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Quick answer

Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (C) visa to visit Germany as tourists, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–12, plus the VFS Global service fee. Kerala residents can apply at the VFS Global centre in Kochi (Cochin) or any other VFS centre in India, because German Schengen visas are decided centrally by the Consulate General in Mumbai.

Germany visa for Indians at a glance

Visa needed for tourism?Yes – Schengen short-stay (C) visa12
Maximum stayUp to 90 days in any 180-day period2
Visa feeEUR 90 (adults); EUR 45 (children 6–12); free under 632
VFS service feeINR 2,065 per applicant (paid when booking the appointment)45
ProcessingStandard is 15 days; can be extended to 45 days. Germany says allow up to 6 extra working days for the file to reach the consulate21
Where Kerala residents applyVFS Global Kochi (Cochin), or any VFS centre in India67
Travel insuranceMandatory, minimum cover EUR 30,000, from an approved insurer89

Visa options for Indian passport holders

Schengen short-stay (C) visa – tourism / visiting family and friends135421011

Who can use it
All Indian ordinary passport holders
Stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Validity
Set by the consulate; see multiple-entry cascade in notes
Entries
Single, double or multiple
Fee
EUR 90 adults; EUR 45 children aged 6–12; EUR 0 under 6. Plus VFS service fee INR 2,065
Processing time
15 days standard, up to 45 days in individual cases (EU rule). Germany: average 15 days after the application reaches the Consulate; allow up to 6 working days for delivery from VFS
Where to apply
VFS Global (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/) – any centre in India, including Kochi
Good to know
Apply no earlier than 6 months and at least 15 days before travel. Germany returns unprocessed any application where travel is within 15 calendar days of the file reaching the visa section. Indians who obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years can get a two-year multiple-entry visa, and later a five-year visa, if the passport has enough validity. This is not an entitlement.

Documents to prepare

  • Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your planned return, with at least two blank pages.912
  • Completed online application form (VIDEX), printed with barcodes and signed, plus the signed declarations on true information and on travel medical insurance.59
  • One biometric photo (35x45 mm, white background), not older than six months.9
  • Cover letter and travel itinerary, flight reservation and hotel bookings (or host's invitation and proof of address).9
  • Last 3 months of bank statements stamped by the bank; if employed, 3 months' pay slips, leave letter from employer and ITR acknowledgment for the last two assessment years or Form 16.9
  • Travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries for the whole trip, minimum cover EUR 30,000. German missions accept Indian policies only from the approved insurers list.98
  • Fingerprints are taken at the VFS centre unless you gave them for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months.57

Before you fly and on arrival

  • The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational since 10 April 2026. Your face image and fingerprints are recorded at the border instead of a passport stamp.13
  • ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities. Indians travelling on a Schengen visa do not need ETIAS.14
  • A visa does not guarantee entry. Border officers can ask for proof of purpose, accommodation and enough money for the stay and return.12

Applying from Kerala

  • VFS Global runs a Germany visa centre in Kochi (Cochin), open Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00.6
  • Schengen visa processing is centralised at the German Consulate General in Mumbai, so you can book and submit at any VFS centre in India regardless of where you live.571
  • For national (long-stay) visas, Kerala falls under the German Consulate General in Bengaluru, which covers Karnataka and Kerala.157
  • The VFS service fee is paid when you book the appointment; the visa fee is paid at the appointment.35

Extending your stay

  • A Schengen visa allows a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries. Stays over 90 days need a national visa.2

What changed recently

  • 3 June 2026: Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport.16
  • 10 April 2026: The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational (it started on 12 October 2025).13
  • 18 April 2024: EU adopted the multiple-entry visa cascade for Indian nationals residing in India: two-year visa after two lawfully used visas in three years, then a five-year visa.1017

How Albah Holidays can help

  • We handle Germany visa applications from our office in Kozhikode — we check your case, give you the exact document checklist, fill in the application and book any appointment.
  • Where fingerprints or an interview are needed, you attend in person — we prepare you for it and follow up until the decision.
  • We arrange the travel medical insurance the Schengen visa requires.
  • Flights from Calicut, Kannur or Kochi, hotels and travel insurance — booked together with us.
  • Send your passport copy and travel dates on WhatsApp, or visit our office in Eranhipalam, Kozhikode.
  • Flights to Germany from Calicut, Kannur or Kochi, booked with your visa so the dates line up and the name on the ticket matches the passport.

