The short answer
Book your VFS appointment 10–12 weeks before you fly. For a late-March departure, that's early to mid-January 2027. For a late-April departure, it's early to mid-February.
Apply to the consulate of the country where you spend the most nights. If two or more countries tie, apply to the country you enter first. On our spring trips, that's France for Paris to Prague and the Netherlands for Amsterdam to Budapest. Budget about ₹11,000–12,500 for the €90 fee plus the VFS charge.
Your dates, departure by departure
| Departure | Apply to | Book appointment | Legal last day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris to Prague 28 Mar – 8 Apr 2027 | France | 3 – 17 January 2027 | 13 March 2027 |
| Amsterdam to Budapest 31 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | Netherlands | 6 – 20 January 2027 | 16 March 2027 |
| Amsterdam to Budapest 28 Apr – 9 May 2027 | Netherlands | 3 – 17 February 2027 | 13 April 2027 |
- Paris to Prague, 28 Mar – 8 Apr 2027: Paris, Amsterdam and Prague get 3 nights each, Berlin 2. That's a tie, so you apply to the first country you enter: France.
- Amsterdam to Budapest, 31 Mar – 11 Apr 2027: Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest get 3 nights each, Berlin 2. That's a tie, so you apply to the first country you enter: the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam to Budapest, 28 Apr – 9 May 2027: Same route and same split of nights as the 31 March departure, so it's the Netherlands again.
Adding your own nights changes the count. For example, one extra night in Amsterdam before the Paris to Prague trip makes the Netherlands your main destination. Recount from your final bookings before you pick a consulate.
The timeline, working back from your flight
Now: the application window is already open
You can apply up to 6 months before you travel, so all three spring departures can be applied for today. You don't need to rush, but booking your trip and flights now gives you every document you'll need in good time.
12–10 weeks before departure: book the VFS appointment
This is the step that slips. Visa consultants say the spring squeeze starts early in the year, as students, conference travellers and summer holidaymakers all apply in the same months. Book the slot first, then build your paperwork around it.
8–6 weeks before: biometrics and submission
Attend the appointment with your full file. The consulate's standard decision time is 15 calendar days, which can stretch to 45 if they ask for more documents. Submitting six to eight weeks out leaves room for that.
15 days before: the legal last day
Schengen rules don't allow applications later than 15 days before departure. Treat this as an emergency deadline, not a plan. One document request at that stage and you miss the trip.
What it costs
The embassy fee is €90 for adults (€45 for children aged 6–12), and it's the same for every Schengen country. The VFS service charge is added on top and varies by country, at roughly ₹2,000–2,600. With the euro at around ₹110, that's about ₹11,000–12,500 in total. None of it is refunded if you're refused. Travel insurance with at least €30,000 of medical cover is mandatory, so budget for that too. If you're also pricing the trip, our Europe trip cost breakdown covers flights, GST, TCS and daily spends for the same four-city route.
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. For the 9 May return, that means valid until at least 9 August 2027
- Completed visa application form and recent photos in the Schengen format
- Return flight booking (into Paris or Amsterdam, out of Prague or Budapest) and accommodation for every night
- Travel insurance valid across the Schengen area with at least €30,000 of medical cover
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months and recent ITRs
- A leave letter from your employer or a college letter, plus a cover letter explaining the trip
The French and Dutch consulates each publish their own final checklist on their VFS page. Treat that as the official list, because small details differ between countries.
New at the border: the Entry/Exit System
The EU's Entry/Exit System has been fully live since 10 April 2026. The first time you enter the Schengen area, your passport is scanned and your fingerprints and photo are taken at passport control. You don't need to register before you fly. It has caused long queues at some big airports, though, so leave extra time after landing in Paris or Amsterdam, especially if you're meeting the group on Day 1.
Going with a group
Every traveller applies on their own, with their own appointment, documents and biometrics. If friends are booking together, book everyone's appointments on the same day and treat the latest slot as the group's deadline. Once you book a spring trip with us, we share the trip documents, a short application guide and templates for your visa file. Spending time in the Netherlands? All three spring departures are in Amsterdam during tulip season.
FAQ
When should I book my Schengen appointment for a late-March or April 2027 trip?
Book the VFS appointment 10–12 weeks before departure. For a 28 March departure that means 3–17 January 2027, for 31 March it's 6–20 January, and for 28 April it's 3–17 February. You can apply up to 6 months ahead and no later than 15 days before you fly.
Which country's consulate do I apply to for a multi-city Europe trip?
Apply to the country where you'll spend the most nights. If two or more countries tie, apply to the country you enter first. On our Paris to Prague trip that's France, and on Amsterdam to Budapest it's the Netherlands. If you add your own nights before or after the trip, recount, because the extra nights can change which consulate you apply to.
How much does a Schengen visa cost for Indians in 2027?
The embassy fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6–12, the same for every Schengen country. The VFS service charge (roughly ₹2,000–2,600 depending on the country) is added on top. All in, budget about ₹11,000–12,500 at today's euro rate. None of it is refunded if the visa is refused.
How long does a Schengen visa take from India in spring?
The standard decision time is 15 calendar days from the date the consulate receives your application, and it can be extended to 45 days. The bigger delay is usually getting an appointment slot, which is why you book the appointment 10–12 weeks out, not the decision.
Is there anything new at the border in 2027?
Yes. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully live since 10 April 2026. The first time you enter, border officers scan your passport, take your fingerprints and a photo. There's nothing to do before you fly, but allow extra time at passport control on arrival.
I've had Schengen visas before. Can I get a longer one?
Possibly. Since 18 April 2024 the EU's cascade rules for Indians mean that if you've obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas in the last three years, you can be issued a two-year multiple-entry visa, normally followed by a five-year one. It's at the consulate's discretion, so don't count on it, but mention your visa history in your application.
Do spring in Europe with a crew
Twelve days, four cities, with a Trip Leader and a group. Land package from ₹1,25,000 per person if you book by 28 December (Paris to Prague) or 31 December (Amsterdam to Budapest, 31 March departure), plus 5% GST and 2% TCS.