Schengen Visa Processing Time & Fees for Indian Travel Agents 2026
The Schengen visa fee is €80 — but the total cost of getting that visa is much higher when you factor in VFS service fees, travel insurance, and the very real cost of appointment lead times. This article gives you the complete, accurate picture: what it actually costs, how long it actually takes, and how to plan around the biggest bottleneck — appointment availability.
Schengen Visa Fees 2026
| Applicant | Fee | INR Equivalent (~INR 90/€1) |
| Adults (12+ years) | €80 | ∼INR 7,200 |
| Children 6–11 years | €40 | ∼INR 3,600 |
| Children under 6 | Free | Free |
The €/INR rate fluctuates. Build a 5% buffer when quoting clients.
Important: The visa fee is non-refundable. Rejected or withdrawn applications do not get a refund. Communicate this clearly before clients commit to the application.
VFS Global Service Fees
Schengen applications go through VFS Global (or BLS International for Switzerland). These centres charge service fees on top of the embassy fee:
| Country | VFS Service Fee (INR, approx.) |
| France | INR 1,350–1,750 |
| Italy | INR 1,350–1,750 |
| Germany | INR 1,350–1,750 |
| Spain | INR 1,350–1,750 |
| Netherlands | INR 1,350–1,750 |
| Switzerland (BLS) | INR 1,500–2,000 |
VFS optional add-ons: Courier delivery (INR 500–700), Premium Lounge (INR 2,000–5,000).
Travel Insurance Cost
| Trip Duration | Insurance Cost per Person (INR) |
| 5–10 days | INR 800–1,500 |
| 10–15 days | INR 1,200–2,000 |
| 15–21 days | INR 1,500–2,500 |
| 21–30 days | INR 2,000–3,500 |
Total Cost Per Adult Applicant (Indicative)
| Component | Amount (INR) |
| Embassy visa fee (€80 × ~90) | INR 7,200 |
| VFS service fee | INR 1,500 |
| Travel insurance (10 days) | INR 1,200 |
| VFS courier/delivery | INR 600 |
| Total (indicative) | INR 10,500–11,500 |
When quoting Schengen packages, quote the total — not just €80. A client who sees €80 and then discovers INR 3,000+ in additional fees is an unhappy client.
Processing Time: The Honest Picture
Official guarantee: 15 calendar days for straightforward applications (from biometric appointment date). 30 days if further examination needed. 60 days in exceptional circumstances.
Peak season reality: During high-demand periods (March–October), actual processing frequently takes 20–45 days, especially for French and Italian consulate applications.
Planning rule for travel agents: For summer Europe travel (June–August), plan for 30–45 day processing. Apply at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
The Appointment Bottleneck
The processing time starts only after the biometric appointment. Getting that appointment is often the hardest part. During peak season, VFS appointment slots for French and Italian consulates fill up 4–8 weeks in advance.
Total timeline from “client confirms Europe” to “passport with visa in hand”: 10–12 weeks during peak season.
Solution: Book the VFS appointment the moment the client confirms the Europe package — before hotels are finalised, before all documents are gathered.
Annual Timing Guide
| Travel Period | Book VFS Appointment By |
| December–February | September |
| March–April (Easter) | January–February |
| May–June | February–March |
| July–August (Peak) | April |
| September–October | June–July |
| November | August |
How to Price Schengen Visa in Client Packages
Quote the total cost, not the embassy fee. Wrong: “Europe visa: €80 per person.” Right: “Europe visa including VFS service fee and mandatory travel insurance: INR 11,000 per person.”
Agent margin: Standard markup INR 500–2,000 per applicant over actual costs, covering your document collection, verification, appointment management, and follow-up time.
Insurance as a revenue line: Mandatory travel insurance is a natural additional margin line. Most insurers pay 15–25% agent commission.
FAQ
What is the Schengen visa fee for Indians in 2026?
€80 for adults (∼INR 7,200), €40 for children 6–11, free under 6. Total cost including VFS and insurance: INR 10,500–12,000.
How long does Schengen visa take for Indians in 2026?
Officially 15 calendar days from biometric appointment. During peak season, 20–45 days. Apply 6–8 weeks before departure during peak; 4–6 weeks off-peak.
Is there express Schengen processing?
No official express processing. Emergency/humanitarian cases may be processed faster at embassy discretion only.
Is travel insurance included in the Schengen visa fee?
No. Travel insurance is mandatory and purchased separately. Cost: INR 800–3,500 per person depending on trip length.
Can the Schengen fee be refunded if visa is rejected?
No. Non-refundable in all circumstances.
Conclusion
Schengen visa costs more and takes longer than any other leisure destination visa — and the appointment availability constraint is unique in its severity. The agents who manage this successfully treat VFS appointment booking as the first step after a client confirms a Europe package, not the last step before they need to travel.
Track Schengen visa applications and timelines on Vismora →