Schengen Visa Fee 2026: New €90 Cost Explained
€80 is gone. €90 is the new normal, and the VFS surcharges have crept up alongside it. The full 2026 Schengen visa cost breakdown.
The Schengen short-stay visa fee was raised from €80 to €90 on 11 June 2024, and the European Commission's review cycle keeps it locked at €90 through 2026. With ETIAS and EES sitting alongside the existing visa system, it's worth knowing exactly what you're paying, and what you're not.
Quick Facts
| Adult fee | €90 |
|---|---|
| Child 6-11 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| Visa type | Schengen short-stay (Type C) |
| Validity | Up to 5 years multiple entry, 90 days per 180 |
| Refundable | No, even if refused |
What Changed Since the 2024 Increase
The €10 fee bump was driven by inflation and rising consular costs across the Schengen area. Two years on, the practical impact is broader than the headline number:
- VFS Global and TLScontact service fees have crept up at most posts. In India, the VFS service fee is now around €40 on top of the €90 visa fee. In the Philippines, expect roughly €30 in service charges.
- Optional services, premium lounge, courier return, SMS updates, photo, photocopy, typically add €15-€60 per applicant.
- Several consulates (notably Italy's network in India and France's posts in Africa) have introduced a separate 'appointment booking' surcharge of €10-€25.
Net effect: a single Schengen application from many high-volume consulates lands at €130-€180 all-in.
Who Pays the Reduced or Waived Fee
- Free: children under 6, family members of EU/EEA citizens exercising free movement, researchers traveling for scientific research, students traveling for study purposes (under bilateral agreements), holders of diplomatic and service passports.
- €45 reduced: children aged 6 to 11.
- €35 reduced: nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement (Russia is suspended; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cape Verde still apply).
Step-by-Step: What You Pay and When
- Book your appointment via the consulate's official VFS/TLS portal.
- Pay the appointment booking surcharge if your post charges one.
- Attend appointment with documents, biometrics, and €90 visa fee + VFS service fee in local currency.
- Optional: pay extra for SMS, courier return, premium service.
- If approved, your passport returns to you (or to a courier address), no additional issuance fee.
Costs & Processing Times
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult visa fee | €90 |
| Child 6-11 | €45 |
| Typical VFS service fee | €25-€40 |
| Premium lounge (optional) | €40-€80 |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (often 30+ in peak season) |
| Express processing | Not available, Schengen has no premium queue |
Refund Rules
The €90 visa fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. If you withdraw your application before submission, the VFS service fee may be refundable depending on the post. After submission, nothing is refunded, even if your visa is refused, even if you cancel your trip, even if there's a strike at the consulate.
How This Stacks With ETIAS & EES
If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you do not need ETIAS, the visa replaces it. EES applies regardless. So a visa-required traveler in 2026 pays €90 (plus service fees) for the visa and registers biometrics for free at the border. A visa-free traveler pays nothing today, and from late 2026 will pay €7 for an ETIAS authorization. See our France and Germany guides for country-specific consular details.
Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
- Booking through 'visa expediter' websites. They charge €200-€500 in 'service fees' for the same form you can submit directly. The consulate gives them no priority.
- Paying twice. Some posts allow online prepayment, others want cash on the day. Read your appointment confirmation carefully.
- Forgetting children's fees. Each child needs their own application, and their own fee unless under 6.
- Assuming refusal entitles a refund. It does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the €90 fee rise again in 2026?
No increase is scheduled. The Commission reviews fees every three years; the next review is due in 2027.
Can I pay in my local currency?
Yes, most posts charge the local-currency equivalent of €90 calculated at the consulate's monthly exchange rate.
Is the fee the same for every Schengen country?
Yes. The €90 fee is harmonized across all 29 Schengen states.
What's the difference between the visa fee and the VFS service fee?
The €90 goes to the issuing consulate. The VFS/TLS service fee is collected by the visa application center for biometrics, document handling, and courier services. Both are required.
Are tourist groups discounted?
No, every individual pays the full fee. Some posts offer batch processing, which speeds appointments but doesn't reduce cost.
What about long-stay D-visas?
D-visa fees are set nationally, not at EU level. They typically run €60-€180 depending on the country and category.
Can I get a fee waiver if I'm visiting a sick relative?
Some consulates grant fee waivers on humanitarian grounds. Bring documentary proof, hospital letters, family relationship documents, and ask in advance.
By Priya Sharma, visas.guide editorial team. Last updated May 2026. Verify current fees and rules with the official issuing authority before applying.
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