The European Commission has announced a forthcoming increase in Schengen visa fees for non-EU countries, effective June 11. The standard fee for adults will rise from €80 to €90, while the fee for children will increase from €40 to €45.
This adjustment, the Commission states, is a response to inflation and follows a comprehensive three-year review. The proposal for the fee hike was initially put forward on February 2 and received overwhelming support from member states in a December meeting.
Fee Increase Details
The European Commission has also recommended that external providers managing Schengen visa applications be allowed to adjust their service fees in line with the new rates. Despite the increase, the Commission argues that Schengen visa fees remain “relatively low” compared to other countries. For example, visa costs in the UK start at €134, in the US at around €185, and in Australia at €117.
Schengen Visa Overview
Schengen visas are essential for non-EU citizens who plan to visit most EU countries, excluding Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Romania and Bulgaria. Non-EU member countries such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen Area.
These visas allow for short stays, typically for tourism or family visits, in 28 European countries. However, they do not permit employment in the host country. Citizens of countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia enjoy 90 days of visa-free travel every 180 days and do not require a Schengen visa for short visits.
Application and Processing
Schengen visa applications must be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate of the main destination country where the applicant intends to spend the most time. If the visit involves multiple Schengen countries, the application should be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate of the country where the longest stay is planned. For trips of equal duration in multiple countries, the application should go to the mission of the first port of entry.
External providers handling these applications can charge a service fee, which is capped at half of the standard visa fee. This cap will increase from €40 to €45. However, the fee for extending a Schengen visa will remain fixed at €30.
Future Considerations
The EU is also considering further increasing fees for countries that demonstrate “insufficient cooperation on readmission” of individuals expelled from member states. For such countries, the visa fee could rise from €120 to €135 and from €160 to €180.
Bottom Line
These changes highlight the EU’s ongoing efforts to manage the Schengen visa system efficiently while addressing economic realities such as inflation. Travelers from non-EU countries planning to visit the Schengen Area should prepare for the updated fees and ensure they are informed about the specific requirements for their visa applications.
