The European Commission has submitted a proposal to raise the basic fee for a Schengen visa, signaling a potential 12 per cent increase from €80 to €90 for adults and from €40 to €45 for children.
Schengen visas are essential for citizens from non-EU countries that do not benefit from the EU and Schengen area’s 90-day visa-free rule, including nationals from South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and China.
In addition to the general fee increase, the EU is contemplating higher fees for countries demonstrating “insufficient cooperation on readmission.” This pertains to the acceptance of individuals expelled from member states. For such countries, the proposed fee would rise from €120 to €135 for adults and from €160 to €180 for children.
The European Commission presented the draft of the Schengen visa fee increase on February 02, 2024, following support from experts of member states during a meeting in December. The proposal is now open for feedback until March 01, 2024, allowing EU citizens to express their opinions and support or oppose the suggested changes.
If the proposal receives approval, the revised fees could come into effect in the next few months, 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
However, the fee for a Schengen visa extension will remain unchanged at €30, providing some stability for those needing to prolong their stay within the Schengen area.
