How Does The New Hike In Schengen Visa Fees Affect Your Plans To Travel To Europe?

Published on May 21, 2024

By: Rana Pratap

Starting June 2024, a significant hike in Schengen visa fees will affect travel costs and plans for tourists visiting Europe.

Starting from June 11, 2024, the cost of obtaining a Schengen visa will increase, as confirmed by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Adults applying for visas will now pay 90 pounds, up from the current fee of 80 pounds, while fees for children between the ages of six and twelve will rise to 45 pounds from 40 pounds. Additionally, nations that do not cooperate with the EU on the repatriation of citizens who are in the EU without authorization could see visa fees surge to 135 pounds or even 180 pounds.

The announcement from the Slovenian authorities stated that the 12% rise in the fees for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C) is a global adjustment. The review in December 2023, a routine three-year assessment mandated by the Schengen Visa Code, led to this decision. The European Union attributes this increase to factors such as inflation and the growing salaries of civil servants. The last increase was in February 2020, when fees jumped from 60 pounds to 80 pounds.

This fee hike has sparked particular unrest among Turkish nationals, who are still anticipating a visa-free agreement with the EU. Despite a significant recovery in visa applications within the Schengen zone—over 10.3 million in 2023, up 37% from 2022—the figures are still below the 2019 high of 17 million.

In 2023, the European Commission noted that consulates across the EU and associated Schengen states processed over 10.3 million short-stay visa applications, reflecting a 37% increase from 2022, but still not reaching the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 when 17 million were processed. Visa approvals also showed a rebound in 2023, with nearly 8.5 million visas granted, an improvement over the 5.9 million in 2022, though still below the 15 million in 2019.

The five leading countries for visa applications in 2023 were:

• China, with 1,117,365 applications, a sharp increase from 92,780 in 2022.
• Turkey, submitting 1,055,885 applications, up from 778,409.
• India, with 966,687 applications, increasing from 671,928.
• Morocco, with 591,401 applications, up from 423,201.
• Russia, with 520,387 applications, a decrease from 687,239 in 2022.

The European Commission also introduced a new visa “cascade” regime specifically for Indian nationals. Under this system, Indians can now receive long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having successfully obtained and used two visas within the previous three years. Following the two-year visa, a five-year visa may be issued, assuming the passport remains valid. These visas grant holders the same travel rights as those enjoyed by visa-free nationals during their validity.

New Schengen visa regulations now also extend to citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — as well as Indian citizens. These groups are now eligible for multi-entry visas with extended validity. This change is designed to enhance cultural and economic connections between these countries and the European Union.

The Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, along with non-EU states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.