The Schengen visa, which facilitates travel across 27 European countries, including popular tourist destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, is set to become more expensive starting June 11.
The Schengen visa fee increase announcement
This change comes as the European Commission has announced a global increase in the fees for short-stay Schengen visas, specifically visa type C. The increase will see a 12% rise in the cost of these visas, impacting travelers worldwide who plan to visit Europe.
With the new fee structure, adult applicants will now have to pay 90 euros (approximately Dh359), up from the current fee of 80 euros (Dh319). For children aged between 6 and 12 years, the fee will increase from 40 euros (Dh160) to 45 euros (Dh180). This adjustment will be applicable to all visa applications submitted globally, reflecting a uniform increase across all regions.
Schengen visa holders are granted unimpeded travel throughout 27 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, all of which are popular tourism destinations. The purpose of this fee adjustment is to correspond with the increasing expenses related to visa processing and the upkeep of the security infrastructure in the Schengen area.
In February 2020, the adult Schengen visa cost was increased from 60 euros (Dh240) to 80 euros (Dh319), marking the last change to the prices. Reasons given by the European Commission for the most recent hike include rising prices and the necessity to pay for administrative costs associated with visa processing. To protect the security and integrity of the Schengen zone, these costs include conducting thorough background checks, processing data, and ensuring the operation of secure entry systems.
Purpose of the Fee Adjustment
For adult travelers, the new fee will be 90 euros (Dh359), while for children aged 6 to below 12, the fee will be 45 euros (Dh180). These hikes are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the costs related to visa processing and security measures are adequately covered. The Commission emphasized that the increase is necessary to cope with the higher operational costs and to maintain the effectiveness and security of the Schengen visa system.
This increase in visa fees aims to provide the necessary financial resources to manage the administrative and security tasks that come with the visa process. By ensuring that the visa fees align more closely with the actual costs incurred, the European Commission seeks to maintain the high standards of security and efficiency that the Schengen visa system is known for. As such, travelers planning to visit Europe should be prepared for this increase in visa costs starting June 11.
