The Schengen Visa, a critical document allowing visa-free travel to over 29 European countries, is about to become more expensive. Beginning on June 11, 2024, applicants will face higher fees for obtaining this essential travel document. The European Commission has announced this fee increase, confirmed by Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The fee for adult applicants will rise from €80 to €90, approximately Rs 8,200. For children aged six to twelve, the fee will increase from €40 to €45, around Rs 4,100. Additionally, for countries not cooperating with the EU on the readmission of their irregularly staying citizens, visa fees could surge to €135 or even €180.
This increase is part of a decision by the European Commission to raise short-stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees worldwide by 12 percent, effective from June 11, 2024. This decision follows a mandatory review of EU visa fees in December 2023, as required by the Schengen Visa Code every three years. The primary reasons cited for this hike are inflation and the salaries of civil servants. The last increase took place in February 2020, when the fees rose from €60 to €80.
The Schengen area, which encompasses 29 European countries including 25 EU states, is home to countries such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
There has been a growing interest from Indian nationals in traveling to Europe, with a 43 percent increase in Schengen visa applications in 2023 compared to 2022. India ranked third in visa applications, with 966,687 filings. Chinese nationals led with 1.1 million applications, marking China’s return to the top spot since 2018. According to SchengenVisaInfo, over 10 percent of 2023 applications came from Chinese nationals, followed by Turkish and Indian nationals.
To facilitate easier access for Indian nationals, the European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime. This system allows Indian residents to obtain a two-year multi-entry visa after lawfully using two visas within the previous three years. Following this, they can apply for a five-year visa, enabling short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Under the EU Visa Code, the Schengen Zone has the right to review visa fees every three years. In 2020, the Schengen visa cost increased from €60 to €80, approximately Rs 5,400 to Rs 7,200. The upcoming increase in June 2024 will see the fee rise to €90, around Rs 8,200.
