If you're planning a trip to Europe, here’s what you need to know about the Schengen visa fees. From the latest costs to who gets discounts or fee waivers, plus extra expenses like travel insurance, we break it all down.

Europe visa cost: Latest Schengen visa fees

How much is Schengen visa? After the change as of 11 June 2024, here are Schengen visa charges without other expenses:

Who pays the €35 Visa Facilitation Agreement fee?

Some countries have visa facilitation agreements with the EU, meaning their nationals benefit from a lower visa fee of €35. These agreements typically apply to:

• Armenia

• Azerbaijan

• Belarus
  (The visa fee for these countries remains unchanged.)

Who can get a Schengen visa fee waiver?

In some cases, Schengen visa fees may be waived or reduced. Some applicants who might qualify for a free Schengen visa include:

• Children under 6 years old

• Researchers traveling for scientific purposes

• Students and accompanying teachers traveling for study or training

• Representatives of non-profit organizations (under 25 years old) traveling for seminars, conferences, or cultural/sports events

• Family members of EU/EEA citizens (under the Free Movement Directive)

Important: Whether a visa fee is waived depends on the specific circumstances and the decision of the consulate processing the application.

Schengen visa cost with other expenses

Applying for a Schengen visa involves more than just the EU visa charges. You may also need to pay for:

Schengen visa cost: UK

Applying for a Schengen visa from the UK costs €90 for adults and €45 for children (6-11 years old), while children under 6 apply for free. Additional service fees apply when applying through visa experts.

Applicants must also budget for travel insurance, document translation, and transport costs. Payments are usually accepted by credit/debit card or cash, depending on the visa center.

Why are visa fees for Schengen visa increasing?

The European Commission reviews visa fees every three years and can increase them based on economic factors, such as:

• Euro area annual inflation rate

• Average salary of EU civil servants

• Visa application processing costs

The income generated from Schengen visa applications is reinvested into improving processing resources, including hiring more staff to reduce waiting times for appointments and applications.