Quick answer
Indians need a Schengen visa for the Czech Republic, lodged at a VFS Global centre and decided by the Czech Embassy in New Delhi. The fee is EUR 90 (about ₹9,200) plus VFS charges. Apply to the Czech Republic only if Prague is your longest stay, and buy travel insurance only from a company on the Embassy's accepted list.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) issued by the Czech Republic
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- EUR 90 (about ₹9,200) per adult, EUR 45 (about ₹4,600) for children aged 6–11, plus a VFS Global service charge
- Processing
- About 15 calendar days; book 6–8 weeks ahead for May–June and December
- Validity
- As issued: trip dates on a first visa, 2-year or 5-year multiple-entry under the India cascade
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Schengen application form, completed and signed
- Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months beyond return, plus old passports
- Two 35 x 45 mm photographs on a white background
- Travel insurance from an insurer on the Czech Embassy's list, with at least EUR 30,000 cover
- Cover letter and day-by-day itinerary showing Czech nights as the longest stay
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months, stamped
- ITR acknowledgements for the last 2–3 years
- Leave letter and last 3 salary slips, or GST and business records
- Hotel bookings for every night and a refundable flight reservation
- Business trips: invitation from the Czech company and employer letter
- Copies of previous Schengen, UK or US visas
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Insurance from a company not on the Czech list. The Embassy accepts only listed insurers for short-stay visas.
- Applying to the Czech Republic for a Prague–Vienna–Budapest trip where Prague gets fewer nights; VFS accepts the file but the Embassy can refuse it.
- A December Christmas-market trip booked in November, when slots are scarce.
- Itineraries that copy day trips to Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary on the same day.
When is the Czech Republic the right country?
Only when Prague, perhaps with Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary, is your longest stay. On the classic Prague–Vienna–Budapest circuit, Prague often gets three nights out of nine, and then Austria or Hungary is the competent state. If nights tie, apply to the country you enter first. The shared rules are on our Schengen visa guide.
Who handles Czech visas in India?
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi decides short-stay applications, which are collected by VFS Global. From 1 August 2026, VFS opened two more Czech centres, in Lucknow and Bhubaneswar, alongside the existing metro centres. That helps travellers from Uttar Pradesh and Odisha who previously had to travel to Delhi or Kolkata to apply.
The Czech quirk: listed insurers only
This is the detail that catches Indian applicants. For short-stay visas, the Czech Embassy accepts travel insurance only from the insurance companies on its published list. A perfectly good policy from an insurer not on that list can sink the application. Check the list before buying, and make sure cover is at least EUR 30,000 for all Schengen states and every day of the trip.
How long does it take?
Most clean tourist files are decided in about 15 calendar days. Prague's peaks for Indian travellers are May–June and the December Christmas markets; book VFS slots six to eight weeks ahead for both. Applications open six months before travel and close 15 days before.
Business travellers
The Czech Republic runs a Reliable Partner Programme that gives a dedicated procedure to applicants who travel frequently to the country on business through approved companies. If your employer trades with Czech firms, ask whether it is registered.
Refusals
A refused applicant can appeal; the refusal letter states the deadline and process. As with most Schengen states, a fresh application that fixes the stated reason is often faster before a fixed trip.
Documents that decide the outcome
Bring three to six months of stamped bank statements, ITRs for two to three years, a leave letter and salary slips (or GST and business proof), a day-by-day itinerary, hotel bookings for every night, a refundable flight reservation and the insurance certificate from a listed insurer.
Applying to the wrong country is the commonest Prague mistake. VFS will accept the file, but the Embassy can refuse it as not competent.
Our visa assistance team prepares Czech files, and we arrange travel insurance from accepted insurers. See the Prague trip cost and best time to visit Prague guides.
Frequently asked questions
Which travel insurance is accepted for a Czech visa?
Should I apply to the Czech Republic for a Prague, Vienna and Budapest trip?
Where are the Czech visa centres in India?
When should I apply for a December Prague Christmas-market trip?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
