From February 2, get Schengen visa 6 months in advance

Come February 2, you will be able to apply for a Schengen visa for a trip to Europe up to six months in advance of your proposed travel date. At present, you can apply for a Schengen visa a maximum of three months before. And instead of the usual Schengen visas which are for very limited periods, travellers with a “positive history” could get them with validities of one to five years.

A Schengen visa is needed for 26 European countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Spain.

But while the European Union is easing travel norms, the visa cost will rise from €60 to €80 from February 2, and the fee for children in the age group of 6 to 12 will rise from €35 to €40 (€1is about Rs 78.7 at the current exchange rate).


An EU spokesperson in New Delhi said: “The new rules will provide faster and clearer procedures for legitimate travellers, in particular by allowing for applications to be lodged up to 6 months, and no later than 15 days, before the trip; providing for the possibility of the application form to be filled in and signed electronically and introducing a harmonised approach to the issuing of multiple-entry visas to regular travellers with a positive visa history for a period which increases gradually from 1 to 5 years.”

The changes come after the Council of the EU last June adopted amendments to the Schengen visa code. “The amendments have been approved in a bid by the EU to improve conditions for legitimate travellers,” the EU spokesperson said.

SOTC Travel (leisure) president and country head Daniel D’souza said: “...(The EU move) will benefit travellers as it will now give travellers a larger window period to apply for visas well in advance for their next holiday. It will give ease and convenience to our customers to avoid a last-minute rush.”