Schengen Visa Fees to Increase by 12% In June: Travellers to Europe will soon face higher visa application fees. The European Commission has approved a 12 per cent increase in Schengen visa fees, applicable worldwide from June 11, 2024, according to Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. This move comes at the same time when the bloc is trying to promote tourism in the region.

The new fee structure will see adult applicants pay €90 (previously €80) and children aged 6-12 pay €45 (previously €40). Countries deemed uncooperative with the EU’s efforts to repatriate their citizens may face even steeper hikes, with fees potentially reaching €135 or €180.

Currently, a euro (€) is equal to 90.45 Indian rupees.

“The European Commission adopted a decision to increase short-stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees worldwide by 12 per cent. This increase will apply globally starting June 11, 2024,” the Slovenian government stated.

The European Commission cites inflation and rising civil servant salaries as justification for the increase. The previous fee hike occurred in February 2020.

This decision comes after a scheduled review of EU visa fees that took place in December 2023, which occurs every three years as stipulated by the Schengen Visa Code.

The Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries, offering visa-free travel for short stays to holders of a Schengen visa. These include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (not officially Schengen Area but applies regulations), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Disappointment Move for Some

This news comes as a disappointment for some, particularly Turkish citizens who have long awaited a visa-free travel agreement with the EU.

In 2023, the Schengen region received over 10.3 million short-stay visa applications, reflecting a 37 per cent year-on-year rise. However, this is still below the pre-pandemic peak of 17 million applications received in 2019.

India secured the third position in terms of visa applications for Europe, with a total of 9,66,687 submissions.

The visa fee hike comes at the same when Europe wants tourists from across the globe. On April 18, 2024, the European Commission introduced a new visa regime specifically for Indian citizens residing in India, referred to as a “visa cascade”. It included easier access to multi-entry visas, rewarding positive visa history and potential for a five-year visa.