Indian travellers planning European holidays are now facing higher Schengen visa expenses, with VFS Global revising its service charges for several countries. The update has added more pressure on travellers already dealing with a weak rupee.

What Has Changed?
  • The base Schengen visa fee is still around ₹8,000–₹10,000 for adults.
  • However, VFS Global’s service fees which every applicant must pay have gone up.
  • The latest fee revision applies differently for each country.

    • Current VFS Service Charges (Approx.)

  • Germany: ₹1,933
  • Switzerland: ₹2,690
  • Portugal: ₹3,111
  • France: ₹2,234
  • Austria: ₹2,274

    • These amounts are in addition to the main visa cost, making Europe trips noticeably more expensive.

    Optional but Costly Add-Ons

    Travellers using VFS can also choose extra services, such as:

  • Courier delivery: ₹930
  • SMS updates: ₹450
  • ₹4,600 for entry to the Premium Lounge (not available in Delhi, Kolkata, or Jalandhar)
  • Combo package (SMS + courier): ₹1,250

    • While these are not mandatory, many applicants opt for them to avoid hassle.

    Why the Increase?

    According to VFS Global:

  • Fees are decided in agreement with individual governments.
  • Costs depend on factors like infrastructure, security standards, and expected visa volume.
  • For Switzerland, the latest hike was introduced in July 2025 under new contractual rules.

    • Bigger Picture for Indian Travellers

  • For a maximum of 90 days during a 180-day period, the Schengen visa permits admission into 29 European nations.
  • Direct embassy walk-ins are no longer possible applications must go through VFS, making these charges unavoidable.
  • The falling Indian rupee adds more strain:
  • 2015: €1 = ₹72.12
  • 2020: €1 = ₹84.64
  • 2023: €1 = ₹89.20
  • 2024: €1 = ₹90.55
  • Mid-2025: €1 crossed ₹100

    • This means that visa fees, flights, and daily expenses in Europe now cost significantly more than a decade ago.

    Final Take

    For Indians eyeing a European holiday, budget planning has become more crucial than ever. Higher visa charges and currency depreciation together mean travellers will need to factor in extra costs before booking their dream trip.

    Explore fresh visa announcements at Visabud