Christmas markets in Vienna and Prague, New Year’s Eve in Paris, snow in Switzerland: December is one of the most popular times for Indian families to visit Europe, and one of the easiest to get wrong on timing. Consulates slow down over the holidays, VFS calendars fill with other travellers, and many people apply too late.
This guide works backwards from your departure date so you know exactly when to book, submit and buy tickets for a December 2026 or New Year trip.
Apply-by dates for a Christmas or New Year 2026 trip
- Now (October): book your VFS or BLS appointment. October to March is normally the easier season for slots, but December demand builds fast.
- By about 15 November: submit your application. That leaves 15 days for the decision, buffer for extra document requests, and courier time before the holiday slowdown.
- Absolute latest: 15 days before travel is the legal minimum, but applying that late in December is a real risk.
- Earliest: six months before travel. If you are reading this in spring for next Christmas, you can already apply in June.
Why December is harder than it looks
- Consulate holidays. European consulates close for Christmas and New Year and often run reduced staff in the last two weeks of December. Files submitted late in the month can take longer.
- Volume. Students heading home, NRIs, families and honeymooners all apply in the same window.
- Couriers. Even after a decision, the passport still has to come back to you through VFS and the courier.
- No express route. Paying for Prime Time or the Premium Lounge does not change the consulate’s processing time. See VFS appointment types explained.
A week-by-week plan
| When (for departure around 20 December) | What to do |
|---|---|
| Early to mid-October | Decide the main destination (it decides which consulate you apply to), check passport validity (three months beyond return, issued within 10 years), book the appointment. |
| Mid to late October | Collect documents: 3–6 months of bank statements, ITRs, leave letter, school letters for children, refundable flight and hotel bookings, insurance. |
| Early to mid-November | Submit at VFS or BLS and give biometrics. |
| Late November to early December | Decision and passport return. Respond immediately to any extra document request. |
| Once the visa is in hand | Buy non-refundable flights and pay hotel deposits. |
Choosing the consulate for a multi-country Christmas trip
Apply to the country where you spend the most nights. If nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first. A common December route (Paris 4 nights, Brussels 1, Amsterdam 2) means applying to France. Bending the itinerary to target a “faster” consulate is one of the most common reasons for refusal, so plan the trip first and the consulate follows. See which Schengen country to apply to.
Family trips: what to prepare for children
- Child fee: €45 for ages 6–12, free under 6.
- School leave letter or holiday schedule, birth certificate, and a consent letter (with ID) if only one parent travels.
- Children’s own travel insurance.
For the full list, see Schengen visa for families with children.
Running late?
If your trip is in the next three weeks and you have no appointment, read Urgent Schengen visa: what is possible in 15 days and what to do when slots are full. Consider moving dates into January, when demand and consulate staffing are better.
Sources
- EU Visa Code, Article 9 (apply up to six months and at least 15 days before travel) and Article 23 (15-day decision standard)
- Visa fees as published by VFS Global India (€90 adults, €45 children 6–12)
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Frequently asked questions
When should I apply for a Schengen visa for a Christmas trip?
Book the appointment in October and aim to submit by about mid-November, to leave time for the 15-day decision, any extra document request and courier return before the holiday slowdown. Source: EU Visa Code, Article 23.
How early can I apply for a Schengen visa?
Up to six months before your travel date. Source: EU Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009), Article 9.
What is the latest I can apply?
No later than 15 days before travel, but applying that late in December is risky because of holiday closures and volume. Source: EU Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009), Article 9.
How long does a Schengen visa take in December?
The standard is 15 calendar days from a complete application, extendable to 45 in individual cases. Late December applications can take longer because of consulate holidays. Source: EU Visa Code, Article 23.
Are appointments easy to get for December travel?
October to March is usually the easier season, with slots often available within one to two weeks, but demand rises sharply before Christmas. Source: Collegedunia, March 2026.
Which country should I apply to for a multi-country Christmas trip?
The country where you spend the most nights. If nights are equal, the country you enter first. Source: EU Visa Code, Article 5.
Should I buy flight tickets before applying?
No. Use refundable flight reservations and free-cancellation hotels, and buy tickets only after the visa is issued. Source: consulate checklists ask for a flight reservation, not a paid ticket (e.g. German Missions in India).
What is the Schengen visa fee for children?
€45 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. Adults pay €90. Source: VFS Global India fee schedules (€90 adults, €45 children 6–12).
Do I need travel insurance for a December trip?
Yes. Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across all Schengen countries for the whole trip, is mandatory. Source: EU Visa Code, Article 15 (travel medical insurance).
How long must my passport be valid?
At least three months beyond your planned departure from Schengen, issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages. Source: EU Visa Code, Article 12 (travel document).
What if my trip is in less than three weeks?
You can still apply up to 15 days before travel, and decisions take up to 15 days, so submit a complete file at the earliest slot you can find and consider moving dates into January. Source: EU Visa Code, Articles 9 and 23.