Schengen visa fees set to increase

The European Commission has proposed increasing Schengen visa application fees in 2024. If this proposal is accepted, the fee for adults will rise from 80 euros to 90 euros, and for children from 40 euros to 45 euros.

Furthermore, the EU is considering implementing a higher fee for applications from countries that do not cooperate in the readmission of deported individuals. A Schengen visa is mandatory for third-country nationals who wish to stay in the EU and the Schengen area for more than 90 days or who do not have visa-free travel rights. If the proposal becomes law, the new fees will come into effect within a few months.

WHAT WILL THE NEW PRICE OF A SCHENGEN VISA BE?

The European Commission has proposed an increase in Schengen visa fees. This proposal was submitted on February 2 following a meeting approved by the vast majority of member state experts. The proposal is open for public comment until March 1. Until this date, EU citizens can comment on the proposal and indicate whether they approve of it. Afterward, the EU can put the changes into effect 20 days after publishing them in the Official Journal. Schengen visa fees are re-evaluated every three years. The Commission argued that the price increase is necessary due to rising inflation in the EU.

If this change occurs, visa fees will rise from 80 euros to 90 euros for adults and from 40 euros to 45 euros for children. For citizens of countries that do not comply with readmission agreements, the cost will increase from 120 euros to 135 euros and from 160 euros to 180 euros. Additionally, the Commission proposed allowing external providers that process Schengen visa applications to increase their fees as well. External providers, such as visa agencies, generally charge half of the standard fee. In contrast, the price for extending a Schengen visa will remain fixed at 30 euros.