VFS lists EUR 75.21 / INR 7600.

  • National visa - applicants under 18

    37,50 EUR / 4200 INR

Service fee: VFS service fee - INR 1933/- (inclusive of CGST 9% and SGST 9%); pre-paid at the time of booking the Schengen appointment. Optional services e.g. Courier INR 686, Courier Assurance INR 1033, SMS INR 147, Premium Lounge INR 3088.

Checklist

What documents are required for a Germany visa from India?

All applicants

16 items
  • Completely filled out and signed Schengen visa application form (VIDEX online form; print and submit all pages including the barcodes)
  • Signed declaration of True and Complete Information
  • Signed declaration of travel with valid medical insurance
  • Valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least 3 months' validity after the scheduled return and at least two empty pages; passports with observations regarding the front data page not accepted; handwritten passports not accepted
  • Copy of the biometric & address page of the passport
  • Min. 1 biometric passport picture (35x45mm white background, 70%-80% face coverage), not older than six months
  • Personal covering letter / proof of intended means of transport and itinerary
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, or host's sponsorship/private accommodation proof with address and passport/ID copy); for several Member States, proof for each
  • Sponsor documentation if the trip is sponsored (sponsor letter, passport copy, sponsor's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank)
  • Proof of economic status: employed - pay slips for last three months, employment contract, leave sanction letter, bank statements for last 3 months stamped by the bank, ITR acknowledgment for last two assessment years or Form 16; self-employed - company registration incl. GST number, ITR/Form 16, bank statements; retired - pension statements; students - enrolment certificate and NOC
  • Proof of civil status (marriage/divorce/birth/death certificates as applicable)
  • Flight reservation
  • Overseas travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries for the entire trip, minimum coverage EUR 30,000, from an approved Indian travel insurance company
  • For minors: forms signed by both parents, birth certificate, parents' passport copies, notarised consent if travelling alone or with one parent
  • If submitted by a representative/travel agent: signed authorization letter and copy of passport of the person submitting
  • Name & Address of the Applicant must reflect in Bank statements; passbook copies are not accepted

Tourism

1 item
  • Certificate of the travel agency confirming the booking of an organized trip OR any other appropriate document indicating the travel plans - detailed travel itinerary

Visit Family & Friends

4 items
  • Copy of the biometric & address page of the passport as well as the last page (if Indian passport)
  • Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend in Germany incl. their address and contact details, intended period of stay, evidence of their legal residence (passport/ID + residence permit), traveller's name and passport number, purpose and itinerary
  • If visiting your child: evidence of legal residence of the child
  • If visiting a pregnant person: Mutterpass

Business

6 items
  • For international staff exchange or contracts for work and services: approval of the Federal Employment Agency
  • Original signed covering letter from the company in India on company letterhead (traveller name, passport number, purpose, duration, itinerary)
  • Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, GST Registration and Proof of Company Registration
  • Invitation letter from the business partner in German or English (planned activities, business relationship)
  • Detailed schedule of business meetings (only for stays over 30 days)
  • Invitation letters from other Schengen business partners, if applicable

Other Schengen categories (Airport Transit, Trade Fair, Guest Scientist, Internship + Training, Health, Culture Sport Religious, Seamen)

1 item
  • Separate category checklists published as PDFs on the VFS one-pager and embassy site (not itemised here)

National visa (CSP categories)

2 items
  • Documents uploaded through the Consular Services Portal per the embassy checklists for Employment, Vocational training, Opportunity Card, Studies and Family reunion
  • Original degree certificate / final convocation certificate (highest qualification) for student and employment applicants, returned after verification (VFS Bangalore)

Photo

What are the Germany visa photo specifications?

Size
35x45 mm
Background
White
  • Two recent passport size photos for each person included in the application (VFS)
  • Face coverage 70-80%
  • Not older than 6 months
  • Must meet biometric photo requirements; photos can be obtained at the Visa Application Centres

Insurance

Is travel medical insurance required for a Germany visa?

