The European Commission has proposed increasing the basic fee for a Schengen visa for 2024. If the proposal is approved, the adult fee will rise from 80 euros to 90 euros, while for children, it will increase from 40 euros to 45 euros, representing a 12 percent increase in both cases.
Additionally, the EU plans to raise the Schengen visa fees even further for countries that fail to cooperate sufficiently in accepting the re-entry of individuals deported from member states. A Schengen visa is required for non-EU citizens who are not eligible for the EU's 90-day visa exemption rule and need to travel to the Schengen area. The proposed increase will come into effect in the next few months if passed into law.
The initiative is open for feedback until March 1. During this period, EU citizens can share their opinions on the proposal and state whether they support it. If the proposal is approved, the EU will implement the changes, which will take effect 20 days after they are published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Schengen visa fees are reviewed every three years. The Commission has clarified that the proposed increase in visa fees is due to the rising inflation rate in the EU.
For countries that refuse to cooperate in the repatriation of their citizens, the cost of processing their visa applications will increase from 120 euros to 135 euros. Furthermore, the European Commission has proposed that external providers of services for Schengen visa processing can increase their fees by the new revision.
The European Union has announced its plan to introduce a new digital Schengen visa in 2022. This will allow travelers to apply for a visa online, irrespective of the country they plan to visit. The new digital system will fully replace the current label system in passports. The European Commission aims to launch the digital platform by 2028.