Schengen Visa Fee 2026: Official Costs, Exemptions and What Has Changed

This guide was created with insights from visa consultants and travel advisors who regularly assist UK-based travellers navigating European entry requirements.

Last updated: May 2026

Many travellers assume the Schengen visa fee is a fixed, simple figure. In practice, the amount you pay depends on your age, nationality, the type of application, and — increasingly — whether a full visa or a new electronic travel authorisation applies to your situation.

This guide sets out the confirmed Schengen visa fee for 2026, who qualifies for reduced or zero fees, how the payment process works, and what the introduction of ETIAS means for travellers who currently travel visa-free. Whether you are applying for the first time or reviewing costs ahead of a planned trip, the figures and rules below reflect current official requirements.

What Is the Schengen Visa Fee in 2026?

The standard Schengen visa fee for adult applicants in 2026 is €90. This represents an increase from the previous rate of €80, following a revision to the EU Visa Code that aligned fees with updated operational cost assessments.

The fee applies to short-stay Schengen visas — category C visas — which cover tourism, family visits, business travel, and transit stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Fee categories are as follows:

• Adults (12 and over): €90
• Children aged 6–11: €45
• Children under 6: Exempt — no fee applies
• Holders of diplomatic or service passports: Reduced or zero fee in some cases, subject to bilateral agreements

The fee is collected at the point of application — at the consulate directly or through an authorised application centre such as VFS Global — and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Who Is Exempt from the Schengen Visa Fee?

Fee exemptions exist for specific categories of applicant. These are set at EU level and apply uniformly across Schengen member states, though individual countries retain limited discretion in certain cases.

Standard exemptions include:

• Children under 6 years of age
• School pupils, students, and accompanying teachers on educational trips
• Researchers travelling for scientific research purposes
• Representatives of non-profit organisations under 25, attending seminars or conferences
• Close family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights (in specific circumstances)
• Holders of certain diplomatic or official passports, where bilateral agreements apply

If you are applying on behalf of a child aged 6–11, the reduced fee of €45 applies. Confirm the exact exemption criteria with the relevant consulate before your appointment, as documentation supporting the exemption will be required.

If you are planning travel with younger children, the guide on family group travel and entry requirements covers similar age-based distinctions in another context — the documentation principles are comparable.

How the Schengen Visa Application Process Works

Applying for a Schengen visa requires in-person attendance. The process cannot be completed entirely online for most nationalities — biometric data must be submitted at an authorised centre.

Step 1 — Determine Where to Apply

Apply at the consulate of the Schengen country where you will spend the most days. If your itinerary involves equal time in multiple countries, apply at the consulate of your first point of entry into the Schengen Area. (Schengenvisainfo.com provides a full breakdown of consulate jurisdiction rules.)

Step 2 — Book a Schengen Visa Appointment

Appointments are booked through the relevant consulate’s system or via VFS Global. Availability is often limited during peak travel seasons. As a working rule, aim to book at least four weeks before your intended travel date — earlier if travelling between June and September.

Guidance on securing appointments without unnecessary delays is covered in detail in the Schengen visa appointment booking guide.

Step 3 — Gather Required Documents

Core documentation requirements include:

• Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond planned departure from the Schengen Area)
• Completed Schengen visa application form
• Two recent passport-sized photographs meeting Schengen photo specifications
• Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical coverage valid across the Schengen Area
• Proof of accommodation for the entire stay
• Return or onward flight itinerary
• Evidence of sufficient financial means
• Supporting documents relevant to your travel purpose (invitation letter, employment confirmation, etc.)

For a full breakdown of photograph specifications, the Schengen visa photo requirements guide covers size, background, and format in precise detail.

Step 4 — Attend and Pay

At the appointment, present all documents, provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph), and pay the visa fee. Accepted payment methods vary by centre — confirm in advance whether cash, card, or bank draft is required.

Step 5 — Await a Decision

Standard processing time is 15 calendar days from the date of application. Complex cases may take up to 45 calendar days. Applications should therefore be submitted well in advance; last-minute applications carry significant risk. (European Commission Visa Policy confirms these processing windows.)

Step 6 — Collect Your Passport

Once a decision is reached, collect your passport from the application centre. Approval does not guarantee entry — border officers retain the right to assess travellers upon arrival.

What ETIAS Means for Visa-Fee Calculations in 2026

A significant change is approaching for travellers who currently enter the Schengen Area without a full visa. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System — ETIAS — is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026.

ETIAS is not a Schengen visa. The distinction matters.

