How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost?

The Schengen agreement is actually named after a small village in Luxembourg, where the agreement was first signed in 1985, according to information provided by the European Commission. Although it initially including just seven nations, the Schengen area now includes almost all the EU states, except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom.

To travel to a country bound by the Schengen agreement, you need to apply for a Schengen visa. A Schengen visa allows you to travel freely within 26 countries for the purposes of tourism, business, education, or medical treatment, for a duration of up to 90 days. 

Schengen Visa Fees

After filling and submitting visa application form, along with all the necessary documents, you will need to pay a visa processing fee. The visa fee is non-refundable and varies, depending on your age, nationality, and nature of visit. The visa fee can be paid via cash or credit/debit card at the designated embassies. However, some embassies do not accept card payments, so remember to check before attempting payment. 

Here’s a look at the different Schengen visa fees:

In What Cases are Schengen Visa Fee Waived?

The visa fee is exempted in the following cases:

• For children below the age of six years. 
• Those holding diplomatic passports and traveling for official purposes.
• Children and spouse of EU/EEA nationals. 
• Students and teachers traveling for educational purposes or a school trip. 
• Researchers traveling for the purposes of conducting scientific study or exploration.
• Representatives of non-profit organizations (up to 25 years of age) traveling for the purpose of attending a seminar or participating in a sports, cultural, or educational event. 

What to Do After Paying Schengen Visa Fee?

After you have paid the appropriate visa fee, the next step is to schedule your visa interview at the embassy of your destination country. The appointment can be taken online as well as in person at the embassy. Make sure you arrive on time for the appointment. 

What if Schengen Visa is Denied?

In case of a rejection of the visa application, it is important to go through the reasons provided for the denial of your visa before reapplying. There can be various reasons for rejection, such as incomplete documents, insufficient funds and past or present criminal record. If you feel your visa has been wrongfully rejected, you can appeal at the embassy that you had applied to for the visa.

Can I Extend My Tourist Schengen Visa?

The chances of getting an extension on a tourist Schengen visa are pretty low. An extension is granted in case of very specific reasons, such as:

• Late Entry
• Humanitarian Reasons
• Force Majeure
• Important Personal Reasons

If you have any further queries, it is advisable to visit the embassy of your destination country.