Netherlands Visa Fees for Indians 2026: Complete Cost Guide

By Sunil Kumar Sharma, Visa & Travel Consultant
Magnum Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd · 21 October 2026 · 8:30 pm IST

Indian passport, euro banknotes, VFS Global receipt and Netherlands visa application form on desk showing fee breakdown

Many Indian applicants budget only for the government visa fee, then discover service charges, biometric fees, courier costs and optional add-ons at the VFS centre that push the final bill significantly higher than expected.

The Netherlands short-stay Schengen visa for Indians involves a government visa fee (set in euros and paid in rupees), a mandatory VFS Global service charge, and often additional costs for biometrics, courier return, photo services, and document assistance. The exact amounts are published by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VFS Global India, and vary by applicant category and services chosen.

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The full fee breakdown

When you apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa as an Indian resident, you pay several distinct charges—not a single flat fee. Understanding each component helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises at the visa application centre.

The government visa fee is set by the European Union in euros and converted to Indian rupees by the Dutch mission. This is the core charge for processing your application. The amount depends on your age, visa type, and sometimes your nationality or bilateral agreements. You will find the current euro amount and the rupee equivalent on the Netherlands Worldwide visa page. The conversion rate is updated periodically, so always check close to your appointment date.

Next comes the VFS Global service fee, a mandatory charge levied by the outsourcing partner that operates visa application centres across India. VFS handles document collection, biometric capture, and forwarding your file to the consulate. This fee is separate from the government charge and is published on the VFS Global India website for the Netherlands.

Finally, there are optional and sometimes mandatory add-ons: biometric enrolment (if you have not given fingerprints in the past 59 months), SMS updates, courier return of your passport, photo and photocopy services, form-filling assistance, and premium lounges. Some applicants pay only the two core fees; others add several hundred rupees in extras.

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Always calculate your total by adding the government fee, the VFS service charge, and any optional services you choose. Do not rely on unofficial blogs or agents for fee amounts—go directly to the official sources listed above.

What the government fee covers

The government visa fee pays for the consular work: reviewing your application, checking your documents against Schengen entry requirements, consulting the Visa Information System, assessing your travel history, and deciding whether to grant, refuse, or limit your visa.

This fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused or if you withdraw your application. It does not guarantee approval; it purchases the service of having your case examined by a visa officer at the Dutch mission.

Certain applicants are exempt from the government fee or pay a reduced rate. Children under six years old are not charged the government fee. Some categories—such as students travelling for study-related purposes, researchers, or family members of EU/EEA nationals—may qualify for a waiver or reduction under EU law. You must prove eligibility with supporting documents at the time of application. The official visa page lists exemption categories; read them carefully and bring certificates, invitation letters, or proof of relationship if you believe you qualify.

The government fee does not cover travel insurance, flight bookings, hotel reservations, or document translation. Those are separate costs you arrange before your appointment.

Service and biometric charges

VFS Global operates the visa application centres in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Goa, Jalandhar, and Trivandrum. Every applicant using a VFS centre pays the VFS service fee on top of the government charge. This fee covers:

Accepting and checking your documents at the counter.
Scanning your application form and supporting papers.
Capturing or verifying your biometric data (photo and fingerprints).
Forwarding your file securely to the consulate.
Returning your passport and decision letter once processed.

The service fee is published in rupees on the VFS Global India website under the Netherlands section. It is the same across all centres and is non-refundable.

Biometric enrolment is required for almost all Schengen visa applicants. If you have never given fingerprints for a Schengen visa, or if your last enrolment was more than 59 months ago, you must visit the centre in person to provide ten-finger scans and a digital photograph. VFS charges a separate biometric fee for this service. If your biometrics are still valid in the Visa Information System, you may be able to submit your application by courier (where available) and skip this charge—but you must confirm eligibility with VFS before choosing that option.

Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still have their photograph taken. The biometric fee structure for minors may differ; check the VFS website for age-specific pricing.

What makes the final amount go up

Beyond the two or three core charges, several factors can increase your out-of-pocket cost:

Courier return of passport: VFS offers to send your passport and visa decision by courier to your home or office address instead of requiring you to collect it in person. This is convenient but adds a delivery fee. You choose this service at the time of application.

SMS and email alerts: Real-time updates on your application status cost a small fee. Many applicants skip this and track their case free on the VFS website using the reference number.

Photo and photocopy services: If you arrive without compliant passport photos or copies of documents, VFS centres offer on-site printing. Prices are higher than street vendors, so bring everything ready.

Form-filling assistance and document review: VFS sells a premium service where staff help you complete the online form or check your documents before submission. This is optional and aimed at first-time or nervous applicants.

Prime-time or lounge appointments: Some centres offer air-conditioned lounges, faster queues, or evening slots for an extra charge. Standard appointments are sufficient for most people.

