Schengen Visa Fees to Rise by 12% from June 2024
The cost of obtaining a Schengen visa will increase significantly from June 11, 2024. The decision was announced by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The new fees will be as follows:
* Adults: 90 pounds (up from 80 pounds)
* Children (6-12 years old): 45 pounds (up from 40 pounds)
The fee increase is a result of a routine three-year assessment mandated by the Schengen Visa Code. The European Union attributes this increase to factors such as inflation and the growing salaries of civil servants.
Visa Requirements for Turkish Nationals
The fee hike has sparked particular unrest among Turkish nationals, who are still anticipating a visa-free agreement with the EU. Turkey has been seeking visa-free travel to the Schengen zone for many years, but negotiations have been stalled due to concerns over Turkey’s human rights record and its compliance with EU standards.
Visa Applications and Approvals
Despite the fee hike, visa applications within the Schengen zone have shown a significant recovery in recent years. In 2023, over 10.3 million short-stay visa applications were processed, reflecting a 37% increase from 2022. However, the figures are still below the 2019 high of 17 million.
Visa approvals also showed a rebound in 2023, with nearly 8.5 million visas granted, an improvement over the 5.9 million in 2022, though still below the 15 million in 2019.
New Visa Regulations for India and GCC Countries
The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime specifically for Indian nationals. Under this system, Indians can now receive long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having successfully obtained and used two visas within the previous three years. Following the two-year visa, a five-year visa may be issued, assuming the passport remains valid.
These visas grant holders the same travel rights as those enjoyed by visa-free nationals during their validity.
New Schengen visa regulations now also extend to citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — as well as Indian citizens. These groups are now eligible for multi-entry visas with extended validity. This change is designed to enhance cultural and economic connections between these countries and the European Union.
The Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries, including 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, along with non-EU states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
