How Long Does a Schengen Visa Take? (2026 Guide)

A Schengen visa takes 7 to 15 calendar days to process once your application is lodged. The visa fee is EUR 90 for adults. Appointment wait times vary by consulate and season, so apply at least 6 weeks before travel.

Key facts

Standard processing time: 7 to 15 calendar days after appointment
Maximum processing time (EU rule): 15 calendar days (up to 30 or 60 in exceptional cases)
Adult visa fee: EUR 90 (approx. USD 100)
Child fee (age 6-11): EUR 45
Child fee (under 6): Free
Visa validity: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
Recommended lead time (peak season): 10 to 12 weeks before travel
Recommended lead time (low season): At least 6 weeks before travel

Overview

A Schengen visa takes 7 to 15 calendar days to process after you submit a complete application at the consulate or visa application centre. The standard adult visa fee is EUR 90 (approximately USD 100). Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45; children under 6 are exempt. Build in additional time for the appointment wait, which can add weeks during peak season.

What is the official Schengen visa processing time?

Under EU visa policy, consulates are required to decide on a short-stay Schengen visa application within 15 calendar days of receiving a complete file. In straightforward cases many consulates aim to return the decision within 7 to 10 working days, but 15 days is the reliable working figure to plan around.

The 15-day clock starts only after:

You attend your biometric appointment and submit all required documents.
The consulate confirms the file is complete.
Your visa fee of EUR 90 has been paid.

If the consulate requests additional documents or an interview, the clock can be paused and extended to a maximum of 30 days in exceptional circumstances, or up to 60 days where verification of travel documents is needed.

How long is the appointment wait on top of processing time?

The appointment wait is separate from the 15-day processing window and is often the bigger variable for Indian applicants.

Low season (November to February, excluding Christmas): 1 to 2 weeks at most major VFS or BLS centres across India.
Peak season (March to August, December): 3 to 6 weeks or more, particularly for France, Germany, Italy and Spain slots in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
Last-minute slots: Occasionally released 24 to 48 hours ahead; monitoring the portal daily can help.

As a practical rule, book your appointment at least 6 weeks before your intended travel date. For summer Europe travel (June to August), 10 to 12 weeks ahead is safer.

Check real-time appointment availability directly on the VFS Global or BLS International portal for the specific Schengen country you are applying to.

Which consulate should you apply to, and does it affect speed?

You must apply to the consulate of the main destination country — the country where you will spend the most nights. If nights are equal across countries, apply to the country of first entry.

Processing speed varies slightly by consulate:

Consulate	Standard processing	Notes
France	7-15 days	france-visas.gouv.fr
Germany	7-15 days	auswaertiges-amt.de
Other Schengen states	7-15 days	As per EU rules

All 27 Schengen states follow the same EU-mandated 15-day maximum, so the processing time itself does not differ meaningfully. What differs is appointment availability and document requirements.

For a full breakdown of requirements by country, see the Schengen Area visa guide and the dedicated France visa and Germany visa destination pages.

What is the total timeline from decision to travel?

A realistic end-to-end plan for an Indian applicant travelling in peak season:

Week 1: Confirm your main destination, gather documents, book accommodation and flights (refundable or with clear booking reference).
Weeks 2-4: Monitor appointment portal and book the earliest slot available.
Appointment day: Attend biometrics, submit documents, pay EUR 90 fee.
Days 1-15 after appointment: Consulate processes application.
Passport collection: Via VFS/BLS courier or in-person pickup.

Total elapsed time from decision to travel: allow 8 to 12 weeks in peak season to be safe.

What can slow down your Schengen visa application?

Several factors commonly delay decisions beyond the 7-day mark:

Incomplete document file (missing bank statements, insurance, or hotel bookings).
Travel insurance policy that does not meet the minimum EUR 30,000 medical cover requirement.
Inconsistencies between your itinerary, accommodation and leave letter.
Prior visa refusals not declared or explained adequately.
Queries sent to your employer or sponsor for verification.

A refusal or delay on a previous application can also prompt additional scrutiny. If you have had a refusal, read the Schengen visa rejection guide before reapplying.

What documents do you need to submit?

Completed Schengen visa application form (signed).
Valid passport with at least 3 months' validity beyond your return date and 2 blank pages.
Two recent passport-size photographs meeting Schengen photo specs.
Travel itinerary with confirmed flight bookings.
Hotel or accommodation confirmations for every night.
Travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 medical cover, valid across all Schengen states.
Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds.
Proof of employment or self-employment (letter, ITR, business registration).
Leave approval letter (for salaried applicants).
Proof of ties to India (property, family, business).

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the full application process, see Schengen Visa: Appointment to Decision, Step by Step.

How much does a Schengen visa cost and what fees should you budget for?

Government visa fee: EUR 90 per adult (approximately USD 100).
Children aged 6-11: EUR 45.
Children under 6: Free.
VFS or BLS service charge: Check the current rate on the portal at the time of booking; this is paid separately to the visa application centre.
Vistolane service fee: USD 19.00 if you use Vistolane to prepare and review your application.

The EUR 90 government fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. It is paid at the application centre on the day of your appointment.

For comparison, other popular destinations from India carry different fee structures. See the United Kingdom visa and United States visa pages for those breakdowns.

What is the validity of a Schengen visa once issued?

A standard short-stay Schengen tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The consulate decides the exact validity and number of entries (single, double or multiple) based on your travel history and application.

First-time Schengen applicants typically receive a single-entry visa with validity matching the trip duration plus a small buffer. Applicants with a strong Schengen travel history are more likely to receive a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 to 5 years.

The 90/180-day rule applies across all 27 Schengen countries combined, not per country.

For more detail on the Schengen Area visa and what the 90-day limit means in practice, visit the destination page.

Questions, answered

How long does a Schengen visa take to process from India?

Processing takes 7 to 15 calendar days after you submit a complete application at the visa application centre. This does not include the time you wait for an appointment, which can add 2 to 6 weeks depending on the season and consulate.

How early can I apply for a Schengen visa?

You can apply up to 6 months before your travel date. The earliest you should book an appointment is 6 months out. During peak summer season, Indian applicants should aim to apply 10 to 12 weeks before departure to account for appointment delays.

What is the Schengen visa fee for Indian applicants in 2026?

The standard government fee is EUR 90 per adult applicant. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45. Children under 6 are exempt. A separate service charge is payable to VFS or BLS at the time of booking. The government fee is non-refundable if the visa is refused.

Can a Schengen visa be processed faster than 15 days?

Some consulates aim to return decisions within 7 to 10 working days for straightforward applications. There is no official express or priority Schengen visa category available to Indian applicants. The 15-day maximum is the standard to plan around.

Which Schengen country consulate is fastest for Indian applicants?

All Schengen consulates follow the same EU-mandated 15-day processing limit, so headline processing times are identical. The practical difference lies in appointment availability. Check the VFS or BLS portal for each consulate to compare current wait times before deciding where to apply.

What happens if the consulate asks for additional documents?

If additional documents are requested, the 15-day clock can be extended to up to 30 days. In cases where travel document verification is needed, the limit is 60 days. Respond promptly to any request to avoid further delay or a refusal on administrative grounds.

How long is a Schengen visa valid once issued?

A standard short-stay Schengen tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all 27 Schengen states. The exact validity and number of entries granted depends on your travel history and the consulate's assessment of your application.