Increase in Schengen visa fee raises cost of Europe vacation

Travelers planning to visit a Schengen country during the upcoming summer holidays in the UAE will now have to pay a higher visa fee. Effective June 11, a revised Schengen visa fee structure has been implemented globally. The visa fee for adults has been increased from 80 euros to 90 euros, while for children aged six to twelve, it has risen from 40 euros to 45 euros.

The European Commission announced the decision to hike the fees by 12.5 percent in March this year. The fee increase has been attributed to rising inflation and growing civil worker wages. The revised fees will be applicable to all visa applications submitted on or after June 11.

A Schengen visa is an entry permit for certain non-EU nationals to make a short visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area. The visa comes in three types: single-entry visa, multiple-entry visa, and airport transit visa. It is important to note that the Schengen visa is valid for tourism, business, or family visits. Different types of visas or residence permits are required for longer stays for work or study.

The Schengen area includes most EU countries, with the recent addition of Bulgaria and Romania as of March 31, 2024. The countries in the Schengen area are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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