Schengen visa gets expensive for Indians as VFS hikes service charges

The cost of obtaining a Schengen visa for Indian travelers has surged significantly in 2025 due to a steep hike in service charges by VFS Global, the agency responsible for processing visa applications for most European countries.

What's Changed?
- Base Visa Fee: Still around ₹8,000–₹10,000 for adults.
- VFS Service Charges: These are mandatory and have increased sharply across many countries:
- Switzerland: ₹2,690 (up from ₹1,180 in 2024 — a 127% increase)
- Portugal: ₹3,111
- France: ₹2,234
- Germany: ₹1,933
- Austria: ₹2,274

Optional Add-ons (Non-Negotiable Extras)
These services are optional but often necessary for convenience:
- Courier Delivery: ₹500–₹1,455 (e.g., Switzerland ₹930, Netherlands ₹1,455)
- SMS Updates: ₹300–₹800 (e.g., Switzerland ₹450, France ₹240)
- Premium Lounge Access: ₹4,600 (not available in Delhi, Kolkata, Jalandhar)
- Combo Service (SMS + Courier): ₹1,250

Why the Increase?
- VFS cites new contractual obligations, rising infrastructure costs, and security measures.
- All fees are approved by the respective European governments.
- Charges are euro-denominated, and the rupee’s depreciation (from ₹72.12 in 2015 to over ₹100 in 2025) has worsened the impact.

What This Means for Travelers
- A basic Schengen visa application now costs ₹12,000–₹14,000 per person, depending on the country and services chosen.
- With embassies no longer accepting walk-ins, using VFS is mandatory, making these fees unavoidable.