Travelling to Europe is about to get a bit pricier. The European Commission has announced an increase in the Schengen visa fees starting June 11, 2024. This change impacts travellers who need a visa to explore the large and beautiful Schengen Zone, which includes popular destinations like France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland.

The New Fee for Schengen Visa

Beginning June 2024, the fee for Schengen visa applications will see a big hike. The new price for Schengen visa applications has been raised from €80 to €90, which is approximately Rs 8,200. This 12% increase aims to cover inflation and running costs linked to visa processing.

For children aged six to twelve, the fee of Schengen visa will increase from €40 to €45, approximately Rs 4,100. These changes in Schengen visa fees reflect the European Union's need to update its visa policy to match current economic conditions.

Why the Price for Schengen Visa Increased

The decision to increase the Schengen visa fees follows a thorough review conducted by the EU in December 2023. The last change occurred in February 2020, when the fee increased from €60 to €80. The European Commission cites inflation and rising government costs, such as civil servants' salaries, as the main reasons for this new hike.

The Schengen Visa Code requires that visa fees be reviewed every three years to ensure they stay in line with economic realities and the cost of maintaining an efficient visa processing system.

Schengen Zone: A Gateway to Europe

The Schengen Zone includes 29 European countries, allowing seamless travel across borders without the need for multiple visas. This includes 25 EU member states such as Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, and others. Non-EU countries like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are also part of this agreement.

Growing Demand from Indian Travellers

Indian travellers have shown an evident 43% increase in Schengen visa applications in 2023 compared to the previous year. India ranked third globally in visa applications, with nearly 966,687 submissions. This increase shows that Europe is a popular travel choice for Indian tourists.

Easier Access with Long-Term Visas

To make frequent travel easier, the European Commission has introduced a new visa "cascade" system. This system allows Indian nationals who have lawfully used two short-term visas within the last three years to apply for a two-year multi-entry visa. After successfully using a two-year visa, they can then apply for a five-year Schengen visa, allowing short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

5-Year Schengen Visa Fee

The introduction of long-term visas, like the five-year Schengen visa, comes with specific fees. The fee for a five-year Schengen visa is set to increase from €80 to €90, approximately Rs 8,200. This suggests that the five-year Schengen visa fee could see similar increases, making long-term travel to Europe more affordable for frequent travellers.

Regular Reviews and Future Changes

The Schengen Visa Code's requirement to review fees every three years ensures that the Schengen visa fee stays fair and sustainable. While the current hike has been large, future changes will continue to match economic conditions and the costs involved in processing visas.

For travellers planning to explore Europe in 2024 and beyond, it's important to budget for these increased costs. Despite the higher fees, the Schengen visa remains a key to unlocking the wonders of Europe, and the opportunity to travel freely across 29 different and beautiful countries is undoubtedly worth the investment.