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🇮🇳INDIA
🏳SEIN-SE

Do India passport holders need a visa to visit SE?

Indian ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Sweden for tourism. ETIAS does not apply to visa-required nationals. Sweden is a member of the Schengen Area, and India is on the list of countries whose citizens must obtain a visa before travel. An Indian ordinary passport holder cannot enter Sweden visa-free for tourism: you must apply for a Schengen uniform short-stay visa (Type C) before departure. Applications are lodged through VFS Global on behalf of the Embassy of Sweden in India, with biometrics (fingerprints and photo) collected at a VFS centre. The visa permits stays of up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. The government visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6-12, plus a separate non-refundable VFS service charge. Mandatory requirements include travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, return travel, and ties to India. Note: ETIAS (expected late 2026) is only for visa-exempt nationalities and does NOT replace the visa requirement for Indian citizens. Since 10 April 2026, entry/exit is recorded biometrically via the EES at the border, but this is automatic and requires no advance application.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C / uniform visa)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multiple entry (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (adult) + VFS service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
15 calendar days (standard); can extend to 30-45 days
standard track
Validity
Per visa sticker; up to 90 days within validity window
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa type and apply through VFS Global
Indian passport holders must apply for a Schengen Type C tourist visa via VFS Global, the official partner of the Embassy of Sweden in India. Sweden must be your main destination (longest stay) or first point of entry.
· VFS Global· Type C
/02
Complete the online application form
Fill in the Schengen visa application form accurately, declaring travel dates, purpose (tourism), and itinerary. Print and sign it.
· Online form· Tourism
/03
Gather supporting documents
Assemble passport, photos, travel medical insurance (min EUR 30,000), flight and hotel bookings, bank statements, and proof of ties to India.
· Documents· Insurance
/04
Book a biometrics appointment
Schedule an appointment at a VFS Global centre to submit your file and provide biometrics (10 fingerprints and a photo), unless you gave them within the last 59 months.
· Biometrics· Appointment
/05
Pay fees and submit
Pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus the VFS service charge at submission. Both are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
· EUR 90· Non-refundable
/06
Collect passport and check the visa
Track your application online. After ~15 days, collect your passport and verify the visa sticker dates, number of entries, and duration of stay before travel.
· 15 days· Verify sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Indian passport valid 3+ months beyond departure from Schengen, issued within last 10 years, with 2 blank pages
required
No passport with extended-validity stamps/stickers (not accepted since 1 Oct 2025)
required
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
required
Two recent passport-size photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard)
required
Travel medical insurance covering min EUR 30,000 in the Schengen Area
required
Round-trip flight reservation and confirmed accommodation
required
Bank statements showing sufficient funds (approx EUR 60-70 per day)
required
Proof of employment, leave letter, or business registration
recommended
Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary
recommended
Proof of ties to India (property, family, return obligations)
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Government fee, non-refundable; effective since 11 Jun 2024
Schengen visa fee (child 6-12)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt
VFS Global service chargeapprox INR 2,000-3,100Per application, non-refundable; raised 15-20% in Nov 2025
Travel medical insuranceapprox INR 600-1,800Mandatory, min EUR 30,000 coverage
Total estimateEUR 90 + approx INR 2,600 — EUR 90 + approx INR 4,900incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing
15 calendar days
Typical decision time after biometrics submission; apply well in advance of travel.
Extended review
30-45 days
Possible if additional documents or administrative checks are needed, or during peak season.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
India is a visa-required nationality for Schengen
Indian citizens are not on the Schengen visa-exempt list, so a visa must be obtained before travelling to Sweden.
High
/02
Tourism / short visit
Leisure travel, sightseeing, and visiting friends or family fall under the Type C short-stay visa category.
High
/03
Visiting friends or relatives
Common purpose; may require an invitation letter and host details in addition to standard documents.
Medium
/04
Business or conference (short)
Short business trips also use the Type C visa but require an invitation from the Swedish company or event.
Medium
/05
Transit through Sweden
Travelers connecting through a Swedish/Schengen airport into the area generally need the same short-stay visa.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
India to Sweden route verified
Confirmed via the Embassy of Sweden in India and VisitSweden that Indian ordinary passport holders require a Schengen Type C visa (EUR 90 adult fee). Verified that ETIAS does not apply to visa-required nationals and that EES biometric border registration has been live since 10 Apr 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Indian citizens visit Sweden without a visa?—
No. India is a visa-required nationality for the Schengen Area, so an Indian ordinary passport holder must obtain a Schengen Type C short-stay visa before travelling to Sweden.
Do Indians need ETIAS for Sweden?+
How long can I stay in Sweden on this visa?+
How much does the Sweden Schengen visa cost?+
How long does processing take?+
Where do I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

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