Discover new Schengen visa rules for Indian tourists in 2025!

Have you ever considered going on a trip across Europe? Whether you want to experience France's romantic and cultural destination, explore paradise-like beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant nightlife in Spain, or ski and snowboard in the Swiss Alps, whatever you choose, Europe has a lot to offer. 

However, while travelling across Europe has been tempting for many, it was not always the most accessible option. Although 29 European countries allow tourists to enter with Schengen (short-term) visas, the validity duration is relatively low, requiring Indians to apply for repeated visa applications. 

However, recently, the European Commission adopted new Schengen visa rules for Indians, which can make this process simpler. But what are the changes, how do they impact you, what are their benefits, how to apply for a Schengen visa from India, and more? Keep reading to find out.

What is the Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a short temporary entry permit to enter the countries of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that have dissolved internal borders and visas for individual countries to enable ease of travel and convenience for their citizens. This, in turn, also opens up an opportunity for Indians and other foreign nationals to travel and visit several European countries at once without having to get an individual visa for each country.

What are the new Schengen visa rules?

On April 18th, the European Commission adopted new rules for Indian citizens to benefit from when acquiring a Schengen visa. These new rules enable Indians with an established travel history to get ​​easier access to visas with multi-year validity to the Schengen Area. 

This benefit is referred to as a cascading regime, which enables Indian citizens living in India to avail long-term, multi-entry Schengen (short-term) visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. A five-year visa will generally follow the two-year one if the passport has sufficient validity. During the validity period of these visas, holders of Schengen visa from India enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals.

How do the new rules impact travellers with Schengen visa from India?

The new rule benefits holders of Schengen tourist visas from India. It makes it easier and more accessible for established travellers to visit Europe, allowing them to enjoy near visa-free travel rights. Although travellers with Schengen visas are not allowed to work there, it is beneficial for those who wish to travel across the Schengen area for tourism and dream about country-hopping across Europe to explore all this culturally rich and beautiful continent offers.

How to apply for Schengen visa from India?

Before considering “how to get Schengen visa from India,” a traveller must first understand the documents and eligibility criteria required to obtain a Schengen visa from India. Here are some of the essential documents needed to obtain a Schengen visa India:

1. Filled out the visa application form
2. Copy of the passport with at least two blank pages and three months of validity
3. Copy of previous visas
4. Passport-size photograph
5. Itinerary with travel dates and flight numbers
6. Copy of the Schengen travel insurance policy, which covers medical emergencies and is also valid for all Schengen countries
7. Proof of accommodation
8. Proof of sufficient funds to support the expenses during the travel

Once these documents are in hand, travellers can submit them and pay the visa application fees to apply for a visa appointment. As all Schengen visa applicants in India must appear in person to provide biometric data, consider using at least 20 days before the departure date and preferably even earlier.

This is because while the consulate's decision on the approval might take up to 15 days, it might take longer in certain exceptional circumstances where more scrutiny is required.

Why is it essential to get travel insurance for Schengen visa?

Europe has much to offer travellers, whether through its culturally rich heritage, dense history, eye-catching naturally generated landscapes, or famous nightlife. Its wealth of attractions draws in many tourists from all over the world, especially from France and Spain, which are some of the most visited countries in the world.

However, while Europe has much to offer, travelling is also costly. Whether it is the cost of travel, accommodation, daily expenses, or internal transport, travellers planning a trip across Europe should opt for travel insurance to secure their journey and travel with confidence. 

This is because even beyond the mandatory requirement of travel insurance for Schengen tourist visa from India, international travel insurance provides immediate financial protection against covered risks, enabling travellers to face these risks without fear. 

So whether you are faced with medical or non-medical travel-related risks such as loss of checked-in baggage, medical emergency, personal accident, trip cancellation, or missed connection, with the right travel insurance, the world is your stage to explore at your own pace with confidence and peace of mind.

Know more about: Different types of passports and visa.

Conclusion

These new rules are highly beneficial for Indians and are expected to boost accessibility and make the travel process much smoother and more convenient. So whether you are planning a trip to just one country or multiple countries across Europe, European travel is now better than ever with the new multi-trip, long-duration cascading regime. However, wherever you wish to travel, get the right travel insurance to secure your journey and travel with confidence and peace of mind.

FAQ’s

1. How long does it take to get a Schengen visa from India?

The processing time for a Schengen visa from India typically takes 15 calendar days from the date of your visa appointment and biometric submission. However, during peak seasons or due to high application volumes, this duration can extend up to 30 or even 60 days. It’s advisable to apply at least 3 to 6 weeks in advance of your intended travel date.

2. Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa from India?

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all Indian applicants applying for a Schengen visa. The insurance must:

• Cover a minimum of €30,000 (approximately ₹27 lakh)
• Be valid for the entire duration of stay
• Cover all Schengen member countries
• Include emergency medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation

Without valid insurance, your visa application can be rejected.

3. Can I visit multiple countries with one Schengen visa?

Yes, you can visit multiple Schengen countries with a single visa, as long as the visa is valid and permits multiple entries if needed. The key points to remember:

• Apply through the country where you’ll spend the most days
• If duration is equal in multiple countries, apply through the one you’ll enter first
• Ensure your itinerary is clear and documented