The European Commission has announced an increase in the fees for short-stay Schengen visas worldwide, effective from June 11. This decision will result in a 12% rise in the cost of Schengen visas (visa type C), affecting travelers intending to visit Europe.
Under the new fee structure, the fee for adult applicants will be raised to Euro 90, up from the current Euro 80. Similarly, for children aged 6 to under 12 years, the fee will increase from Euro 40 to Euro 45. This fee adjustment applies to visa applications from all regions.
The Schengen visa allows travel across 27 European countries, including popular tourist destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The fee increase is aimed at covering the rising costs associated with visa processing and ensuring the security of the Schengen area.
The last fee update occurred in February 2020 when the adult visa fee was raised to Euro 80 from Euro 60. The European Commission justifies the latest hike citing inflation and the necessity to cover administrative expenses related to the visa process, which includes background checks, data processing, and maintaining secure entry systems.
For adults, the new fee will be Euro 90, and for children aged 6 to below 12, it will be Euro 45. These increases are part of a broader initiative to ensure that the expenses of visa processing and security measures are adequately met.
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus will pay Euro 35, and applicants from Cabo Verde will pay Euro 60.
