The standard Schengen visa fee is €80. Children between the ages of six and twelve pay a reduced fee of €40, whereas children under six are entirely exempt from payment.
When submitting the Schengen visa application at the embassy/consulate or a visa application centre, you pay the fee. Your application will be rejected if you do not pay the visa fee.
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
The cost for a Schengen visa application is as follows:
| Schengen Visa Category | Visa Fee in EUR |
|---|---|
| Adult | €80.00 |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | €40.00 |
| Children younger than six years of age | Free |
| Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus | €35.00 |
| Nationals from Cabo Verde | €60.00 |
Even though the fees are static and unchangeable until the Schengen members decide otherwise, some categories are exempt from paying this amount.
Who Is Exempt From Paying the Fee?
In addition to children under the age of six, the following categories of visa applicants are also exempt from paying the Schengen visa fee:
- Holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports travelling for official purposes
- A family member of an EU/EEA national (under specific conditions outlined in Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament).
- Pupils, students and accompanying teachers during a school trip
- Researchers travelling to perform scientific research
The visa fees may also be waived for participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations. The decision will be made case by case according to the event’s relevance.
Payment Methods
Acceptable payment methods for the Schengen visa fee include cash, debit or credit card, check, or bank order. Usually, you pay the fee before or right as you are handing in the application and then attach the receipt to the rest of the required documents.
The exact payment method will depend on the embassy or consulate processing your application. When you schedule your appointment, you will be notified of the required payment method.
FAQ
Could I Be Faced With Extra Charges?
If you apply through a private visa application agency (such as VFS Global, BLS or TLS), you will pay more than the standard fee for a Schengen visa application. These agencies schedule your appointment and submit your documents at the Schengen embassy or consulate on your behalf. They will charge you for these services, so you may pay an extra €30 – €40 per each application.
Because many embassies or consulate offices do not accept visa applications unless made through an appointed agency, you may be unable to avoid these extra charges.
Is a Visa Fee Refund Possible?
Unfortunately, no. Whether your visa is approved or not, the Schengen visa fee is non-refundable. Additionally, any extra service fees charged by visa application agencies are also non-refundable.
What Currency Do I Pay the Fee?
You pay the Schengen visa fee in the currency of the country you are applying from. E.g., if you are applying in the United States, you will pay the fee in US Dollar at the applicable currency exchange rate.
Does a Multiple Entry Visa Cost More Than a Single-Entry Visa?
No, all Schengen visas (single-entry or multiple-entry) cost the same. The Schengen embassy or consulate decides the duration of your visa, so even if you receive a 7-day visa and a fellow applicant receives a 90-day visa, you both pay the same fee.
Is the Cost Uniform Across All Schengen Countries?
Yes, the fee for a short-stay Schengen visa is the same for all 29 member countries of the Schengen Area. Regardless of your chosen destination, be it Germany, Spain, or France, or any of the other 24 Schengen States, the cost remains uniform.
The Schengen visa fee undergoes a review every three years.
Updates:
- February 2024 – The Commission proposed for the visa fee to be increased from €80 to €90 for adults.
- January 2020 – The European Union increased the visa fee from €60 to €80 to better cover processing costs for visa applications.