Germany Visa for Indians: how to apply?

Do Indians need a visa to travel to Germany?

Yes. Germany is in both the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area of European countries that have abolished border controls between each other - and Indians need a visa to enter.

What are Schengen countries? 

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Is a German visa easy to get?

Applying for a Schengen Visa to travel to Germany is a relatively simple process. For longer stays for work, there is a more complex national process as you must meet more criteria to gain the right to be employed in the country. If your trip is shorter than 90 days, the process should be fairly simple - providing you follow the steps outlined below and fill in your visa correctly.

How do I apply for a Germany Visa from India?

You will first need to work out which German visa from India you need, depending on your purpose, the length of your trip, and how many times you plan to visit.

The standard Schengen Visa, for trips lasting up to 90 days, is a short-stay visa, with longer stays requiring a work, study, or family reunion visa. Multiple-entry visas are also available if you plan on traveling regularly to the Schengen Area.

The holder of a Germany visa is allowed to travel for a period not exceeding 90 days during any 180-day period. 

You must apply for your visa no more than six months, and no fewer than 15 days, before your trip. You should obtain all the documents you need for your Germany visa, and attend an interview at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center.

How much does a German visa cost?

The German Schengen Visa costs €80 (approx. ₹ 6700) for adults and €40 for minors - while work permits (or visas) are €75. Visa fees are waived for children under six years of age, those traveling to Europe for study purposes, researchers, those under 25 years old traveling with charitable organizations, and those participating in sporting or cultural events.

What documents do I need to apply for a short-stay Germany Visa from India?

You can download a Schengen Visa application form here: AXA Schengen Visa Application.

In addition to this, you will need the following documents:

• two recently taken passport-style photos,
• an Indian passport or other travel documents that are no older than 10 years and valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Area.
• 1 copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
• Leave letter of your company (if employed)
• No-objection certificate of school or university (if student)
• a travel and medical insurance covering you up to costs of €30,000 
• personal covering letter with entire travel plan (itinerary)
• flight reservation, rail tickets, others
• proof of accomodation for your entire stay in the Schengen area
• proof of your civil status, like marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable
• Proof of financial status:
  • If employed: Payslips of the past three months / employment contract
  • If self-employed: Certificate of Proprietorship or other proof of ownership (proof of land title, proof of income from agriculture (sales form) etc.)
  • Personal original bank statement of the past three months with sufficient funds
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Form 16 (Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary)

All documents need to be presented in the given order in original. Should you wish to keep any original, kindly provide a copy (A4 size). DO NOT staple any documents.

Anyone applying for a German visa from India must be able to prove they have at least €45 per day of their trip.

Note: You can only travel to Germany if you are fully vaccinated by a vaccine listed on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Institute (including Covishield).

Source: German Missions in India

What additional documents do I need to get a Germany Visa to work or study?

If you are planning to work or study in Germany for fewer than 90 days, then you will need additional documents to obtain your visa. These include an employment contract, a current bank statement, a no objection letter from your Indian employer, and an income tax return. The self-employed need an income tax return, and a company bank statement, as well as any licensing documentation. As a student, you will need proof of enrolment at an educational institution in the Schengen Area, and ideally a no objection letter from your current institution.

Anyone can apply for a German work visa for longer than 90 days - including those who are self-employed or wish to seek a job when they arrive in the country, but you are most likely to be accepted if you already have a job offer, have strong academic or technical qualifications, or are skilled in a field which has a shortage of workers.

Those with a degree recognized by German authorities, with a job offer with a salary of more than €55,200 are entitled to an EU Blue Card, allowing them to work in Germany. Those with degrees in mathematics, IT, life sciences and engineering sectors may be able to obtain a blue card with a salary of €43,056. If you do not qualify this way, you will need to check your degree is equivalent to a German one and whether you may need additional qualifications to meet the authorities’ criteria to take up your job offer in Germany. Those with vocational rather than academic qualifications may also find employment in Germany if their skills fit a whitelist of professions in which the country has a skills shortage.

Where do I apply for a Germany Visa in India?

The German authorities outsource their visa applications process to the companyVFS Global which deals with initial applications on behalf of Germany. You can apply online via the VFS Global website, and you will need to attend an interview at one of the VSF Global centers, which are located in

• Mumbai,
• Pune,
• Puducherry,
• Chennai,
• Jalandhar,
• Jaipur,
• Hyderabad,
• Goa,
• New Delhi,
• Kochi,
• Chandigarh,
• Ahmedabad,
• Kolkata,
• Coimbatore,
• Gurugram,
• Thiruvananthapuram,
• and Bengaluru.

You can also file your Schengen visa application at the German Mission of your local jurisdiction

Applicants for a Short Term and Long Term Visa from Mumbai jurisdiction can schedule their appointment by contacting on 022 67866013

Applicants for a Long Term Visa from Chennai jurisdiction can schedule their appointment by contacting us on 022 67866013

Applicants for a Long Term Visa from Bangalore jurisdiction can schedule their appointment by contacting us on 022 67866013

Applications should take around 15 days but can take up to 30 days to process, especially during busy periods. However, in some cases, it may take up to 60 days.

Embassy of Germany in India
6, 50G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India
+91 11 4419 9199

Opening hours - Embassy
Monday - Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00 Hrs
Friday: 08:00 - 14:00 Hrs
Consular Services: Monday - Friday 08:30 - 11:30 Hrs 

Consular districts for India:
States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Union Territories Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Minicoy and Amindive.

Website: German Missions in India

We are doing our best to provide you the most reliable and updated information possible but rules and regulations concerning visas can be modified at all times by the consulate of your country if circumstances require it. Consequently, we can not be held accountable for these changes. 
Please contact the German Embassy to obtain the specific terms and conditions in effect at the moment of the submission of your visa application. 

Why choose AXA Schengen Insurance?

AXA’s Low Cost Schengen Travel Insurance costs only €22 per week of your trip and will meet your visa requirements, while the AXA Schengen Europe Travel Insurance offers extended coverage up to costs of €100,000. Those seeking a multiple-entry visa can purchase the Multi Trip insurance from €328 per year, which again covers you for expenses up to €100,000.

How to apply for other Schengen countries from India ?

Apply for a Schengen visa in India

Apply for Switzerland visa from India

Apply for Spain visa from India

Apply for Greece visa from India

Apply for France visa from India

Apply for Czech Republic visa from India

Apply for Belgium visa from India

Apply for Italy visa from India

Apply for Netherlands visa from India

Apply for Portugal visa from India

Apply for Denmark visa from India

Apply for Iceland visa from India

Frequently asked questions about Germany visas from India