This is why Europe’s travel packages will cost more now!

With Schengen Visa fee hike, flying to European countries from India is set to become further costlier. Some of the countries for which Visa fees have been hiked are France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

The European Commission has hiked Schengen Visa fees to Euro 90 from Euro 80 earlier for adults. (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

New Delhi: The European Commission has hiked Schengen Visa fees by around 12 per cent for Europe bound travelers. For adults, the fees have been hiked to Euro 90 from Euro 80. For children from six-year-old to 12-year-old, the visa fee has increased to Euro 45 from Euro 40. The European Commission has attributed the fee hike to inflation and rise in salaries of civil servants in Europe.

Flying to Europe from India to get costlier

Now, flying to European countries from India will become costlier. Currently, One Euro is equal to Rs 90. In Rupee terms, Euro 90 will be equivalent to Rs 8,100. For children, the new Schengen Visa fee will be Rs 4,050. Airfares on India-Europe route have been on the rise since Covid-19 pandemic. Due to post Covid travel boom, airfares were already elevated on this route.

How much is the demand for Schengen Visas?

In 2023, the Schengen region had received 1.03 crore applications from all around the world for such visas. India ranked three among the countries with highest number of applications for such visas.

What are Schengen Visas?

Schengen visas are given to people who fly into European countries for a short stay of 90 days to 180 days. These are short stay visas. With Schengen Visa, the individual can travel among all Schengen countries uninterrupted. These are of four types namely, Visa types—A, B, C, and D.

Schengen countries

Schengen countries are a group of 26 European countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement for free movement of people and trade of goods and services among them. Some of these countries are France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, etc.