• Schengen visa: Required for nationals of countries that do not have visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Fee: €90 for adults.
• ETIAS: A pre-travel electronic travel authorisation for nationals who are currently visa-exempt. Fee: €20 per application, valid for three years or until passport expiry — whichever comes first. (European Commission, July 2025)

The ETIAS fee was confirmed at €20 following a revision from an earlier proposed rate of €7. The Commission cited the need to cover operational costs and align the EU system with comparable programmes in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Travellers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the €20 ETIAS fee. (EU External Action Service)

If you currently require a full Schengen visa, ETIAS does not replace your application — the two systems operate in parallel for different categories of traveller.

Common Mistakes That Affect Schengen Visa Fee Payments

Based on real cases, applicants frequently encounter the following problems at the fee payment stage:

• Assuming the fee is refundable. It is not. A refused application does not entitle the applicant to a refund.
• Paying at the wrong centre. Fees paid to unofficial or third-party websites are not credited to any consulate. Apply only through official consulate systems or authorised VFS Global centres.
• Applying to the wrong consulate. If you apply at the wrong Schengen country’s consulate, your application may be rejected on jurisdictional grounds — and the fee is still lost.
• Bringing incorrect payment method. Some VFS centres do not accept cash; others do not accept certain card types. Confirm accepted methods before attending.
• Failing to account for additional service fees. VFS Global charges a separate service fee on top of the consulate fee. This is a legitimate charge, but applicants sometimes budget only for the €90 consulate fee.

The Schengen visa rejection reasons guide covers the broader category of avoidable errors in detail.

After Your Schengen Visa Is Approved: Travel Preparation

Approval of your Schengen visa is the authorisation to travel — not a guarantee of entry. Border officers at Schengen Area entry points retain the right to question travellers and, in exceptional cases, refuse entry even with a valid visa.

Practical steps after approval:

• Check the visa label carefully. Confirm the validity period, number of permitted entries (single or multiple), and the territory it covers.
• Carry supporting documents at the border. Accommodation confirmation, return tickets, and travel insurance documentation may be requested.
• Do not overstay. The 90/180-day rule is strictly enforced. Use the Schengen 90/180-day calculator to track your permitted days accurately.
• Ensure travel insurance is active from departure. Coverage must begin on the first day of travel, not the first day in the Schengen Area.

Travel insurance that meets the mandatory €30,000 minimum Schengen medical coverage requirement is a condition of the visa — not an optional extra. If you’re finalising travel insurance for this trip, covers the categories most relevant to Schengen visa applications, including medical evacuation and trip disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Schengen visa fee in 2026?

The standard adult Schengen visa fee in 2026 is €90. Children aged 6–11 pay €45, and children under 6 are exempt.

Q: Has the Schengen visa fee increased recently?

Yes. The adult fee rose from €80 to €90 following a revision to the EU Visa Code. This increase reflects updated operational cost assessments across Schengen member states.

Q: Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if my application is refused?

No. The Schengen visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.

Q: Do UK citizens need a Schengen visa, or will ETIAS apply instead?

UK citizens currently require a Schengen visa for stays that fall outside any visa-free entitlement. ETIAS — a separate electronic travel authorisation — is expected to launch in late 2026 and will apply to visa-exempt nationalities, not to those who require a full Schengen visa.

Q: What is the ETIAS fee, and who pays it?

ETIAS will cost €20 per application, confirmed by the European Commission. It applies to visa-exempt non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area — not to applicants who require a full Schengen visa.

Q: Can I pay the Schengen visa fee online?

Payment method depends on the consulate or application centre. Many VFS Global centres accept card payments; some consulates require bank draft or cash. Confirm accepted methods with the specific application centre before your appointment.

Conclusion

The Schengen visa fee in 2026 stands at €90 for adult applicants — a confirmed figure set at EU level and applied consistently across member states. Reduced fees apply for children aged 6–11, and several exemption categories exist for specific groups including researchers, students on organised travel, and children under six.

The fee is non-refundable. Paying it initiates an application process — it does not guarantee approval. Applicants who prepare complete documentation, apply at the correct consulate, and book appointments well in advance consistently achieve better outcomes than those who treat the process as routine.

For those currently travelling visa-free to the Schengen Area, ETIAS introduces a separate €20 electronic travel authorisation requirement from late 2026 — a different system, for a different category of traveller. Understanding which system applies to your situation is the essential first step.

For a complete overview of the Schengen application process from document preparation through to approval, the Schengen visa application process guide provides step-by-step guidance.

Written by contributors experienced in European visa compliance and Schengen entry requirements, with a focus on accurate, up-to-date fee information for UK-based travellers.

Source: European Commission — Schengen Visa Policy and Fee Structure