On February 2, the European Commission suggested increasing Schengen visa fees by 12% this year. If it happens, adults would pay €90 instead of €80, and kids aged 6 to 12 would pay €45 instead of €40.
The reason for this proposal is to keep up with inflation and salary changes for civil servants in the EU over the past three years, as per the EU Visa Code.
Right now, people from 61 non-EU countries, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Kosovo can enter the Schengen Area without a visa. Others need to apply, and the new fee for adults might go up to €120-€160 if a country isn’t cooperating enough on readmission. If you use a third party to apply, they can charge extra, but only up to half of the official cost, meaning €45 for adults and €22.5 for kids.
If approved, adults would pay €90, kids would pay €45, and adults from uncooperative countries might pay €135-€180. Third-party service fees would go up to €45 for adults and €22.5 for kids. The €30 visa extension fee would stay the same.
People can share their thoughts on this until March 1, and if it gets the green light, the changes will kick in within 20 days.
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