Airport Transit Visa for Indians: Denmark & Schengen
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026 · Verified against current VFS Global India fees
Do Indians need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to change flights in Copenhagen or the Schengen area in 2026? The clear rule, when a Type C visa is needed, and documents.
Quick answer: Indian passport holders generally need a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV / Type A) to change flights in Denmark, Copenhagen or any other Schengen airport — but only if you stay strictly airside in the international transit zone. The moment you must leave the airport, collect and re-check baggage, change airports, or your layover crosses immigration, you need a short-stay Schengen (Type C) visa instead. A few residence-permit and visa holders are exempt.
Do Indians need an Airport Transit Visa for Schengen?
Yes — in most cases. Under Schengen rules, Indian nationals are on the list of nationalities that normally require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV), also called a Type A visa, to pass through the international transit area of a Schengen airport. The German missions in India put it plainly: "Indian nationals generally require an airport transit visa for the Schengen area."
An ATV is not a permission to enter Europe. It only lets you wait in the sealed international transit zone between two international flights — you never cross passport control and you cannot stay overnight in a landside hotel. If any part of your journey requires you to actually step into the Schengen area, the ATV is the wrong visa and you must apply for a short-stay Type C visa.
Important nuance: Whether an ATV is required depends on your nationality and the specific transit country's list. Each Schengen state keeps its own list, so the rule can differ between, say, Copenhagen and Frankfurt. Indian passport holders should always verify the requirement for the exact transit airport before booking. Not sure which visa you need? Use the free 60-second visa profile check on the SureshotVisa homepage — see pricing — and if you need to file, we prepare and submit the whole application for you.
Copenhagen & Denmark: what most Indians actually need
Copenhagen (CPH) is one of the most-searched transit points for Indian travellers heading onward to the US, Canada, Iceland or the Nordics. Here is the simple test for a Denmark/Copenhagen stopover:
Same terminal, baggage checked through to your final destination, you never cross immigration into Denmark. An Airport Transit Visa is generally enough.
Long layover and you want to see Copenhagen, an overnight in a city hotel, or you clear immigration for any reason — that is entry into Schengen, so you need a short-stay visa.
If your bags are not through-checked and you must collect and re-check them, you typically pass landside and enter Schengen — a Type C visa is required.
Arrive at one airport, depart from another (or a different, non-connected terminal) — you leave the transit zone, so a short-stay Type C visa applies.
Tip: Ask your airline at check-in in India whether your baggage is tagged through to the final destination and whether the connection is entirely airside. A single through-tag and a clean airside connection are what keep you in ATV territory. When in doubt, apply for the Type C visa — it covers both scenarios.
ATV vs short-stay visa: which situation needs what?
Use this table to match your journey to the right visa before you apply.
| Your transit situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Change planes airside, baggage through-checked, never cross immigration | Airport Transit Visa (Type A) — subject to exemptions below |
| Long layover, you want to leave the airport / see the city | Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
| Overnight stay in a landside hotel between flights | Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
| Collect and re-check baggage (not through-tagged) | Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
| Arrive and depart from different airports (or non-connected terminals) | Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) |
| Onward flight to your final destination is itself within Schengen | Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) — you are entering, not transiting |
Who is exempt from the Airport Transit Visa?
Even though Indian nationals generally need an ATV, you are usually exempt — meaning you can transit airside without one — if you hold any of the following (as listed by the German missions in India):
A valid visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, or by Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Liechtenstein or Ireland.
A valid visa or residence permit for Canada, Japan or the USA (but not a US "Advance Parole" document), or a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit.
A valid residence permit for Andorra, Monaco or San Marino.
Holders of a diplomatic passport generally do not require an airport transit visa.
Warning — don't guess: Exemption lists differ slightly by country and are updated periodically. A visa that exempts you at one airport may not be treated identically elsewhere, and an expired or single-entry US/UK document may not count. Confirm your exact exemption on the official page of the transit country, or have us verify it, before you rely on it at the boarding gate.
Documents for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Indian applicants)
Based on the airport-transit checklists of the German and Estonian missions in India, an ATV file typically includes:
Core documents
The Schengen visa application form, completed and signed (Germany uses VIDEX; Estonia signs twice). Print all pages including any barcode.
Issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your scheduled return, with at least two blank pages. Submit old passports too.
One recent (under 6 months) 35mm x 45mm colour photo, white background, no software edits.
Valid across Schengen with minimum EUR 30,000 cover for the full trip duration.
