The European Commission has blamed the price rise on inflation in member states.
The European Commission has confirmed that the Schengen visa It will increase in price in June. Its price will increase by 12%. The basic fee for the Schengen visa will go from 80 to 90 euros for adults and from 40 to 45 euros for children. The Commission has blamed the price rise on inflation in the Member States.
He says the fees remain “relatively low” compared to the cost of a visa in other countries. The United Kingdom, for example, costs from 134 euros, the United States about 185 euros and Australia 117 euros.
Schengen countries are member states of the EU except Ireland and Cyprusas well as Romania and Bulgaria in the case of land borders. Although they are not members of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen Convention.
Who needs a Schengen visa?
Schengen visas are required for citizens of non-EU countries who do not benefit from the 90-day rule of the EU/Schengen area. This includes, among others, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China.
They are needed for tourism or visiting family, but cannot be used for work in 28 European countries. With a Schengen visa, you can visit up to 90 days in a six-month period.
Citizens of countries like United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia Those visiting for short periods do not need to apply for a Schengen visa. This is because they are entitled to 90 days of visa-free travel out of every 180. Those who wish to stay longer or for work reasons must apply for a different visa for the country they wish to visit.
Why are Schengen visa fees increasing?
Every three years, the Commission evaluates these rates and may increase them based on a list of “objective criteria.” Among them are inflation rates and the average salary of a civil servant in the Member States.
The Commission proposed the price increase on February 2, following a meeting in December in which Member States supported the revision by an “overwhelming majority”. The Commission has also proposed allowing third-party Schengen visa providers to increase their fees in line with the review.
The maximum amount that external providers, such as visa agencies that collect Schengen visa applications on behalf of Member States, can charge is usually half the standard fee. The Commission has proposed increasing it from 40 to 45 euros.
On the other hand, the rate for extension of a targeted Schengen will continue to be 30 euros. The EU is also considering further increasing fees for countries that show “insufficient readmission cooperation”, that is, that accept the re-entry of people expelled from Member States. For countries that have not demonstrated cooperation in the readmission of citizens,The cost could increase from 120 to 135 euros and from 160 to 180 euros.
