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Buy Schengen Visa: Official Fees and Application Process
- Posted
- Editor
- Tessa Quinn
- 6 min read
Contents
You cannot buy a Schengen visa from third parties. As of 11 June 2024, the official fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–11[1]. Children under 6 pay nothing[2]. A service fee may apply at authorised centres such as VFS Global or TLScontact[3]. Paying intermediaries does not improve your chances[3]. First step: identify the embassy for your main destination and book an appointment through its official provider.
What you get
- Official visa fee schedule
- The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 pay no visa fee. [1][2]
- Legitimate payment channels
- You pay the visa fee directly at an authorised visa application centre, such as VFS Global or TLScontact, or at an embassy or consulate. A separate service fee may apply to the Official External Service Provider handling your application. [3]
- Protection against intermediaries
- The European External Action Service warns that paying extra fees to intermediaries or travel agencies does not increase your chances of getting a visa. These parties do not have better access to embassies or consulates. [3]
- Fee review timeline
- Schengen visa fees are reviewed every three years under the Visa Code. Adjustments are based on objective criteria including Euro area annual inflation and the average salary of EU civil servants. [1]
- Reduced rates under facilitation agreements
- Nationals of Cabo Verde pay EUR 67.50 under the corresponding visa facilitation agreement. Visa fees under other facilitation agreements remain EUR 35. [1]
Schengen Visa Fee Structure (from 11 June 2024)
| Applicant Category | Official Fee (EUR) | Effective Date | Requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (12 years and older) | 90 | 11 June 2024 | Valid passport, completed application form, biometrics appointment at authorised visa centre or embassy | Fee applies to all applications lodged on or after 11 June 2024 worldwide; additional service fee may apply at Official External Service Provider |
| Children aged 6–11 years | 45 | 11 June 2024 | Valid passport, completed application form, biometrics appointment; parental consent documentation | Maximum fee is EUR 45; actual fee set by processing country; service fee may apply |
| Children under 6 years | 0 (exempt) | 11 June 2024 | Valid passport, completed application form; parental consent documentation | Fully exempt from visa fee; service fee at application centre may still apply |
| Nationals of Cabo Verde (visa facilitation agreement) | 67.50 | 11 June 2024 | Valid passport, proof of Cabo Verde nationality, completed application form | Reduced rate under bilateral agreement; applies only to Cabo Verde nationals |
| Nationals under other visa facilitation agreements | 35 | As of 11 June 2024 | Valid passport, proof of nationality under applicable agreement, completed application form | Reduced rate under specific bilateral agreements; check eligibility with destination country embassy |
How to Obtain a Schengen Visa
Identify the correct embassy or consulate
Apply to the country that is your main destination. If you plan to visit several Schengen states, apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If no main destination exists, apply to the country of first entry.
Complete the official application form
Use the harmonised Schengen visa application form. Provide your personal details, travel dates, accommodation, and purpose of visit. The form is available from the embassy, consulate, or the official external service provider.
Book an appointment through the official service provider
Schedule your appointment via the authorised channel, such as VFS Global or TLScontact. The European External Action Service warns against paying extra fees to intermediaries or travel agencies. Using their services does not increase your chances of getting a visa and they do not have better access to embassies or consulates[3].
Pay the visa fee and any service fee
As of 11 June 2024, the Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged six to below 12 years. Children under six are exempt from the visa fee entirely[1][2]. A separate service fee may be charged by the official external service provider collecting your application[3].
Attend your biometrics appointment
Submit your application in person. Provide fingerprints and a photograph if required. Bring your passport, supporting documents, and proof of payment.
Wait for processing and collect your passport
Processing times vary by embassy and season. The standard maximum processing time under the Visa Code is 15 calendar days, but this can be extended in individual cases. Check with the specific embassy or consulate for current timelines.
Verify the decision and visa details
Check the visa sticker in your passport. Confirm the validity dates, number of entries, and duration of stay. If you believe an error occurred, contact the issuing authority immediately.
Risks, Limitations and Guarantees
No guarantee of approval exists. Paying the EUR 90 visa fee does not ensure you will receive a Schengen visa[1]. Each application is assessed individually by the embassy or consulate. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused.
Service fees are additional. The official visa fee of EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–11 covers only the processing cost[1]. Authorised visa application centres may charge a separate service fee for collecting your application on behalf of the embassy[3]. Confirm the total cost before your appointment.
Intermediaries offer no advantage. The European External Action Service explicitly warns that paying extra fees to intermediaries or travel agencies does not increase your chances of getting a visa. These parties do not have better access to embassies or consulates[3]. Use only the official channels published by the destination country's embassy.
Fees may change. Schengen visa fees are reviewed every three years under the Visa Code. Adjustments are based on objective criteria including Euro area annual inflation and the average salary of EU civil servants[1]. The current EUR 90 fee applies to all applications lodged on or after 11 June 2024[4].
Children under six are exempt from the visa fee but may still pay a service fee at the application centre[2]. Nationals under visa facilitation agreements pay reduced rates: EUR 67.50 for Cabo Verde nationals and EUR 35 under other agreements[1].
What You're Actually Paying For: Official Schengen Visa Fees
The EUR 90 fee covers the administrative cost of processing your application, not a guarantee of approval. This fee is set by the European Commission and applies uniformly across all Schengen member states. The amount was increased from EUR 80 to EUR 90 on 11 June 2024 through Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1415 of 14 March 2024[1]. The change followed a scheduled review under the Visa Code.
The fee structure distinguishes between three applicant categories. Adults aged 12 and older pay the full EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 11 pay a reduced fee of EUR 45. Children under 6 are exempt from the visa fee entirely[2]. These amounts are maximums, not minimums. Individual Schengen countries may apply lower fees under specific bilateral agreements.
A separate service fee may be charged by the Official External Service Provider. This provider collects applications on behalf of an embassy or consulate[3]. The service fee is not part of the visa fee. It covers appointment scheduling, document handling, and biometric collection. The amount varies by provider and location. Confirm the exact service fee before booking your appointment.
The European Commission reviews Schengen visa fees every three years. Adjustments are based on objective criteria including Euro area annual inflation and the average salary of EU civil servants[1]. This means the EUR 90 fee is not permanent. The next scheduled review could result in a higher or lower amount.
Reduced rates apply under visa facilitation agreements. Nationals of Cabo Verde pay EUR 67.50 under their corresponding agreement[1]. Other facilitation agreements maintain a fee of EUR 35. These reduced rates apply only to nationals of countries with specific bilateral arrangements with the EU. US citizens and most other nationalities pay the standard EUR 90 fee.
The fee is non-refundable. If your application is refused, you do not receive a refund of the EUR 90 visa fee. This applies regardless of the reason for refusal. The fee covers the cost of processing your application, not the outcome.
When you pay at an authorised centre, request a receipt. The receipt should show the visa fee and any service fee as separate line items. This documentation helps you verify that you paid only the official amounts. If a third party asks for additional payment beyond these fees, treat that request as a warning sign. The European External Action Service states that intermediaries do not have better access to embassies or consulates[3].
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