EU Will Not Increase Schengen Visa Fees for All: Here Are the Exemptions

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Starting June 11, Schengen visa fees will rise by 12.5%, but certain categories will retain the rates from before February 2, 2020.
2. Applicants from countries with visa facilitation agreements with the EU will not be affected by the new Schengen visa fee changes.
3. Categories exempt from visa fees will continue to be exempt.

Schengen visa fees for adults and children will increase by 12.5% starting June 11. Embassies and consulates have been notifying nationals in third countries about this change since the decision was published on May 22 in the Official Journal of the European Union. From June 11, adult visa fees will rise from €80 to €90, while fees for children will go from €40 to €45. 

However, the fee increase does not apply to everyone. Nationals from countries with visa facilitation agreements with the EU will continue to pay €35. These countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (except officials), and Cape Verde. Additionally, nationals of eight countries with visa-free entry agreements, who do not have biometric passports, will also pay €35. These countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

For countries not cooperating on readmission, visa fees will increase to €135 or €180, but children's fees will rise only to €45. Article 1 (2a) of the Schengen Visa Code amending regulation specifies that these higher fees do not apply to children under 12 years.

Certain categories will continue to be exempt from paying visa fees, including family members of EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports, pupils, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers on study or professional training visits, and representatives of non-profit organizations under 26 participating in seminars, conferences, or events organized by non-profits. 

Applicants in these categories should verify their exemption status with the consulate where they apply.