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Schengen Visa Fees: What You Need to Know: If you’re planning to visit one or more of the countries in the Schengen Area, you’ll likely need to apply for a Schengen Visa. This visa allows you to travel freely between the participating countries without having to go through customs and immigration at each border crossing. However, obtaining a Schengen Visa isn’t free. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Schengen Visa fees, including how much they cost, who has to pay them, and what they cover.
What is a Schengen Visa?
Before we get into the details of Schengen Visa fees, let’s review what a Schengen Visa is and what it allows you to do. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that you can travel freely between these countries without having to show your passport or go through customs and immigration at each border crossing.
However, if you’re a citizen of a country that is not part of the Schengen Area, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to travel to the participating countries. The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
The cost of a Schengen Visa varies depending on several factors, including your age, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your trip. As of 2024, the standard Schengen Visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from the visa fee. However, there are some exceptions and additional fees that may apply, such as:
- Reduced fee: In some cases, you may be eligible for a reduced fee of €35. This applies to certain categories of travelers, such as students, researchers, and family members of EU citizens.
- Urgent processing fee: If you need your visa processed urgently, you can pay an additional fee of €30.
- Service fee: If you apply for your visa through a visa application center, you may need to pay a service fee on top of the visa fee. The service fee varies depending on the center.
It’s important to note that the visa fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected.
Who Has to Pay the Schengen Visa Fee?
Anyone who applies for a Schengen Visa has to pay the visa fee, unless they are exempt. As mentioned earlier, children under the age of 6 are exempt from the fee, as well as certain categories of travelers who are eligible for a reduced fee. However, even if you are eligible for a reduced fee, you will still need to pay something.
It’s also worth noting that you will need to pay the visa fee even if your application is rejected. This is because the fee covers the processing costs of your application, which are incurred regardless of whether your application is successful or not.
What Does the Schengen Visa Fee Cover?
The Schengen Visa fee covers the cost of processing your visa application. This includes things like:
- Checking your documents and verifying your identity
- Conducting a background check to ensure that you do not pose a security or health risk to the Schengen Area
- Interviewing you (if necessary)
- Issuing the visa
It’s important to note that the visa fee does not cover any additional costs that you may incur as a result of your trip, such as transportation, accommodation, or travel insurance.
