SPOTLIGHTS
- The 12% increase is attributed to inflation in EU member states
- The Schengen visa grants access to 26 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
- The EU is considering further fee increases for countries that don’t cooperate with the return of their citizens who are expelled from the Schengen zone
By John Ogunsemore
Non-European Union citizens applying for a Schengen visa will face a slightly heavier price starting Tuesday, June 11.
The European Commission announced a 12% increase in visa fees, raising the cost from €80 to €90 for adults and €40 to €45 for children aged 6-12, Euro News reports.
The price hike follows a standard three-year review process by the commission, citing inflation in member states. The increase received overwhelming support from EU member states.
The Schengen visa grants access to the borderless zone encompassing 26 EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, but does not cover travel to Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Romania and Bulgaria.
The commission reviews visa fees every three years to account for economic changes.
It maintains that these new fees remain relatively low compared to other major destinations, with visa costs reaching €185 in the US, €134 in the UK and €117 in Australia.
The commission has also authorised external service providers, like agencies that assist with visa applications, to raise their fees, with the maximum limit increasing from €40 to €45.
The cost for visa extensions remains unchanged at €30.
The EU is considering a further fee increase for countries deemed uncooperative with “readmission,” the process of accepting their citizens who are expelled from Schengen member states.
Fees for these countries could rise from €120 to €135 and €160 to €180.