The European Commission has declared a 12 per cent increase in Schengen visa fees globally, effective from June 11, 2024. This decision will affect millions of travellers seeking to visit the 29 countries within the Schengen Area.
Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirmed the news, stating, “The fee for adult applicants will rise from €80 to €90. Additionally, the fee for children aged six to 12 will increase from €40 to €45.”
For countries not cooperating with the European Union on the readmission of their irregularly staying citizens, the visa fees could see a steeper hike, potentially surging to €135 or even €180.
The European Union cited inflation and the rising salaries of civil servants as the primary reasons for the price hike, as reported by Business Standard. The Schengen Visa Code mandates that EU visa fees be reviewed every three years. The last adjustment was in February 2020, when fees increased from €60 to €80.
A Schengen visa permits non-EU citizens to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This area includes 29 European countries, with 25 being EU member states. The countries in the Schengen zone are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
This fee increase aims to offset administrative costs and ensure that the processing of visas remains efficient and sustainable amidst economic fluctuations. While the increase is relatively modest, it highlights the EU’s ongoing adjustments to economic conditions and operational costs associated with visa processing.
Travellers planning to visit the Schengen Area are advised to account for the new fees in their travel budgets and to stay informed about any additional changes that may arise as the implementation date approaches.