The cost of a Schengen visa application is set by the European Union and applies uniformly across all 29 Schengen Area member states. As of June 2024, the standard adult visa fee is €90, following a scheduled increase from the previous rate of €80. Children aged 6 to 11 pay a reduced fee of €45, and several categories of applicants are exempt from fees entirely. Understanding exactly what you will pay, when you pay it, and what additional costs to budget for is essential before you submit your application.

Who This Guide Is For

This tutorial is written for first-time and repeat Schengen visa applicants who want a clear picture of all costs involved before they begin the process. It covers the official EU visa fee schedule, exemptions, common ancillary costs, and the sequence in which expenses arise. If you are also looking for a broader overview of the process, the step-by-step guide to applying for a Schengen visa is a useful companion to this article.

What You Need Before You Begin

Before calculating your total costs, confirm you have the following:

  • A valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area, and at least two blank pages
  • Clarity on which Schengen country is your main destination (this determines which consulate or embassy accepts your application)
  • Your nationality and age confirmed, as these determine your fee category
  • A realistic travel itinerary, including your intended entry and exit dates

Step 1: Confirm the Correct Fee for Your Category

The Schengen visa fee is the mandatory payment made to the consulate or visa application centre at the time of submission; it covers administrative processing and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

The EU revised its fee schedule in June 2024 under Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (the Visa Code). The current fees are as follows:

Applicant Category Fee
Adults (12 and over) €90
Children aged 6-11 €45
Children under 6 Free
Holders of diplomatic or service passports (selected nationalities) Free
Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Free
Researchers, students, and pupils on approved exchanges (selected agreements) Free

According to the European Commission, fee waivers and reductions for specific nationalities depend on bilateral agreements between the EU and individual countries. Check with your nearest Schengen member state embassy or consulate to confirm whether your nationality qualifies for a reduction or exemption under an existing agreement.

Action: Before anything else, locate your applicant category in the table above and note the fee. This is the non-negotiable baseline cost of your application.

Step 2: Identify Any Additional Costs

The consulate fee is rarely your only expense. Most applicants encounter several ancillary costs that, in combination, can significantly exceed the base fee. Budget for all of the following:

Visa Application Centre Service Fee

If you are applying through a third-party Visa Application Centre (VAC) such as VFS Global or TLScontact, the centre charges a service fee on top of the consulate fee. This service fee typically ranges from €20 to €40 depending on your country of residence and the VAC operator. The service fee is paid directly to the VAC and is separate from the consulate fee.

Travel Insurance

Schengen visa applicants are required to hold travel insurance that covers medical emergencies to a minimum of €30,000 and is valid across all Schengen states for the entire duration of the intended trip. Insurance costs vary by nationality, age, trip length, and provider. For most applicants, a single-entry short-stay policy costs between €15 and €40. Understanding what to look for in a policy is covered in depth in this guide to travel insurance for visa applications.

Document Preparation

Some applicants require translated or notarised documents. Translation fees vary by language pair and jurisdiction but typically range from €20 to €80 per document. Notarisation, where required, adds further cost. Factor this in early if your supporting documents are not in the official language of the receiving consulate.

Courier or Postal Fees

Some consulates and VACs allow or require documents to be submitted or returned by post. Courier fees vary but should be confirmed with the application centre before you budget.

Biometric Data Collection

Biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) is required for most Schengen visa applicants. If you are applying through a VAC, biometric collection is typically included in the service fee. If you are applying directly at a consulate that charges separately, confirm whether biometrics carry an additional cost.

Understanding the total cost of a visa application across document categories is worth reviewing before you finalise your budget.

Step 3: Book Your Accommodation Before You Pay

Proof of accommodation is a mandatory component of every Schengen visa application. Consulates require confirmation that you have a confirmed place to stay for every night of your visit. This document must be obtained and submitted alongside your application it is not optional.

Many applicants are unaware that booking a hotel specifically for a visa application does not require full payment in advance. A confirmed hotel reservation for visa purposes one that shows your name, travel dates, hotel address, and a confirmation number is sufficient. Paying for accommodation you have not yet decided to use is unnecessary and potentially wasteful if your visa is refused.

HotelForVisa.com provides verified hotel reservations accepted by Schengen consulates, without requiring upfront payment for the stay itself. This approach protects applicants from losing hotel costs if an application is refused.

To understand which reservation formats Schengen consulates accept and which do not meet requirements, the guide to hotel reservations for Schengen visas explains the standards in detail.

Action: Secure your proof of accommodation before you book your appointment. Many consulates require it at the time of submission. Do not leave this until the last step.

Step 4: Gather All Supporting Documents

A complete application includes every required supporting document. Submitting an incomplete file is one of the most common reasons for delays and refusals. The documents required for a standard Schengen visa include:

  1. Completed and signed application form (Schengen visa application form)
  2. Valid passport (plus copies of all previous visas)
  3. Two recent passport-sized photographs meeting Schengen photo standards
  4. Proof of travel insurance meeting the €30,000 minimum
  5. Confirmed round-trip flight itinerary or reservation
  6. Proof of accommodation for the full duration of the trip
  7. Proof of financial means (bank statements, payslips, or equivalent)
  8. Proof of employment or study (employment letter, business registration, or student enrolment)
  9. Cover letter explaining the purpose and itinerary of the trip

For a full checklist of what each document must contain, the documents required for Schengen visa page provides detailed specifications. If you need guidance on how to present your purpose and itinerary in written form, the guide to how to write a cover letter for a visa application is a practical resource. For your flight booking documentation, the guide on how to get a flight itinerary for a visa application covers acceptable formats.

