You can get a free Schengen visa if...

Family members of EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are entitled to a free Schengen visa if traveling with or joining the EU citizen. Eligible family members include spouses, parents, children under 21, and dependent relatives. Special visa procedures i...

By ET Online | Updated: Dec 06, 2024, 02.33 PM IST

Family members of citizens of the European Union or of the States of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are entitled to a preferential free-of-charge Schengen visa.

The expression “family member of EU citizen” is further used for family members of a citizen of any of the EU countries or Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (further only “EU citizen” for the purposes of these provisions), who is a:

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spouse,

parent of an EU citizen,
on condition that the EU citizen is under 21 years of age and lives in a common household with the applicant,
child under 21 of an EU citizen, or such a child of the spouse of an EU citizen
dependent direct relative in an ascending or descending line of an EU citizen, or such a relative of the spouse of an EU citizen.

Note 1: A dependent person is a third-country national supported by an EU citizen or their spouse who:

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Is systematically preparing for a future profession and is up to 26 years of age;
Cannot systematically prepare for a future profession or perform gainful activities due to illness or injury;
Is not capable of performing systematic gainful activities due to a chronic adverse health condition.

Note 2: A family member of an EU citizen can also be a foreign national who can credibly prove that:

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They are a relative of an EU citizen not specified above if:
- They lived in a common household with an EU citizen in the country whose citizenship they hold or in the country where they held long-term or permanent residence;
- They are supported by an EU citizen;
- They cannot care for themselves without personal care provided by an EU citizen due to a chronic adverse health condition.
- or s/he is in a permanent relationship with an EU citizen that is comparable to a family relationship and they share a common household.

Special visa procedures for family members of EU citizens

Family members of EU citizens are entitled to:

Priority appointment to submit the application, should they need an appointment
Processing the visa application free of charge

When applying for a Schengen visa, family members of EU citizens must provide the following:

Fully completed and signed application form for a Schengen visa (note: do not fill in fields marked with *, but fill in fields 34 and 35)
Valid travel document (passport containing at least two empty pages for affixing visa stickers, issued within the last 10 years)
Photograph conforming to ICAO standards
Fingerprints (same rules apply as to all applicants)
Documents confirming the identity of the EU citizen and their family relationship with the applicant (primarily, but not exclusively, the original or certified copy of the marriage/birth/other certificate with an official translation into Czech, if necessary)

Visa applications of family members of EU citizens are generally proceeded in the shortest possible time.

The legal processing time limit is 14 days, extendable exceptionally up to 60 days. In case of missing proof of the EU citizen identity and the family relationship, the applicant cannot be considered to be a family member of an EU citizen and standard rules of procedures will be applied.

Appeal against visa refusal

The administrative appeal procedure against visa refusal is the same for family members of EU citizens as for any other Schengen visa applicant. The appeal must be submitted within 15 days of the receipt of visa refusal form to the consulate which decided to refuse the visa. The appeal must include the name of the applicant and reasons, why the applicant considers the refusal decision to be contrary to the law. The appeal will be reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic within 35 days from the receipt of the appeal by the consulate. The information on the outcome of the review is sent to the applicant via the same consulate.

In case of a negative decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the administrative appeal, you can also file a judicial appeal against the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The judicial appeal can be submitted to the respective administrative Court of the Czech Republic (in the location where you planned to stay in the Czech Republic). The appeal must be sent to the Court in writing within 30 days after the receipt of the negative decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Indian travelers planning to visit Schengen countries should apply for their visa at least 3 to 6 weeks before their intended travel date. Schengen visa applications can be submitted as early as 6 months before the travel date and no later than 15 working days prior to departure.

Key Information Indians Should Know
1. Choose the Correct Embassy
- Apply at the embassy/consulate of the country where you plan to spend the most time.
- If visiting multiple countries for equal durations, apply at the country you’ll enter first.

2. Required Documents
- Visa Application Form: Available online or at visa centers.
- Passport: Valid for at least 3 months after your return date, with two blank pages.
- Travel Insurance: Covering at least €30,000 (~?2.6 lakh).
- Flight Tickets: Confirmed round-trip reservations.
- Accommodation Proof: Hotel bookings or invitation letters.
- Financial Proof: Bank statements for the last 3 months showing sufficient funds (~?7,000/day of stay).
- Itinerary: A day-by-day travel plan.

3. Visa Fees and Processing Time
- Fee: €80 (~?7,000) for adults; reduced rates for children.
- Processing Time: Typically 15 working days, but it can take longer during peak travel seasons.

4. Biometric Data Requirement
- First-time Schengen visa applicants must provide fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Center (VAC).

5. Travel Insurance
- This is mandatory and must cover the entire trip duration.

6. Tips for Approval
- Ensure all documents are complete and consistent.
- Be clear about your travel purpose and return plans.
- Avoid last-minute applications, especially during peak seasons like summer or holidays.
- By planning ahead and following these guidelines, Indian travelers can enjoy a smooth visa application process and focus on exploring Europe.