Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Facilitated under EU Directive 2004/38/ECVerified 2026-04-24Netherlands — Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen (Facilitated Schengen Visa)
If you are travelling to the Netherlands with or to join a family member who is an EU, EEA, or Swiss national (who is exercising free movement in a country other than the one they are a national of), you can apply for a facilitated Schengen visa under EU Directive 2004/38/EC. The visa fee is fully WAIVED, the documentation is simplified, and processing is typically faster. This category does NOT apply to family members of Dutch nationals living in the Netherlands — with specific exceptions (see below) and the Chavez-Vilchez route for parents of Dutch minor children.
Processing
Average 15 calendar days from submission; maximum 45 calendar days
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
FREE
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL The Netherlands visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Your travel document (passport) must NOT be more than 10 years old, have at least 2 blank visa pages, be valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure from the Schengen area, and carry your signature.
- 2Not all travel documents are recognised by the Netherlands — non-recognised documents will result in an INADMISSIBLE application. Check the European Union website if you are uncertain.
- 3Diplomatic and Official passport holders can use the walk-in facility at all Netherlands VFS centres between 09:00 and 10:00 on working days — no prior appointment needed.
- 4In most cases you must submit your application in person. This applies to babies and children too.
- 5Pilots and flight attendants do NOT need to hand over their passport during processing — all other applicants must submit it for the duration of processing.
- 6At the appointment you will sign a declaration acknowledging (a) you understand that all documents must be submitted for the application to be processed, and (b) an incomplete application may be rejected with no refund of visa fees.
- 7If you overstay a Schengen visa, you risk a two-year visa sanction across all Schengen countries.
- 8If you notice a mistake on your visa when collecting it at VFS, notify the agent immediately. If you notice it later or received the visa by courier, contact the Dutch embassy without delay.
Who Can Apply
- Spouse, registered partner, or common-law spouse of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
- Direct descendants (children) under the age of 21, OR children who are financially dependent, of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner
- Dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (parents) of the EU citizen or their spouse/partner
- Parents of a Dutch minor child under 18 living in the Netherlands (Chavez-Vilchez route) — separate checklist applies
- In some cases: durable-relationship partners, caregivers, or financial dependants of the EU citizen (case-by-case assessment)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Family members of Dutch nationals living in the Netherlands who have never exercised EU free movement — apply for family reunification MVV instead
- Partners/family of EU long-term residents who are not EU/EEA/Swiss citizens themselves
- Stays longer than 90 days — requires a separate residence procedure
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee | FREE |
| VFS service charge (per application) | ₹1,855 |
The visa fee is fully waived for qualifying applicants under EU Directive 2004/38/EC. Only the VFS service charge (₹1,855) applies. You must prove that you qualify under the directive — unqualified applications will be processed under standard Schengen rules with the full €90 fee.
Documents Required
Personal documents (simplified under EU Directive)
- !Completed Schengen visa application form — sections 19, 20, 31, 32, 33 can be left blank; fields 34 and 35 must be completed
The accelerated procedure requires fewer fields. Fill the form ONLINE to receive the unique code.
- !Valid passport + signature, 2 blank pages, valid 3+ months after Schengen departure
- !Biometric photograph (3.5cm × 4.5cm, white/light background, ≤6 months old)
- !Proof of legal residence in India (original + colour copy)
Documents relating to your EU/EEA/Swiss family member
- !Proof of family ties
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, certificate of registered partnership, or other official document stating your name and that of the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. Original + colour copy.
- !Colour copy of the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen's valid travel document
- !Proof of right of free movement
If the EU citizen resides in a country other than their own for 3+ months: residence permit OR registration in that EU state. If visiting: travel itinerary/flight booking showing their travel. A letter explaining any gaps helps.
- ○If relationship is not "immediate": evidence of durable relationship
Proof of cohabitation, joint finances, serious health-grounds care need, or financial dependency. Assessed case-by-case.
Chavez-Vilchez route — parent of Dutch child under 18 (separate checklist)
- ○Proof of child's Dutch nationality
Dutch travel document or other official proof. Required only for Chavez-Vilchez applications.
- ○Dutch travel document of the child's other parent (or death certificate)
- ○Proof that you are the child's parent
Birth certificate, acknowledgement of parentage, adoption papers, foster-parent proof, or DNA test from an RVA/ILAC-accredited lab.
- ○Proof of parental responsibility
Extract from parental responsibility register (gezagsregister) or foreign equivalent.
- ○Proof of your role in the child's care + proof the child is dependent on you
Travel documents
- !Travel reservation in your name (not a paid ticket)
If travelling with the EU citizen, also show a reservation in their name or a document showing their travel plans.
Documents relating to minors (if applicable)
- !Recent birth certificate extract + consent form signed by non-travelling parent(s)/guardian(s)
- ○Valid travel document + Schengen visa of parent (if applicable)
- ○Death certificate / guardianship proof / court permission (if applicable)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Confirm eligibility under EU Directive 2004/38/EC
You must (1) be a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss national, (2) be accompanying or joining them, and (3) the family member is travelling to or residing in an EU country OTHER than their own. Family of Dutch nationals in NL usually do NOT qualify.
Gather proof of family ties + EU free movement
Birth/marriage certificate, EU passport copy, their residence permit in another EU state OR travel itinerary showing free movement.
