Planning a trip to Europe? Prepare to spend more on your Schengen visa. As of June 11, the European Commission has implemented a 12% increase in short-stay Schengen visa fees, making European travel more expensive for many.

New Schengen Visa Fees
The updated fees apply to Type C Schengen visas, designated for short-term travelers. Here’s the new pricing:

Adults: The fee has increased from €80 to €90.
Children (ages 6 to 12): The fee has risen from €40 to €45.
The Schengen visa permits travel across 27 European countries, including popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Reasons Behind the Increase
The fee hike is intended to align with the rising costs of processing visas and maintaining the security of the Schengen area. This is not the first increase; in February 2020, the fees for adult visas were raised from €60 to €80. At that time, the European Commission cited inflation and the need to cover administrative costs such as background checks, data processing, and secure entry systems.

Special Rates for Certain Countries
Travelers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus will continue to pay a reduced fee of €35. Meanwhile, applicants from Cabo Verde will pay €60.

The increase aims to ensure that the costs of visa processing and security measures are adequately covered, maintaining the integrity and safety of the Schengen zone.

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