EU planning to increase the Schengen visa fees

Brussels: The European Commission has proposed fee hike for the Schengen visa application – when implemented the new fee rate will go up from €80 to €90 for adults and from €40 to €45 for children.

The European Union (EU) is also planning to raise the fee even more for countries showing “insufficient cooperation on readmission,” which refers to accepting the re-entry of individuals expelled from Member states. For countries which have not demonstrated cooperation in citizen readmission, the cost will increase from €120 to €135 and from €160 to €180.

The Commission has emphasised that the proposed price hike has been caused by the rising inflation rate in the EU. The body undertakes a revision of the Schengen visa fee every three years. The revision of the visa fees does not affect the fees laid out in visa facilitation agreements, unless the agreement’s provisions make explicit reference to the visa fees set out in the Visa Code.

Nationals of countries including South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China require the Schengen visa, which permits stay in 28 European countries for up to 90 days for tourism purposes or family visits.