“The Schengen visa fee is €90” — but that’s nowhere near what you actually pay. Once you add the VFS service charge, mandatory insurance, photos and courier, the real total for an Indian applicant in 2026 is closer to ₹11,000–₹15,000 per person. And it has crept up: the base fee plus VFS service-charge hikes pushed total costs up roughly 15–20% over 2025–26. This guide breaks down exactly what a Schengen visa costs from India in 2026 — every line item, the hidden add-ons, a country-by-country view, child fees, and a detailed FAQ — so there are no surprises.
Want the full picture and a file done right? FastVisa123 builds your complete embassy-ready application for a flat ₹10,000 — government and VFS fees are separate and paid by you.
The real total cost, line by line (2026)
| Item | Approx. cost (adult) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy visa fee | €90 (~₹9,100) | Unchanged in 2026; non-refundable even if refused |
| VFS service charge | ₹1,900–₹3,100 | Varies by country; rose in 2026 |
| Travel insurance | ₹300–₹1,500 / week | €30,000 cover, all Schengen, mandatory |
| Photos (35×45mm) | ₹150–₹300 | Two recent biometric photos |
| Photocopies + courier | ₹300–₹600 | Passport return by courier |
| Typical total | ₹11,000–₹15,000 | Per adult, excluding optional add-ons |
Why it went up: the €90 base fee is the same in 2026, but VFS Global raised its service charges mid-year and insurance premiums rose, so the all-in cost for Indian applicants increased roughly 15–20% over 2025–26. The fee is reviewed by the EU about every three years, so another base revision could come by 2027.
Optional VFS add-ons (you don’t have to pay these)
VFS sells legitimate extras that are convenient but not required: premium lounge, prime-time appointments, SMS/email tracking, photo service, form-filling assistance, and doorstep document pickup. Each adds a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees. They can save time in peak season, but your application is judged the same with or without them — so skip any you don’t need.
Cost by country (approximate, 2026)
| Country | Embassy fee | VFS charge (approx.) | Typical all-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €90 | ₹1,900–₹2,500 | ₹11,500–₹14,000 |
| France | €90 | ₹2,000–₹3,100 | ₹12,000–₹15,000 |
| Italy | €90 | ₹2,000–₹2,800 | ₹12,000–₹14,500 |
| Spain | €90 | ₹1,900–₹2,700 | ₹11,500–₹14,000 |
| Switzerland | €90 | ₹2,000–₹3,000 | ₹12,000–₹15,000 |
Figures are indicative and change with the euro rate and VFS revisions. Always confirm on the official VFS page for your destination.
Child and family fees
Children aged 6–12 pay a reduced embassy fee of €45 (about ₹4,500), and children under 6 are usually exempt from the embassy fee. VFS service charges and insurance still apply per person, so a family of four typically pays less than four full adult fees but should budget for everyone’s insurance and VFS charges.
Schengen visa cost from India: what to do vs what to avoid
Spend on what matters; skip what doesn’t.
✅ What to do
- Budget ₹11,000–₹15,000 per adult, all-in
- Buy compliant €30,000 insurance (don’t skimp)
- Pay official fees only on VFS/BLS
- Confirm the current VFS charge for your country
- Budget insurance and VFS per person for families
❌ What to avoid
- Assume €90 is the total cost
- Pay agents who hide or inflate fees
- Buy unnecessary premium add-ons
- Pick the cheapest non-compliant insurance
- Forget the fee is non-refundable if refused
One flat, transparent fee for the hard part. FastVisa123 builds your file for ₹10,000 — you pay the government and VFS charges directly.
How FastVisa123 keeps costs transparent
FastVisa123 charges a flat ₹10,000 to build your complete, embassy-ready application — and we never bundle hidden charges. Government and VFS fees (the €90 visa fee, VFS service charge and insurance) are paid by you directly to the official channels, exactly as the rules require, so you always know where every rupee goes.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much does a Schengen visa really cost from India in 2026?
FastVisa123 explains the all-in cost is usually ₹11,000–₹15,000 per adult — the €90 embassy fee (about ₹9,100) plus the VFS service charge, mandatory insurance, photos and courier. The €90 alone is not the real total.