Action: Compile all documents before booking your appointment. Missing a document at the submission stage means returning with a new appointment, which can cost additional time and in some centres, additional fees.

Step 5: Submit Your Application and Pay the Fee

Once your documents are assembled, proceed with the following steps to submit your application and make payment:

  1. Book your appointment at the relevant embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Centre for the Schengen country that is your primary destination.
  2. Attend your appointment in person. Schengen visa applications cannot be submitted by post for first-time applicants; biometric data collection requires your physical presence.
  3. Submit your complete document set at the counter. The officer will review your file before accepting it.
  4. Pay the consulate fee at the time of submission. Most consulates and VACs accept cash in the local currency or card payment. Confirm the accepted payment method with your specific centre in advance, as policies vary.
  5. Pay the VAC service fee if applicable. This is typically collected separately at the same appointment.
  6. Receive your payment receipt. Keep this document. It serves as proof of submission and is required if you need to query the status of your application or request a refund in exceptional circumstances.

The consulate fee of €90 (or applicable reduced rate) is paid at this stage. Payment is non-refundable, even if your application is refused or if you withdraw it after submission.

Step 6: Track Your Application After Payment

Standard Schengen visa processing takes up to 15 calendar days from the date of submission, according to the European Commission. In practice, processing times vary by consulate, season, and applicant volume. Some consulates and VACs provide an online tracking reference number with your receipt.

During this period:

  • Do not book non-refundable flights or make irrecoverable travel commitments. Wait for a decision before purchasing your ticket.
  • Do not submit additional documents unless the consulate specifically requests them.
  • Do not contact the consulate to inquire before the standard processing window has elapsed. Premature contact does not accelerate processing.

If your application is taking longer than 15 calendar days without any communication, contact the VAC or consulate where you submitted to confirm whether additional documents have been requested or whether there is a processing backlog.

What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?

If the consulate refuses your application, the visa fee is not refunded. Refusal does not carry a permanent record or block on future applications, but the reasons for refusal are provided on the rejection notice and should be addressed before reapplying.

Common reasons for refusal include insufficient financial means, incomplete documentation, and accommodation or itinerary issues. The top reasons visa applications get rejected and how to avoid them is a detailed resource for understanding and correcting these issues before reapplying. For accommodation-specific rejections, why your visa was denied: accommodation issues explained addresses the most frequent documentation errors.

You may appeal a refusal through the process indicated on your rejection notice, or reapply with a corrected and complete file. A fresh application requires a new fee payment.

FAQ

How much does a Schengen visa cost in 2024?

The standard Schengen visa fee for adults (aged 12 and over) is €90, following the EU fee increase that took effect in June 2024. Children aged 6 to 11 pay €45. Children under 6 are exempt. Certain nationalities covered by bilateral EU agreements may qualify for a reduced or waived fee; confirm your eligibility with the consulate before applying.

Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if my application is refused?

No. The Schengen visa fee is non-refundable in all circumstances, including refusal, withdrawal after submission, or cancellation of travel plans. The fee covers administrative processing costs, not the outcome of the application. Budget for this as a fixed, unrecoverable expense.

Do I have to pay the Schengen visa fee in euros?

Not necessarily. Payment is made in the currency accepted by the specific consulate or Visa Application Centre in your country of residence. Many centres convert the euro-denominated fee to the local currency at the current exchange rate. Confirm the accepted currency and payment method directly with your application centre before your appointment.

What is the VAC service fee and is it separate from the consulate fee?

The Visa Application Centre (VAC) service fee is a separate charge collected by the VAC operator (such as VFS Global or TLScontact) for facilitating the submission process. It is paid in addition to the €90 consulate fee and typically ranges from €20 to €40 depending on the operator and country. The two fees are paid separately and do not replace each other.

Do children pay a Schengen visa fee?

Children aged 6 to 11 pay a reduced fee of €45. Children under 6 are completely exempt from the Schengen visa fee. Both categories must still submit a complete application with all required supporting documents; the exemption applies only to the fee, not to the documentation requirements.

Can I submit a Schengen visa application without a confirmed hotel booking?

No. Proof of accommodation is a mandatory requirement for every Schengen visa application. The consulate requires confirmation of where you will stay for every night of your trip. The accommodation document must include your name, travel dates, the property address, and a valid confirmation number. A verified hotel reservation obtained without full payment in advance meets this requirement, provided it is a genuine, confirmable booking.

What happens if I pay the fee and then decide not to travel?

The visa fee is forfeited. Once payment is made at the time of submission, the fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you travel, whether your application is approved, or whether you cancel your plans. For this reason, applicants are advised not to purchase non-refundable flights or fully paid accommodation until the visa has been approved.

How early can I apply for a Schengen visa?

According to the Schengen Visa Code, applications may be submitted no earlier than six months before the intended date of travel. The recommended window is between three and six weeks before departure to allow sufficient processing time. Applying too close to your travel date risks not receiving a decision in time.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Schengen visa fee for adults is €90 as of June 2024, increased from the previous €80 rate.
  • Children aged 6 to 11 pay €45; children under 6 are exempt. Some nationalities qualify for bilateral fee reductions.
  • The consulate fee is non-refundable in all circumstances, including refusal.
  • Additional costs including the VAC service fee (€20-€40), travel insurance (€15-€40), and document translation must be budgeted separately.
  • Proof of accommodation is a mandatory document and must be obtained before submission, not after.
  • Do not purchase non-refundable flights or accommodation until your visa has been approved.
  • Standard processing takes up to 15 calendar days; apply three to six weeks before your intended travel date.
  • Incomplete applications are a leading cause of delays and refusals; compile your full document set before booking your appointment.