When applying for a Schengen Visa, there is a visa fee that must be paid at the time of application. The payment of the Schengen visa fee is necessary for your visa application to be processed successfully. If the fee is not paid, your application will be deemed unsuccessful and will not proceed further.
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?
Schengen visa fees are as follows:
| Category | Amount in EUR | Amount in USD | Amount in Indian Rupee |
| Adults | 90.00€ | $96.89 | 8,095.86 Indian Rupee |
| Children (6-12 years old) | 45.00€ | $48.44 | 4,047.93 Indian Rupee |
| Children (younger than 6 years old) | Free | Free | Free |
| Holders of diplomatic passports traveling for official purposes | Free | Free | Free |
| Family members of an EU/EEA national | Free | Free | Free |
| Students and with teachers during a school trip | Free | Free | Free |
| Researchers and scientists traveling for professional reasons | Free | Free | Free |
| Representative of nonprofit organizations (25 years or less) | Free | Free | Free |
| Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan | 35€ | $37.68 | 3,148.39 Indian Rupee |
Nationals of Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Albania, Ukraine, and Georgia who still need to apply for a visa (who do not own a biometric passport), visa facilitation agreements stipulate a fee of EUR 35.
Schengen Visa Fee Waivers
The visa fee is waived for applicants who belong to the following categories:
- Children under six (6) years of age.
- School children, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers who have to enter the Schengen Area for the purpose of study or educational training.
- Researchers from third countries traveling for the purpose of conducting scientific research.
- Representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or less who will be participating in seminars, conferences, sports, and cultural or educational events are organized by non-profit organizations.
- For the purpose of ‘replacing’ an old, valid visa in a ‘full’ travel document (one that is out of empty pages) with a new visa valid for the same period in the applicant’s new travel document.
The amount of the visa fee may, on occasion, be waived or lowered when doing so serves to advance cultural or sporting activities as well as interests in other areas of critical public interest or for humanitarian purposes, such as the fields of foreign policy, development policy, and others.
Additional Fees and Costs
Other than the Schengen visa fee, you may also encounter the following costs associated with a Schengen visa application:
- Visa processing fees charged by third-party service providers. Many of the Member States use third-party service providers to collect visa applications and supporting documents.These providers (visa application centers such as VFS Global, TLS, etc) may charge processing fees up to 50% of the Schengen visa cost.
- Travel Insurance. When you apply for a Schengen visa fee, you must have Schengen travel medical insurance, valid throughout the territory of the Member States. Schengen travel insurance is relatively cheap. Prices for a basic one-week insurance policy range from €18 – €30. However, it depends on how long you are going to stay, e.g., your trip duration, as well as your age and coverage options.
- Translation services. Documents submitted when applying for a Schengen Visa must be translated into English or the official language (s) of the Schengen Member State you are traveling to. The translation must be certified by a translation agency, therefore, you may be subject to an extra fee. Translation costs vary from country to country.
- Courier or mailing fees. When you apply for a Schengen visa, you usually leave your visa with the embassy. So, when a decision is made, the embassy/consulate or the visa application center has to mail you the passport back. You have to pay the courier costs, which again will depend from one country to another.
Payment Methods and Currencies
It’s common for the visa fee to be paid in the currency of the country where the embassy or consulate is located. The amount of the visa fee charged in that currency must be exchanged to EUR using the reference rate set by the European Central Bank (ECB). The visa fee in the local currency should be calculated based on the exchange rate at the time of payment.
The accepted payment methods and currencies for a Schengen Visa fee can vary depending on the country and specific embassy or consulate where you are applying. Generally, the following payment methods are commonly accepted:
- Cash. Some embassies or consulates may allow payment of the visa fee in cash. However, it’s important to verify if cash payments are accepted and if there are any specific requirements or restrictions.
- Bank Transfer. Many embassies or consulates provide bank account details where you can transfer the visa fee electronically. This method typically requires you to initiate the payment from your bank account using the provided information.
- Credit/Debit Card. Certain embassies or consulates accept payment through credit or debit cards. This option allows you to make the payment securely using your card details.
Can I Pay My Schengen Visa Fee Online?
Yes, in many cases, you can pay your Schengen Visa fee online. Many Schengen countries offer online payment options through their visa application portals or dedicated payment platforms, which allow you to pay the visa fee using payment options such as credit or debit cards.
However, it’s important to check the specific requirements and procedures of the country’s embassy or consulate where you are applying for the Schengen Visa. They will provide instructions on how to make the payment and whether online payment is available in your particular case. It’s recommended to follow the official guidelines and instructions provided by the relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and successful payment process.
Do Children and Infants Also Need to Pay Visa Fees?
Children under six years of age are not subject to any fees when applying for a Schengen Visa. However, children aged six to twelve years old must pay a fee of 40.00€ ($44.26 as of May 2023).
Are Visa Fees Refundable if My Application Is Rejected?
No, Schengen visa fees are not refundable. Whether you are issued a visa or not, your visa cannot be refunded. Your visa won’t be refunded even if you decide to withdraw your application.