Germany will be rolling out Digital Schengen visas for Indian nationals by the second quarter of 2025, said its Chennai-based Consul General Michaela Küchler.

In 2023, German diplomatic missions in India issued more than 1.8 lakh (180,000) Schengen visas to Indians, with expectations for 2024 to exceed the 2 lakh (200,000) mark, according to a report by Wion.

The average processing time for obtaining a Schengen visa (including appointment wait time) from a German mission is less than four weeks for applicants from Southern India.

The Schengen region encompasses Europe’s passport-free zone covering most European countries, allowing free travel across 29 countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, these visas do not allow holders the right to work.