The year-end holidays of 2025 are closing near and are only a few months away. For many travel enthusiasts, be they couples, families or friends, European countries have always been an evergreen travel destination.
But there’s a twist. The Schengen visa fees aren’t uniform when it comes to total out-of-pocket costs for Indian travellers. While the base fee is fixed across most Schengen countries, service charges vary by country, turning the final expense up or down.
For travel enthusiast professionals planning year-end getaways, understanding this cost breakup and how sometimes a travel loan could help manage it is the step to stress-free trip planning.
Read on to learn more about the updates on charges for the Schengen visa, as well as the complete list of charges for every country, so that you can make your year-end trip plan accurately.
The Basics: Standard Schengen Visa Fees
First things first, even though the terms ‘European countries’ and ‘Schengen countries’ have been used interchangeably, they are not the same.
The EU originally consisted of 27 countries to create a single market with free movement of goods, services, capital and people, as well as to promote peace, shared values and economic stability.
The Schengen area, on the other hand, is a zone of 29 European countries that have officially abolished internal border controls. It’s a system that allows for passport-free travel and stays between member states (90-180 days). The Schengen Area includes 25 of the 27 EU member states, as well as four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The European Commission sets a fixed Schengen visa fee for all 29 member countries:
It is important to note that this is the non-refundable consular fee. |
What creates cost differences is the VFS Global service charges, payable separately in INR.
Add fluctuating exchange rates and your France trip wouldn’t cost the same as a Germany trip, at least in terms of visa paperwork.
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Schengen Visa Fee Breakup by Country
Most embassies are no longer accepting walk-in Visa submissions, making VFS unavoidable for travellers. This makes the VFS charges unavoidable as well.
Here’s the latest country-wise breakdown for Indian applicants (as of August 2025):
|
Schengen Country |
VFS Service Fee (INR) |
Total Estimated Cost (INR) |
|
Austria |
₹2,274 |
approx. ₹11,274 |
|
Belgium |
approx. ₹2,475 |
approx. ₹11,475 |
|
Croatia |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Czech Republic |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Denmark |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Estonia |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Finland |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
France |
₹2,234 |
approx. ₹11,234 |
|
Germany |
₹1,933 |
approx. ₹10,933 |
|
Greece |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Hungary |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Iceland |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Italy |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Latvia |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Liechtenstein |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Lithuania |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Luxembourg |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Malta |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Netherlands | Varies | approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Norway |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Poland |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Portugal |
₹3,111 |
approx. ₹12,111 |
|
Slovakia |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Slovenia |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Spain |
approx. ₹2,000 |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Sweden |
Varies |
approx. ₹11,000 |
|
Switzerland |
₹2,690 |
approx. ₹11,690 |
Note: INR amounts may fluctuate daily with exchange rates. There could also be a charge updated according to the respective VISA facilitation centre’s discretion. Always check the specific embassy or VFS Global portal before applying.
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Why Some Countries Cost More
Service charges depend on VFS contracts with individual embassies.
For example, Portugal adds over ₹3,000 in service fees, while Germany keeps it under ₹2,000. That’s a difference of nearly ₹1,200 per applicant, significant for families or group travellers. Imagine you are a group of 10 people.
That means an approximate difference of ₹12,000 between a trip plan to Portugal and a trip plan to Germany.
For many, these seemingly small differences add up when paired with rising airfares, accommodation and seasonal expenses. If you’re short on liquidity, exploring financing options such as a travel loan at competitive interest rates may help make the trip planning more affordable with EMIs.
The Option of Travel Loan: Purely for Enjoyment
For sudden trip planners or families applying together, visa costs plus travel expenses may stretch your budget thin. This is where a travel loan comes in:
- Instant approval: Many lenders provide options for instant approval for travel loans, letting you have funds when you need to grab tickets or book accommodations right when you need them.
- Flexible EMIs: As with the case of most of the loan options, EMIs help you spread the expense across set tenures, making a large upfront payment easier. However, it is wise to use tools like an EMI calculator to estimate what options work for your finances.
- Better cash flow: This way, your savings will be untouched and can be kept safe in case of emergencies.
Here is a smart tip: Check your credit score beforehand to know if you qualify for lower travel loan interest rates.
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Travel Smarter, Plan Ahead
If you are planning for a year-end Schengen trip, it is best to start your preparation now. Here are certain things to look for if you have decided on your trip.
- Compare visa fees by country (small differences matter for group travel).
- Consider forex changes and apply a rate closer to a stable INR-EUR rate.
- Plan your budget beyond visa fees: don’t forget to consider insurance, transport and local taxes.
- Explore financing only if you can comfortably manage EMIs.
The Final Word
A year-end trip can be exciting and rewarding for the year-long hard work. But if you are planning for the Schengen countries, be careful and plan ahead.
Choose your destination, consider all charges, find some emergency funds and prepare yourself for the fun. For Indian travellers, that means smarter budgeting, especially with year-end holidays looming.
If finances feel tight, a travel loan can help you close the gap, giving you flexibility without sacrificing your savings. Plan early, calculate wisely and let your European adventure begin, without the money stress.
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