Travel insurance: You must buy Schengen travel insurance with at least €30,000 medical coverage for the entire trip. This is not paid to VFS or the consulate, but to an insurance company. Shop around; prices range from a few hundred to over a thousand rupees depending on trip length and age.

Document translation and notarisation: Any document not in English or Dutch must be translated by a certified translator. Bank statements, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and employment letters often need this. Translation and notary fees vary by city and document length.

Invitation letter legalisation: If a Dutch host is inviting you, they may need to legalise the invitation at their local gemeente (municipality). This costs them money in the Netherlands, not you in India, but it is part of the overall process cost.

To minimise your total spend, prepare documents yourself, bring your own photos and copies, skip optional SMS services, and collect your passport in person if the centre is nearby.

How to pay safely

VFS Global accepts payment by cash, debit card, or credit card at the visa application centre. Some centres also accept UPI or net banking; check the payment methods listed for your city on the VFS website.

You pay the government visa fee and VFS service fee together at the counter after your documents are accepted. If you have chosen courier, SMS, or other add-ons, those charges are included in the same transaction. You receive a printed receipt showing each line item. Keep this receipt; it is your proof of payment and is needed if you have any dispute or query.

Do not pay any visa fee to agents, consultants, or third parties before your appointment unless you have engaged a registered visa facilitation service and received a clear invoice. Scams are common: fraudsters pose as visa officials and demand advance payment by bank transfer or mobile wallet. The Netherlands government and VFS never ask for fees outside the official centre.

If you are applying through the courier or drop-box service (available only if your biometrics are valid), VFS will send you payment instructions by email. Follow those exactly; do not use unofficial payment links.

For group or family applications, you pay separately for each person. There is no family discount on government or service fees, though children under six are exempt from the government charge.

Credit-card payments may incur a small processing fee; ask at the counter. Cash payments must be in exact or near-exact amounts—VFS centres carry limited change.

Netherlands visa appointment booking: How to register on the VFS website, choose a centre and slot, and what to do if no dates are available.
Netherlands visa document checklist for tourists: The complete list of papers, formats, and specifications for a short-stay visitor visa.
Netherlands visa processing time from India: What to expect between biometrics and decision, and how to track your application.
Schengen travel insurance for Indian travellers: Where to buy compliant policies, what coverage to look for, and how to attach proof to your application.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Netherlands visa fee refundable if my visa is rejected?

No. The government visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the decision. It pays for processing and assessment, not for the visa itself. The VFS service charge is also non-refundable.

Do children pay the same visa fee as adults?

Children under six years old are exempt from the government visa fee but still pay the VFS service charge. Children aged six to eleven pay a reduced government fee (check the official site for the current amount). Children under twelve do not give fingerprints, which may lower or eliminate the biometric charge.

Can I pay the Netherlands visa fee online before my appointment?

No. You pay at the VFS centre on the day of your appointment, after your documents are checked and accepted. VFS does not accept advance online payment for walk-in appointments. If you use the courier/drop-box service, you will receive payment instructions by email.

Why is the visa fee in rupees different from the euro amount on the official site?

The Dutch government sets the fee in euros. The consulate converts it to rupees using the European Central Bank reference rate and updates the rupee amount periodically. Always check the Netherlands Worldwide website close to your appointment for the current conversion.

Are there any hidden charges at the VFS centre?

There are no hidden mandatory charges, but optional services—courier return, SMS alerts, photo printing, form assistance, and lounge access—cost extra. You can decline all of them. The only mandatory payments are the government visa fee, VFS service charge, and biometric fee (if applicable).

Do I pay less if I apply for a multiple-entry visa?

No. The government visa fee is the same whether you apply for single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. The consulate decides the visa type based on your travel history and purpose, not on the fee you pay.

Can I pay the visa fee in euros or US dollars?

VFS centres in India accept payment in Indian rupees only—by cash, card, or UPI. You cannot pay in foreign currency. The rupee amount is calculated from the euro fee by the consulate.

What happens if the visa fee increases between booking my appointment and attending it?

You pay the fee that is current on the day you submit your application at the VFS centre, not the rate on the day you booked. If the Dutch government or VFS announces a fee change, it applies from the effective date published on their websites. Check the official pages a day or two before your appointment to confirm the amount and carry extra cash or card balance.

Need help calculating your total Netherlands visa cost or choosing the right services? Message us on WhatsApp for a personalised breakdown.

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Thanks & Regards...............?

S . K . Sharma

(Visa Executive)

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Disclaimer: It must be noted that grant or refusal of visa is at the sole discretion of the Embassy. Embassy also reserves the right to ask for further documentation / personal appearance or refuse the visa application & all visa fee are Non-Refundable by embassy...

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