Indian passport holders must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa for tourism. This visa generally allows travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You should apply through the country that is your main destination; if visiting multiple countries equally, apply through the country of first entry. 

Basic Document Checklist

1. Schengen visa application form
   Fully completed and signed.
2. Valid Indian passport
   Passport should usually be:
   • Issued within the last 10 years
   • Valid for at least 3 months after planned exit from Schengen
   • Have at least 2 blank visa pages
3. Recent passport-size photographs
   Usually 35 × 45 mm, white background, recent, biometric format. Germany’s India checklist mentions 35 × 45 mm with 70–80% face coverage. 
4. Travel medical insurance
   Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, valid for the entire Schengen area and full stay, covering emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation. 
5. Flight reservation / itinerary
   Confirmed or verifiable round-trip flight reservation. Avoid buying non-refundable tickets before visa approval unless required.
6. Hotel bookings / accommodation proof
   Hotel reservations, tour package confirmation, or invitation/accommodation letter if staying with someone.
7. Day-wise travel itinerary
   Include cities, dates, hotels, transport between countries, sightseeing plans.
8. Proof of financial means
   Usually:
   • Last 3–6 months bank statements
   • ITR / Form 16 if available
   • Salary slips if employed
   • Business proof if self-employed
   • Sponsorship letter and sponsor documents, if sponsored
9. Employment / business / student proof
   • Employees: employment letter, leave approval, salary slips
   • Business owners: GST/company registration, business bank statements, ITR
   • Students: school/college ID, bonafide certificate, NOC if required
   • Retired applicants: pension proof or retirement documents
10. Cover letter
    Mention purpose of travel, travel dates, countries to visit, who is paying, employment/business background, and assurance of return to India.
11. Proof of ties to India
    This helps show return intention. Examples include job proof, business ownership, property documents, family ties, children’s school records, etc. The Netherlands checklist specifically asks for proof of social or economic ties based on applicant status. 
12. Previous travel history
    Copies of previous visas and entry/exit stamps, especially UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, or previous Schengen visas.

Visa Fees

As of current official fee references, Schengen visa fee is generally:

The rupee amount changes by exchange rate and country/VFS centre. VFS/service charges are extra and the visa fee is usually non-refundable. 

Biometrics

First-time Schengen applicants usually need to visit the visa centre in person for fingerprints and photo. Biometric data is normally stored for 59 months, so repeat applicants may not always need to give fingerprints again, depending on the embassy/VFS requirement. 

Important Points for Indian Tourists

Apply early, especially for summer, Christmas/New Year, and school holiday seasons. The EU’s favourable “cascade” rules for Indians may allow longer multiple-entry visas: after obtaining and lawfully using two Schengen visas in the previous three years, Indian nationals may be eligible for a two-year multiple-entry visa, followed by a five-year visa if passport validity allows. 

Final entry is still decided by immigration officers at the Schengen border, so travellers should carry hotel bookings, return tickets, insurance, and funds proof during travel.

Best practice

For the strongest file, submit a clear day-wise itinerary, matching hotel bookings, realistic funds, consistent employment/business documents, and a well-written cover letter. Avoid dummy documents, fake bookings, or unexplained large bank deposits.