2. Is the €90 fee the only thing I pay?
FastVisa123 clarifies no — on top of €90 you pay a VFS service charge of ₹1,900–₹3,100, insurance, photos and courier, which together add several thousand rupees.
3. Has the Schengen visa fee increased in 2026?
FastVisa123 notes the €90 base fee is unchanged in 2026, but VFS service charges and insurance rose, so total costs for Indians went up roughly 15–20% over 2025–26.
4. Is the visa fee refundable if I’m refused?
FastVisa123 stresses no — the embassy fee is non-refundable even if your visa is refused, which is why getting the application right the first time matters so much.
5. How much is the VFS service charge?
FastVisa123 notes it is roughly ₹1,900–₹3,100 depending on the country, and it is separate from the embassy fee. Always confirm the exact figure on the official VFS page for your destination.
6. How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
FastVisa123 finds compliant €30,000 insurance costs about ₹300–₹1,500 per week depending on age and trip length, and seniors pay more. Never buy cheaper non-compliant cover just to save money.
7. Do children pay the full fee?
FastVisa123 explains children aged 6–12 pay a reduced €45 embassy fee and under-6s are usually exempt, though VFS charges and insurance still apply per person.
8. Are the VFS premium services worth paying for?
FastVisa123 notes add-ons like premium lounge or prime-time appointments are legitimate and can save time in peak season, but they do not affect your approval, so skip any you don’t need.
9. Can I avoid the VFS service charge?
FastVisa123 explains the basic service charge is mandatory when you apply through a VFS centre, but you can avoid optional add-ons. Applying directly at a consulate, where allowed, may differ.
10. Why did my agent quote much more than ₹15,000?
FastVisa123 cautions that some agents bundle large markups into the cost; the official fees are fixed, so ask for an itemised breakdown and pay government and VFS charges yourself.
11. Does the cost differ by country?
FastVisa123 notes the €90 embassy fee is the same, but VFS service charges vary slightly by country, so the all-in total ranges from about ₹11,500 to ₹15,000.
12. How do I pay the visa fee?
FastVisa123 explains you pay at the VFS centre at your appointment, by the accepted methods, and the fee is charged in rupees based on the current euro rate.
13. Does the euro exchange rate change the cost?
FastVisa123 confirms yes — because the fee is €90, the rupee amount moves with the exchange rate, so it can be slightly higher or lower than ₹9,100 on any given day.
14. Is there a separate fee for biometrics?
FastVisa123 notes biometrics are included in the standard process, and since they are reusable for five years you may even skip the in-person step on a later application.
15. What if I use a courier to return my passport?
FastVisa123 explains courier return is an optional paid service of a few hundred rupees; you can also collect your passport in person to save it.
16. Do I pay again if I have to reapply after a refusal?
FastVisa123 confirms yes — a fresh application means paying the fees again, which is another reason to build a strong file the first time.
17. Are there any free parts of the process?
FastVisa123 notes booking the appointment itself is free on official VFS/BLS portals, and anyone charging to “guarantee” a slot is running a scam.
18. How much should a family of four budget?
FastVisa123 suggests budgeting per person — full fees for adults, reduced for children 6–12, free embassy fee for under-6s — plus insurance and VFS charges for everyone, so roughly ₹35,000–₹50,000 for a family of four.
19. Does FastVisa123’s ₹10,000 include the government fees?
FastVisa123 clarifies no — the flat ₹10,000 is only our professional fee to build your file. The €90 visa fee, VFS charge and insurance are separate and paid directly by you.
20. How can I keep my total cost down without risking refusal?
FastVisa123 advises skipping unnecessary add-ons and shopping insurance, but never cutting corners on compliant insurance or document quality, since a refusal means paying the whole fee again.
Sources & methodology
Fee and cost figures reflect 2026 reporting and official guidance, including VFS Global India information and cost breakdowns from travel-visa resources such as SchengenVisaSupport. The €90 fee is set under the EU Visa Code. Rupee amounts vary with the euro rate and VFS revisions; always confirm on the official VFS page for your destination.
Apply for your visa — country guides
- Germany visa from India
- France visa from India
- Switzerland visa from India
- Italy visa from India
- Spain visa from India
FastVisa123 builds your complete application for a flat ₹10,000 — official fees paid by you.
Worried about losing money if refused? See book flights & hotels without losing money.
Official source: European Commission — official Schengen visa policy