Required

Travel medical insurance valid throughout the Schengen territory for the entire stay, minimum coverage EUR 30,000; German missions accept Indian travel medical insurances only from the approved list of Indian travel insurance companies (e.g. Acko, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance, Tata-AIG etc., with age limits). Required even in transit cases (VFS).

Processing

How long does Germany visa processing take?

Schengen visa
15 working days from the day of arrival at the visa section (excluding day of submission at VFS); transfer from VFS to the Consulate can take up to six working days. Apply not earlier than six months and not later than 15 working days before travel.
Schengen visa (embassy guidance)
It can take up to two weeks to process your Schengen visa, and even longer in individual cases

Visa types

Which Germany visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Schengen Visa (short stay, up to 90 days / C visa)

  • Airport Transit
  • Business
  • Trade Fair
  • Guest Scientist
  • Internship + Training
  • Tourism
  • Visit Family & Friends
  • Health (medical treatment)
  • Culture Sport Religious
  • Seamen

National Visa (long stay, over 90 days / D visa) - via Consular Services Portal

  • Opportunity card
  • Blue Card (EU) with a university degree
  • Blue Card (EU) with a tertiary education qualification
  • Blue Card (EU) for IT specialist
  • Taking up employment as an academic
  • Taking up employment as a skilled worker with professional training
  • Taking up employment with work experience
  • Conducting a qualification analysis
  • Taking up employment as part of a placement agreement
  • Visa for basic or advanced vocational training and to seek a vocational training place
  • Study purposes and seeking a university place
  • Family reunion - joining a spouse
  • Family reunion - children joining parents
  • Family reunion - parents joining children

Where to apply

Where do Indian citizens apply for a Germany visa?

  • New Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Ahmedabad
  • Pune
  • Goa
  • Bengaluru
  • Kochi
  • Chennai
  • Hyderabad
  • Kolkata
  • Thimphu (Bhutan)

FAQ

Germany visa for Indians — frequently asked questions

Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.

How much is the Germany visa fee for Indian citizens?

Schengen visa - adults: 90 EUR / 9,900 INR*; Schengen visa - minors 6-12: 45 EUR / 5,000 INR*; Schengen visa - minors under 6: 0 EUR. 2 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: VFS service fee - INR 1933/- (inclusive of CGST 9% and SGST 9%); pre-paid at the time of booking the Schengen appointment. Optional services e.g. Courier INR 686, Courier Assurance INR 1033, SMS INR 147, Premium Lounge INR 3088..

What documents are required for a Germany visa from India?

Completely filled out and signed Schengen visa application form (VIDEX online form; print and submit all pages including the barcodes); Signed declaration of True and Complete Information; Signed declaration of travel with valid medical insurance; Valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least 3 months' validity after the scheduled return and at least two empty pages; passports with observations regarding the front data page not accepted; handwritten passports not accepted; Copy of the biometric & address page of the passport; Min. 1 biometric passport picture (35x45mm white background, 70%-80% face coverage), not older than six months. Plus 10 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 5 visa categories.

How long does Germany visa processing take for Indians?

Schengen visa: 15 working days from the day of arrival at the visa section (excluding day of submission at VFS); transfer from VFS to the Consulate can take up to six working days. Apply not earlier than six months and not later than 15 working days before travel.; Schengen visa (embassy guidance): It can take up to two weeks to process your Schengen visa, and even longer in individual cases.

Where do Indian citizens apply for a Germany visa?

Applications go via VFS Global + embassy. Locations listed: New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Thimphu (Bhutan).

What photo size is required for a Germany visa?

Size: 35x45 mm. Background: White.

Is travel medical insurance required for a Germany visa?

Yes. Travel medical insurance valid throughout the Schengen territory for the entire stay, minimum coverage EUR 30,000; German missions accept Indian travel medical insurances only from the approved list of Indian travel insurance companies (e.g. Acko, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance, Tata-AIG etc., with age limits). Required even in transit cases (VFS).

Which Germany visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Schengen Visa (short stay, up to 90 days / C visa) and National Visa (long stay, over 90 days / D visa) - via Consular Services Portal. 24 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

Machine-readable version: /visa/india/germany/markdown

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