An increasing number of Indian travelers are choosing European Union destinations due to recent changes in Schengen visa regulations.

Here are the main points to take away:

• A significant 82% of Indian travelers plan to visit EU destinations in the coming months.
• The surge in interest in EU travel is attributed to the recent introduction of long-term multiple-entry visas by the EU.
• According to a study by Policybazaar, top destinations among Indian travelers include France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

More Indian citizens are expressing a keen interest in visiting European Union (EU) destinations this year, largely due to the implementation of more favorable Schengen visa regulations. According to a recent study conducted by Policybazaar, approximately 82% of Indian travelers planning trips abroad intend to visit EU countries. Among these travelers, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are expected to be the most popular destinations in the upcoming months.

Policybazaar's Product Head, Manas Kapoor, noted a noticeable uptick in the percentage of Indians purchasing travel insurance policies specifically for obtaining Schengen visas. Kapoor highlighted that many Indian travelers are opting for travel insurance policies with durations exceeding 45 days, indicating their intent to undertake multiple trips to the Schengen Area, contingent upon being granted multiple-entry visas.

The surge in interest in traveling to the EU began immediately after the announcement that Indians would now be eligible for long-term multiple-entry Schengen visas, which remain valid for extended periods.

Indians with a proven track record of travel will now have the opportunity to obtain longer validity multiple-entry visas under the revised Schengen visa rules recently adopted by the EU. The new regulations allow Indian passport holders to acquire multiple-entry visas with a validity period of two years.

However, it's important to note that not all Indian passport holders will automatically qualify for long-term multiple-entry visas. According to EU authorities, only individuals who have lawfully obtained and used two Schengen visas within the preceding three years will be eligible for these extended visas.

Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, Indian nationals can now receive long-term multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years. Additionally, it's been indicated that in most cases, the two-year visa will be followed by a five-year multiple-entry visa.

Beneficiaries of these longer validity visas will enjoy the convenience of multiple entries into the Schengen Area throughout the year without the need to reapply for the visa each time they travel. However, it's essential for all Indian Schengen visa holders to adhere to the 90/180-day rule, which limits stays to a maximum of three months within any six-month period in the Schengen Area.

For Indian passport holders without prior Schengen visa history, it is anticipated that they will typically be issued single-entry visas with shorter validity periods. Nonetheless, certain exemptions may apply in specific cases.