Confirmed flight reservation / itinerary showing the connecting flight to your final destination. Embassies advise not to buy the ticket before approval.
A copy of the visa or entry permit for your third-country destination (e.g. your US, Canada or UK visa), if applicable.
Extra documents you may be asked for
Some missions (e.g. Estonia) also ask airport-transit applicants for a covering letter, proof of financial means (recent bank statements, ITR, salary slips) and, for minors, notarised parental consent plus copies of both parents' passports. Requirements vary by country and by applicant profile.
Applying to the right VFS centre matters — apply to the country where your transit airport is (Denmark for Copenhagen, Germany for Frankfurt/Munich). For where to book biometrics and submit, see our VFS application centres guide.
How much does it cost, and how early should I apply?
The government visa fee is uniform across Schengen (unchanged since 11 June 2024): EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–12, with under-6s free. This is collected in INR at the applicable exchange rate. On top of that you pay a separate VFS service fee (broadly INR 600–2,700 depending on the country) and any optional add-ons like premium lounge or courier.
| Cost element | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee — adult | EUR 90 (charged in INR) |
| Schengen visa fee — child 6–12 | EUR 45 (charged in INR) |
| Schengen visa fee — under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | Approx. INR 600–2,700 (varies by country) |
| Optional add-ons (courier, lounge, etc.) | Extra, optional |
On timing: Schengen missions accept applications no earlier than six months before travel and typically no later than 15 working days before departure. Standard processing is up to 15 working days from arrival at the visa section, so apply at least 3–4 weeks ahead. Always confirm the current fee and processing time on the official page, as figures can change.
Common mistakes Indians make with transit visas
Assuming "just a layover" means no visa. A short airside stop still needs an ATV for most Indian passport holders. Airlines can and do deny boarding in India if you lack the correct transit visa.
Booking a self-transfer or airport change on an ATV. If your itinerary requires switching airports or re-checking bags, you need a Type C visa — an ATV will not let you leave the transit zone.
Getting it right: Confirm airside vs landside connection with the airline, check whether your existing US/UK/Canada visa exempts you, and apply to the correct transit country's VFS. If any step is unclear, apply for the Type C short-stay visa to be safe.
Frequently asked questions
Generally yes. Indian nationals normally require a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV / Type A) to pass through a Schengen international transit zone, even without entering the country. You are exempt if you hold a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen state, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Canada, Japan, the USA (not a US Advance Parole document) or a UK Biometric Residence Permit, or a residence permit for Andorra, Monaco or San Marino, or a diplomatic passport.
If you only change planes at Copenhagen (CPH) and stay strictly inside the international transit area without crossing immigration, an Airport Transit Visa is generally sufficient (subject to the standard exemptions). The moment you must leave the transit area, collect and re-check baggage, exit for an overnight stay, or change airports, you need a short-stay Schengen (Type C) visa instead.
A Type A Airport Transit Visa only lets you wait airside in the international transit zone between two international flights; you cannot legally enter the Schengen area with it. A Type C short-stay visa lets you actually enter Schengen for up to 90 days, so it is what you need if you leave the airport, re-check baggage, or switch airports.
You need a short-stay Schengen (Type C) visa, not an Airport Transit Visa. Leaving the airport means crossing immigration and entering Denmark, which an ATV does not permit, regardless of how many hours your layover is.
Yes, in that case you typically need a short-stay Type C visa. If your baggage is not checked through and you must clear customs, collect it and re-check it, you effectively enter the Schengen area, which an Airport Transit Visa does not allow.
Apply to the country where your Schengen transit airport is located. If you change flights only in Copenhagen, apply to Denmark; if via Frankfurt or Munich, apply to Germany. If you cross immigration and enter (a Type C case), apply to the country of your main destination or first entry.
The government visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; children under 6 are free. This is charged in INR at the applicable rate. A separate VFS service fee (roughly INR 600 to 2,700 depending on the country) applies, plus any optional add-ons.
Each Schengen country keeps its own list of nationalities that require an ATV, so requirements can differ by airport. Indian passport holders should verify the rule for the specific transit country before booking, or let SureshotVisa check it for you.
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Written by
Sherbir Singh GrewalDirector, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd · B.Tech, Information Technology (2007)
Sherbir Singh Grewal supports applicants across visa-file preparation, document organisation and case coordination. His approach is practical: understand the applicant's real situation first, then build the documents around a consistent, believable story.
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