It can be hard to pick a single country when you’re planning a trip to Europe. Thankfully, with a Schengen visa, you can choose from 29 nations in one holiday.
This means you don’t have to apply for multiple visas and you don’t have to go through lengthy border check queues in these countries. This saves you time and hassle before and during your holiday.
Find out which countries are in the Schengen zone, how to apply for the right visa, how much it costs (and more) below. Then you can work out the best route to see the Eiffel Tower, la Sagrada Familia, the Leaning Tower of Pisa or which of Europe’s top landmarks most interests you.
Read more: How to plan a multi-city trip.
What is the Schengen Zone?
The Schengen Zone is a collection of 29 countries in Europe (plus three micronations) that have an agreement for open borders. This means that when you travel from one to another, you don’t need to go through border control.
With a single Schengen travel visa, you can move freely between these countries.
Which countries are in the Schengen Zone?
The majority of European countries have signed up for the agreement. This includes some of the most visited countries like Greece, Portugal and Switzerland, as well as some under-the-radar destinations. You can visit these countries on a Schengen visa:
| Schengen Zone countries | ||
| Austria | Greece | Norway |
| Belgium | Hungary | Poland |
| Bulgaria | Iceland | Portugal |
| Croatia | Italy | Romania |
| Czech Republic | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Denmark | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Spain |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| France | Malta | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands |
As well as these, you can also visit Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City through either France or Italy.
Although no date has been set, Cyprus will be joining the Schengen Zone in the near future. Some reports say this may happen in 2024 or 2025.
Which countries are not in the Schengen Zone?
While all Schengen countries are in Europe, not all countries in Europe are in the Schengen Agreement. There are currently 13 countries that haven’t signed up that you’ll need a separate visa for:
| Non-Schengen countries | ||
| Albania | Ireland | Serbia |
| Armenia | Macedonia | Ukraine |
| Azerbaijan | Moldova | United Kingdom |
| Belarus | Montenegro | |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Russia |
The United Kingdom includes the four nations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. If you want to visit any of these, a single visa covers all four of them.
It’s also worth noting that overseas territories of countries in the Schengen Zone (like France’s New Caledonia or Denmark’s Greenland) are not included in the agreement.
What are the different types of Schengen visas for Indians?
There are currently three types of Schengen visa available:
- Type A: Transit. This allows you to pass through an airport to somewhere else, but does not allow you to leave the airport.
- Type C: Short-term. This allows you to stay for up to 90 days in the Schengen Zone over a 180-day period. So you could, for example, spend 45 days in Spain, 90 in Albania and then another 45 in Italy (so long as you have all the right visas).
- Type D: Long-term. A visa that allows longer stays in order to live, work and study.
There used to be a Type B visa too, which allowed short stays of up to five days, but this was removed and applicants moved into a Type C visa.
Type C is the most common type and comes in three forms: single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. If you get a single-entry visa, you won’t be allowed to leave midway through your trip to visit a non-Schengen country like Ireland and then come back in.
What are the Schengen visa costs?
Although you may expect different Schengen visa types to have different costs, there’s actually not. It doesn’t matter if you want to transit or live there, if you want a single-, double- or multi-entry visa, the price remains the same. The only thing that changes your fee is how old you are:
- Adults (age 13 and up) pay €90 (roughly ₹8200)
- Children between 6 and 12 pay €45 (roughly ₹4100)
- There is no cost for children under six (but you do still need to apply for them)
Depending on who you apply for, there may be additional fees on top for their service.
How to apply for a Schengen visa from India
To get a Schengen visa in India you need to go to an application centre in person. You can find these in the following cities:
- Ahmedabad
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
To make your application, you need to choose the country you’re intending to visit. If you’re going to several countries, you should pick the one you’re going to spend the most time in. Before you do anything else, you should book flights and hotel that you can cancel without fees in case your visa application is rejected.
You’ll have to make an appointment rather than just turn up. You can do this six months before you travel but be sure to get there at least 45 days before your flight. Appointments themselves are free but some agencies will charge you to set one up. If more than one person is travelling, you’ll need an appointment for each one.
At your appointment, you’ll be asked to submit your documents, make your visa payment and answer some questions about your trip. You’ll be given a code should you need to track your application. These normally take 15 days but can take up to 45 days in some instances.
You’ll also be able to choose whether you pick up your passport or if you want to pay to have it couriered to you.
Required documents
All applicants (including children and babies) need to submit the following documents in either Dutch, English, French or Spanish:
- Passport (with at least two blank pages and three months’ validity after you leave the Schengen Zone)
- Evidence of legal residence in India
- A passport photo taken in the last six months
- Flight reservations in and out of Europe
- Proof of lodging
- Proof of financial means for the last three months, signed by the bank
- Tax returns for two years and proof of employment (eg payslips or a letter of contract)
- Proof of valid health insurance for the duration of your trip
If travelling as a sole carer with a child, you’ll need a written document saying you can take them out of the country. This can be a letter from the other parent or something showing that you have sole custody.
Top tips for travelling to Europe
Many countries in the Schengen Zone use the euro, but some like Denmark, Poland and Sweden don’t
There’s no universal language in Europe, but English, French and Spanish are widely spoken and understood
The weather can change dramatically: you’ll have to pack very differently for Portugal and Norway
Europe is an incredible continent full of culture, history and delicious food. Make your next trip a big one and tick off some of the world’s most iconic cities and sites.
Keen to go to Europe? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, car hire and hotels that you’ll need to book before you go.
