For Indian citizens applying for Schengen visas (short-term tourist, family visit, or long-term D-visas for residence), several European embassies in India require an apostilled birth certificate as supporting documentation. This guide explains which Schengen countries require it and how to prepare.
Do Schengen visa applications require an Indian birth certificate?
Not for routine tourist Schengen visas. The standard Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) typically requires passport, financial proof, accommodation booking, travel insurance, and ties to India — but not a birth certificate. Long-stay D-visas (residence visas for work, study, family reunion) often require birth certificates. Family visit visas may require birth certificates of the inviting relative (proving relationship). Family reunion visas for spouses and children always require birth certificates.
Which Schengen countries require apostilled birth certificate for D-visas?
Major European countries requiring apostilled birth certificates for various long-stay visa types:
- Germany: Family reunion (spouse, child), Niederlassungserlaubnis, residence permits
- France: Family reunion (regroupement familial), VLS-TS visas
- Italy: Family reunion (ricongiungimento familiare), citizenship applications
- Spain: Family reunion (reagrupación familiar), residence permits
- Netherlands: MVV (provisional residence permit), family migration
- Switzerland: Family reunion (though Switzerland is not in Schengen but EFTA)
- Austria: Family reunion, Red-White-Red Card
- Portugal: Family reunion, D7 visas
- Sweden: Family reunion, residence permit
How does apostille work for European visa applications?
European countries are all members of the Hague Convention. So MEA apostille on the Indian birth certificate is sufficient. Process: notarise → SDM/Home Department attestation → MEA apostille → submit with the visa application. No further embassy attestation is needed.
Do I need certified translation along with the apostille?
Usually yes:
- German embassy: Requires certified German translation (Beglaubigte Übersetzung) by a translator recognized in Germany, or by a German-licensed translator in India
- French embassy: Requires certified French translation by an Indian translator (then apostilled) or a French-sworn translator
- Italian embassy: Requires certified Italian translation
- Spanish embassy: Requires certified Spanish translation by an Indian translator (apostilled) or a Spanish sworn translator
For these countries, both the original Indian birth certificate AND the certified translation are apostilled — sometimes together, sometimes separately. We arrange certified translations through our partner translators.
What is the German family reunion visa birth certificate requirement?
For German family reunion visa (Familiennachzug) — typically a spouse or child of an Indian-origin German resident:
- Indian birth certificate of the visa applicant — apostilled
- Certified German translation — apostilled
- Indian marriage certificate (for spouse visa) — apostilled with German translation
- Sponsor's German residence proof
- A2 German language proficiency (for spouse visa)
The German embassy in Delhi is meticulous — incomplete documentation causes delays.
What is the Italian family reunion (ricongiungimento) requirement?
For Italian family reunion visa:
- Indian birth certificate apostilled and translated to Italian (Traduzione asseverata) — translation either done in Italy by a sworn translator or in India by an Italian-language translator with subsequent apostille
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) — same treatment
- Sponsor's Italian Permesso di Soggiorno and Nulla Osta
Italian embassy in Delhi processes through VFS Italy.
Does France accept the certified translation done in India?
France accepts certified translations done in India by translators registered with the French Embassy in Delhi. Alternatively, translation done in France by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) is accepted. The translation must be apostilled along with the original birth certificate.
How long does the full apostille + translation chain take for European visas?
Full timeline:
- Indian birth certificate issuance: 7-21 days
- Certified translation to German/French/Italian/Spanish: 5-10 days
- MEA apostille of both certificate and translation: 7-10 days
- Total: 3-6 weeks
We recommend starting 2 months before your visa appointment date.
India For NRI is India's #1 expert service for obtaining Indian birth certificates — trusted by 10,000+ NRIs across 50+ countries for apostille, NABC, name correction, and all birth certificate needs.