How Schengen Visa Fee Hike Will Affect Your Europe Travel Plans

Yesterday, June 11, marks the implementation of new Schengen visa fees by the European Union, which will result in increased expenses for vacationers wishing to visit Europe. The Slovenian government announced a cost increase that will result in an increase of 12.5 percent for people applying for short-stay visas. Previously, the fee was €80. The application price for children ages 6 to 12 will increase from €40 to €45. This comes after the European Commission decided to modify visa prices due to increased administrative expenses and inflation.

European Commission’s Decision
The European Commission has decided to globally increase the short-stay Schengen visa (type C) fees by 12 percent. As confirmed by the Slovenian Government, the new fees set for adults are €90, and for children aged 6 to under 12, they are €45. Additionally, nationals from countries that are not cooperating on readmission agreements and have irregular migration issues will face even higher visa fees of €135 or €180.

Reasons Cited for the Increase
The European Commission explained that the fee hike is intended to offset inflation and the rising salaries of employees in member states. Visa fees are reviewed and adjusted every three years, with the last change occurring in February 2020. This adjustment comes at a time when there has been a 36.3 percent increase in visa applications in 2023 compared to 2022, although the total number of applications has not yet reached the pre-COVID level of 16 million in 2019.

Countries Covered by the Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa allows travel to 29 European countries, including popular destinations such as Iceland, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, Slovenia, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Breakdown of New Schengen Visa Fees

• Adults: The fee has increased from €80 to €90.
• Children (aged 6 to 12): The fee has increased from €40 to €45.

Schengen Visa Area
With the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, the majority of EU members are included in the Schengen Area. In terms of land borders, it also covers Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Romania, and Bulgaria. For non-EU nationals traveling for leisure or family reasons to South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and China, a Schengen visa is necessary. This visa allows for stays of up to ninety days over a period of six months.

A deal enabling 90 days of visa-free travel within any 180-day period eliminates the requirement for a Schengen visa for visitors from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia for brief stays. Longer stays or work visits, however, will call for a different kind of visa.

Impact on Travelers
For individuals who intend to visit Europe, the increase in Schengen visa costs is noteworthy, especially for families and frequent travelers. This action by the European Union demonstrates the wider influence that international travel policies bear from developments in the world economy.

The top news of today shows that this charge increase is part of a larger trend of modifying travel-related expenses to reflect the state of the economy. It is urged that travelers adjust their plans and budget for these additional expenses. If you’re on a tight budget, it might be worth looking into alternate locations or modifying your itinerary to account for the higher cost of obtaining a visa.

In conclusion, the new Schengen visa fees coming into effect today are a reflection of the ongoing adjustments in global travel policies. As travelers navigate these changes, staying informed and prepared will be key to ensuring smooth and enjoyable travel experiences to Europe.

This story was originally featured on TimesTravel