The short answer
Submit your application 8–10 weeks before you fly, and book the appointment before that. For a departure around 22 December, book your VFS appointment in late September or early October.
The official decision time is 15 calendar days, but that's rarely where the delay comes from. The problem is getting an appointment in the first place. December and January are peak months for Schengen applications from India, and appointment waits can double or triple compared with the rest of the year. France is usually the slowest, with slots often filling 6–8 weeks ahead. Year-end trips from India are also more popular than ever this year, and December bookings are reported to be up 20–25% on last year.
Timeline for a 22 December departure
Now (late September – early October)
Book your visa appointment. December and January are peak months, and waits can double or triple compared with the rest of the year. France is usually the slowest, often filling 6–8 weeks ahead.
Before your appointment
Get your documents together: flight booking, hotel bookings, travel insurance, bank statements, ITRs and a leave letter from your employer. Missing paperwork is the most common reason people have to rebook.
Mid-October to early November
Submit biometrics and your application at the VFS centre. This leaves enough time for the standard 15-day decision and any extra time the consulate needs.
Latest possible date (early December)
The legal minimum is 15 days before departure, which for a 22 December trip means about 7 December. Treat this as a last resort, because one request for more documents would mean missing the trip.
What it costs
The embassy fee is €90 for adults (€45 for children aged 6–12). It's the same for all 29 Schengen countries, so applying to one country instead of another won't save you money. The VFS service charge is added on top, and none of it is refunded if your visa is refused. Travel insurance with at least €30,000 of medical cover is mandatory, so include that in your budget as well.
Document checklist
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, with 2 blank pages
- Completed and signed visa application form, plus recent photos that meet Schengen specifications
- Return flight booking and hotel or hostel bookings for every night of the trip
- Travel insurance valid across the Schengen area, with at least €30,000 of medical cover
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months, plus recent ITRs
- A leave letter from your employer or an enrolment letter from your college, and a cover letter explaining your trip
Each consulate publishes its own final checklist on its VFS page. Use that as the official list, because requirements can differ slightly between countries.
Going with a group? Book appointments early
Every traveller in your group applies individually, so each person needs their own appointment, documents and biometrics. If one person gets a late slot, the whole group is waiting on them. Book everyone's appointments at the same time and treat the slowest one as the group's deadline. Our Central Europe Christmas and New Year trip runs 22 December 2026 – 2 January 2027 through Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Budapest. Once you book, we'll share the itinerary details you need for your application.
FAQ
How early should Indians apply for a Schengen visa for December travel?
Aim to submit your application 8–10 weeks before departure, and book the appointment even earlier. December and January are peak season at Schengen visa centres in India, and appointment waits can double or triple. For a 22 December departure, that means booking your appointment in late September or early October. You can apply up to 6 months before your trip and no later than 15 days before it.
How much does a Schengen visa cost for Indians in 2026?
The embassy fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–12. It's the same for every Schengen country. The VFS service charge and any optional extras are added on top. None of these fees are refunded if the visa is refused.
How long does a Schengen visa take to process from India?
The standard decision time is 15 calendar days from when the consulate receives your application. It can be extended to 45 days if they need more documents or checks, and extensions are more likely in peak season. Processing time is separate from the wait for an appointment, so you need to allow for both.
Which country's embassy should I apply to for a multi-country Europe trip?
Apply to the country where you'll spend the most nights, which is your main destination. If you spend the same number of nights in two or more countries, apply to the country you enter first. On a multi-city trip like Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Budapest, this depends on the exact split of nights, so check it against your final itinerary before booking an appointment.
Can I book an appointment at a VFS centre in a different city?
Usually, yes. Most Schengen countries let you apply at any of their VFS centres in India, regardless of where you live. If your city is fully booked, check nearby cities. Each consulate sets its own rules, so confirm on the official VFS page for your country before you travel for an appointment.
Spending Christmas and New Year in Europe?
Twelve days with a group: Christmas across Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague, then New Year's Eve in Budapest. See the itinerary, what's included and current pricing.