Short-stay visa (C) — tourism & visiting: Indian citizen in India → Germany
Indian citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa for Germany — apply at the Germany visa application centre and give biometrics.
Uniform Schengen short-stay visa for tourism or visiting, applied for through Germany as the main destination.
- Validity
- The consulate decides how long it lasts. A first or occasional visa usually just covers your trip; the more you travel (with a clean record), the longer a multiple-entry visa you can get — up to 5 years (the EU visa cascade).
- Entries
- Single, double or multiple entry — shown on the visa as 1, 2 or MULT
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period — this cap applies even with a 5-year visa
When to start
Start 30 days–6 months before your travel date.
Apply to Germany only if it is your main destination (longest stay) — applying elsewhere for a faster slot is a refusal reason.
Submit at least 15 days before travel and no earlier than 6 months beforehand. Apply early — appointment demand is high.
The Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–12 (reduced for some nationalities). A separate VFS service fee applies.
Biometrics and document submission are handled at VFS Global centres in India: Ahmedabad Bengaluru Chandigarh Chennai Cochin Coimbatore Goa Gurugram Hyderabad Jaipur Jalandhar Kolkata Mumbai Delhi Puducherry Pune. Book and attend in person.
Standard processing is about 15 days, extendable to up to 45 days if a closer examination or extra documents are needed. Don't book non-refundable travel yet.
After a decision, collect your passport from the visa application centre.
What you'll need
- Schengen application form — Filled out online via VIDEX, printed (all pages incl. barcodes) and signed; plus the signed declarations of true & complete information and of valid medical insurance. ✓ verified
- Valid passport — Issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your scheduled return, with at least two empty pages. A copy of the biometric & address page is also required. ✓ verified
- Biometric photo — At least one biometric picture, 35×45 mm, white background, 70–80% face coverage, not older than six months. ✓ verified
- Personal covering letter — Cover letter setting out your intended means of transport and itinerary, with a detailed travel plan. ✓ verified
- Proof of accommodation — Hotel reservations, holiday-home/campus rental, or — if staying with family/friends — host sponsorship and private-accommodation proof; cover every Member State you visit. ✓ verified
- Flight reservation — Round-trip flight reservation matching your travel dates. ✓ verified
- Proof of economic status — Employed: last 3 months' pay slips + employment contract + bank statements (stamped). Self-employed and retired applicants have their own variants; add sponsor documents if the trip is funded by a third party. ✓ verified
- Travel medical insurance — Valid for all Schengen countries and the entire duration of the trip; minimum coverage €30,000 for medical expenses. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Where you'll apply in India
Apply in your districtWho runs the centre: VFS Global (Germany's provider in India)
German missions in India work through VFS Global; your application goes to the German mission with jurisdiction over your area. Confirm the right centre on the official VAC address list.
Getting a slot — book early · community-reported, checked 2026-06-13
- Slots are released in batches with no fixed public schedule — most often early morning local time, on Monday mornings, and around the 1st of the month.
- For popular consulates (e.g. France, Italy and Spain in big cities), a fresh batch can be gone within minutes — be registered and logged in before you look.
- Cancellations free up slots throughout the day, so check daily even when it shows ‘no availability’.
- Because of this, apply as early as you are allowed — up to 6 months before travel. Waiting until 1–2 months out often means no slots are left at all.
Fees
Gotchas to watch
- The 90 days are counted across ALL Schengen countries combined in any 180-day window.
- A VFS service fee is charged on top of the €90 visa fee.