The European Commission is thinking of raising Schengen visa fees by 12% due to inflation. According to Euronews, this means adults might pay €90 instead of the current €80, and fees for children could go up from €40 to €45. Schengen visas are needed for citizens from non-EU countries without the 90-day visa-free rule.
The proposal also suggests higher fees for countries not cooperating in readmission, possibly increasing from €120 to €135 for adults and €160 to €180 for children. If approved, the change could happen in the next few months. The European Commission presented the draft on February 2, seeking feedback until March 1. EU citizens can share their opinions during this time.
The Commission points to rising EU inflation as the main reason for the fee increase, with Schengen visa fees usually revised every three years. Additionally, the Commission is thinking about letting external providers, like visa agencies, raise their service charges, potentially increasing the maximum fee from €40 to €45 under the new proposal.
Schengen Visa Fee Hike, European Union Visa Costs, Schengen Fee Increase, EU Visa Price Surge, 12% Schengen Fee Raise