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Frequently asked questions

Do Indians need a visa for Germany?

Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa for tourism, allowing up to 90 days in any 180-day period.12

How much is the Germany Schengen visa fee for Indians?

EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–12; children under 6 pay nothing. VFS charges a separate service fee of INR 2,065.34

Where do Kerala residents apply for a Germany tourist visa?

At VFS Global. There is a centre in Kochi, and you may use any VFS centre in India because Germany's Schengen visas are decided centrally in Mumbai.67

How long does a Germany Schengen visa take?

The EU standard is 15 days, extendable to 45 days. Germany says the average is 15 days after the file reaches the consulate, plus up to 6 working days for delivery.21

Can I get a multi-year Schengen visa?

Indians who got and lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years can be given a two-year multiple-entry visa, then a five-year one, if the passport is valid long enough. It is not guaranteed.101

Do I need ETIAS for Germany?

No. ETIAS is only for nationalities that do not need a visa. Indians need a Schengen visa instead.14

Official sources

  1. Schengen Visa — German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office). Page updated 2026-06-03; checked 24 September 2026.
  2. Applying for a Schengen visa — European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs. Page updated 2025-12-02; checked 24 September 2026.
  3. Visa fees for Schengen Visa — German Missions in India. Page updated 2026-08-27; checked 24 September 2026.
  4. Germany – Bengaluru jurisdiction – Short Term Visa (fees, processing, documents) — VFS Global (Germany's external service provider in India). checked 24 September 2026.
  5. Submission of Schengen visa application at a Visa Application Centre — German Missions in India. Page updated 2024-07-30; checked 24 September 2026.
  6. Germany Visa Application Centres in India – Attend a centre — VFS Global (Germany's external service provider in India). checked 24 September 2026.
  7. Germany – Apply for a visa (jurisdiction and Schengen centralisation) — VFS Global (Germany's external service provider in India). checked 24 September 2026.
  8. Information on Travel Medical Insurance — German Missions in India. checked 24 September 2026.
  9. Checklist for a Schengen visa for Tourism — German Missions in India. Page updated 2024-09-03; checked 24 September 2026.
  10. Commission Implementing Decision C(2024) 2434 – multiple-entry visas for Indian nationals residing in India — European Commission. Page updated 2024-04-18; checked 24 September 2026.
  11. Schengen Visa FAQs — German Missions in India. Page updated 2026-06-03; checked 24 September 2026.
  12. Common Information Sheet for Schengen Visa Applicants in India — Schengen States' consulates in India (published via VFS Global, linked by the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai). Page updated 2025-04-08 (PDF date); checked 24 September 2026.
  13. The Entry/Exit System will become fully operational on 10 April 2026 — European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs. Page updated 2026-03-30; checked 24 September 2026.
  14. ETIAS – Who should apply — European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu). checked 24 September 2026.
  15. German Consulate General Bengaluru — German Missions in India. checked 24 September 2026.
  16. Travel Facilitation at German Airports for Indian Nationals Takes Effect — German Missions in India. Page updated 2026-06-02; checked 24 September 2026.
  17. European Union adopts more favourable Schengen visa rules for Indians — Delegation of the European Union to India (EEAS). Page updated 2024-04-22; checked 24 September 2026.

Rules, fees and processing times can change without notice. Every fact on this page was checked against the official sources above on 24 September 2026. Confirm before you travel — we recheck the current rules for every application we handle.

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