Schengen Visa Cost
Fees and exemptions explained
A Schengen Visa costs €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6-11. Children under 6 are free. Some nationalities have reduced fees through bilateral agreements.
- Adult Fee
- €80
- Child 6-11
- €40
- Under 6
- Free
- Service Fee
- Varies
- Adult visa fee
- €80
- Children 6-12
- €40
- Under 6
- Free
Visa Fee Breakdown
- Adults
- €80
- Children
- €40
- Young children
- Free
- Fee type
- Non-refundable
Ages 12 and over
Ages 6-11
Under 6 years old
Even if denied
About the Visa Fee
The €80 Schengen visa fee is set by EU regulation and applies uniformly across all Schengen countries. This fee covers the processing of your application but does not guarantee approval.
Important: The visa fee is non-refundable. If your application is denied, you will not get your money back. This is why it is important to submit a complete, well-documented application.
Additional Costs to Consider
Service center fee: VFS Global and TLS Contact charge ~€20-35 on top of the visa fee for their services
Courier/delivery: €15-30 if you want your passport delivered instead of collecting it
Travel insurance: €15-50 for the required €30,000 coverage policy
Photos: €5-15 for passport-style photos meeting Schengen requirements
Document translations: Varies, can be €20-50+ per document
Notarization: If required for certain documents
Schengen Visa vs ETIAS vs UK ETA
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen Visa | Embassy application | €80 (adults) |
| ETIAS | Online authorization | €20 (adults) |
| UK ETA | Online authorization | £16 |
Fee Exemptions and Reductions
Some applicants may qualify for reduced fees or exemptions:
Children under 6: Free visa
Children 6-12: Reduced fee of €40
Students/researchers: Some countries waive fees for educational travel
Diplomatic/official passports: Often exempt
EU family members: May be exempt (with residence card)
Certain nationalities: Bilateral agreements may reduce fees for specific countries
Payment Methods
Payment methods accepted vary by location:
- Embassy/consulate: Usually cash (exact amount) or card
- VFS Global/TLS Contact: Card, cash, or sometimes online payment
Check with your specific application location for accepted payment methods. Some only accept local currency; others accept Euros.