Complete the simplified Schengen application form
Fill ONLINE. Under EU Directive you can leave sections 19, 20, 31, 32, 33 blank; complete fields 34 and 35.
Book a VFS appointment
Note: the visa fee is WAIVED, but the ₹1,855 VFS service charge still applies.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
Submit all documents in person. Processing is typically expedited.
For Chavez-Vilchez applicants
If you are a parent of a Dutch minor living in the Netherlands (Chavez-Vilchez), use the dedicated checklist — proof of child's Dutch nationality, parental responsibility, and dependency is required.
Track + collect
15 days average, often faster. 45 days maximum.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Online Schengen Visa Application Form
Must be completed ONLINE only — the form generates a unique code that the embassy uses to process your file. Print the completed form and sign it. Handwritten forms are NOT accepted.
Proof of Sponsorship and/or Private Accommodation (IND form)
Only if you are being hosted by a Dutch resident. Host completes the form, signs it, and has it legalised at the Dutch municipality (gemeente) where they are registered, then sends the original to you.
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Complete the Schengen visa application form ONLINE only — forms without a unique code can cause processing issues. Handwritten forms are rejected.
- Travel medical insurance covering minimum €30,000 is MANDATORY and must be valid across all Schengen states for the entire duration of your trip, including arrival and departure dates.
- Personal bank statements must be from the last 3 months, stamped and signed by your bank. Plain print-outs without a bank stamp are not accepted.
- Photo must be colour, no more than 6 months old, 3.5cm × 4.5cm, with a white or light-coloured background. If applying through VFS, a digital photo may be taken at your appointment instead.
- Submit your application at least 15 days before travel — apply 4 to 8 weeks ahead to be safe, especially in peak holiday season.
- Do NOT purchase non-refundable flight tickets before your visa is approved — a flight reservation in your name is sufficient proof.
- If your biometrics were submitted for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you may not need to give them again — but bring your old passport as proof.
- The decision on your application is made by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs — VFS has no role in approvals or rejections.
- The visa fee is genuinely waived — but some applicants are wrongly charged at submission. Clearly flag your EU family member category on the form and at VFS.
- The key hurdle is proving "free movement" — that the EU citizen is travelling to or living in a country OTHER than their own. A Dutch national in the Netherlands usually doesn't qualify unless they recently worked/lived in another EU country.
- For durable-relationship partners (unmarried): bring cohabitation proof, joint finances, long-term correspondence, and photos — Dutch authorities assess this holistically.
- If you are a parent of a Dutch minor child under 18 (Chavez-Vilchez), this is your pathway — but use the specific Chavez-Vilchez checklist, which requires proof of the child's Dutch nationality, your parental responsibility, and the child's dependency on you.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.EU citizen has not exercised free movement (e.g. Dutch national in the Netherlands)
- 2.Family tie cannot be objectively proven
- 3.EU citizen's travel or residence plans not evidenced
- 4.Durable-relationship claim not adequately supported
- 5.Chavez-Vilchez applicants unable to prove Dutch child's dependency
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Schengen visa really free for qualifying EU family members?+
Does this apply if my spouse is a Dutch national living in the Netherlands?+
My partner is a long-term EU resident but not an EU citizen. Do I qualify?+
Does the EU citizen need to travel on the same flight?+
What documents prove a "durable relationship" if we aren't married?+
How is this different from a normal Schengen visa?+
I'm a parent of a Dutch child under 18 — can I stay long-term?+
Let us prepare your Netherlands — Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen — (Facilitated Schengen Visa) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other The Netherlands Visa Types
Netherlands Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Official fees, complete document checklist, processing time, and VFS application guide — sourced from the Dutch embassy and VFS Global.
Netherlands Business & Official Visit Visa (Schengen Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Business or Official Visit Visa from India. Covers meetings, conferences, training, trade fairs, and official visits. Complete fees, documents, and VFS application guide sourced from the Dutch embassy.
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Netherlands Airport Transit Visa (Type A)
Information on the Netherlands Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for changing aircraft at a Schengen airport. Indian passport holders typically do NOT require an ATV — check before applying.
Netherlands Entry Visa (Return Visa for Residence Permit Holders)
Apply for a Netherlands Entry Visa (Return Visa) if your Dutch long-term residence permit was lost, stolen, or expired while you were abroad. Complete documents, fees, and process.
Netherlands Seafarer Visa — Blue Carpet Programme (Schengen Type C)
Facilitated Schengen visa for Indian seafarers joining a ship in a Dutch port under the Blue Carpet Programme. Priority processing, multi-entry visas, 9-month advance application window. Complete documents and invitation requirements.
Netherlands Cultural, Sports, Religious & Film Crews Visa (Schengen Type C)
Apply for a Netherlands Schengen visa to attend cultural events, sports competitions, religious gatherings, or as a film crew member. Only for travellers not paid by a Dutch entity. Complete documents, fees, and process.
Netherlands Orange Carpet Visa (Facilitated Business — Schengen Type C)
Fast-track business Schengen visa for employees of companies registered with the Netherlands Embassy in India as Orange Carpet eligible. Walk-in submission, priority processing, simplified documentation.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global The Netherlands website and Embassy of The Netherlands. Last verified 2026-04-24. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.