Schengen Visa
A single visa that lets you enter 29 European countries — but you must apply through the specific country you'll spend the most time in.
The Schengen Visa is a single permit that grants entry to 29 European countries (the Schengen Area). Switzerland, Norway, France, Germany, Italy, Spain — they're all in. UK and Ireland are not.
The main-stay rule: you apply at the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most nights. If your trip is 6 nights Italy + 3 nights Spain + 1 night France, you apply at the Italian embassy. Misjudge this and they reject you.
Indian-specific gotchas: 1. Slot scarcity. VFS slots for Germany, France, Italy book out 8–12 weeks ahead in summer. Apply 90 days before travel. 2. Sufficient funds. ~€50–100/day of travel showing in your last 3 bank statements; ₹2.5–5L visible balance is the safe zone. 3. Travel insurance is mandatory — €30,000 medical coverage. SafetyWing/Tata AIG/Bajaj Allianz all qualify for ~₹1,500–3,000. 4. Return ticket required. Don't book it before approval; use a free hold from Skyscanner or a refundable fare on Emirates/Lufthansa.
- France: ~90%
- Germany: ~88%
- Spain: ~85%
- Italy: ~75%
- Switzerland: ~70% (stricter on first-time travelers)
- Netherlands: ~85%
Multi-entry hack: if you've had any one approved Schengen visa in the last 3 years and used it cleanly, your next application qualifies for a 1–5 year multi-entry visa. Apply through France or Germany — both grant multi-entry generously to repeat travelers.