Schengen Visa Will Now Make Your Europe Trip Costlier, Here’s Why

Travelling to Europe is going to become more expensive as the European Union has announced a hike in the Schengen visa fees. The revised fees will be applicable from June 11, 2024.

The European Commission confirmed the hike in the visa fees, reported Business Standard. Issuing an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign And European Affairs in Slovenia said that the fee for adult applicants will increase by €10 from €80 to €90. For Indian adults, the visa fees would be approximately Rs 8,141. At the same time, the fees for children between 6-12 years will rise by €5 from €40 to €45, translating into Rs 4,070 approximately for Indian applicants. 

“Additionally, the fee for children aged six to twelve will increase from €40 to €45. For countries not cooperating with the EU on the readmission of their irregularly staying citizens, visa fees could surge to €135 or even €180,” the ministry said. 

The Slovenian government informed, “The European Commission adopted a decision to increase short stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees worldwide by 12 per cent. The increase will apply worldwide as of 11 June 2024.”

The Schengen Visa Code requires a review of the visa fees every three years. The last review of the fees was done in December 2023. The EU explained that this hike was implemented due to inflation and to meet the salaries of the civil servants. Earlier in February 2020, the fees was hiked from €60 to €80.

The Schengen Visa allows an individual to travel to more than 29 European countries with a single visa, including 25 EU states. These countries are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Estonia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Hungary, Netherlands, Austria, Malta, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Also Read : Bengaluru International Airport Withdraws Vehicle Entry Fee Amid Backlash: Report