The headline “€90 Schengen visa fee” is real, but it’s rarely the number you actually pay. Between the visa center’s service charge, optional courier and SMS-tracking add-ons, and a set of lesser-known fee waivers that a surprising number of applicants qualify for and never claim, the gap between the government fee and your total out-of-pocket cost can be large in either direction. This guide breaks the whole cost down.
The government visa fee: €90
The Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa fee is set centrally under the EU Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009) and applies uniformly across all 29 Schengen states, whichever country’s consulate or visa center you apply through:
- Adults: €90
- Children aged 6–11: €45
- Children under 6: free
This is a rise from the previous €80 fee, effective from June 2024, and unlike some national visa fees it does not vary by nationality or by which Schengen country you’re applying to.
The fee most applicants forget: the VAC service charge
Most applicants don’t apply directly to a consulate — they apply through an outsourced visa application centre (VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International and similar operators), which charges a separate service fee on top of the €90 government fee. This typically adds an additional €30–€50 per application, meaning a realistic all-in cost for a standard adult application is closer to €120–€150, before any optional extras.
Optional add-ons that visa centers commonly offer — none of which are required — include:
- Courier return of your passport: so you don’t need to collect it in person
- SMS or email tracking: notifications on your application status
- Prime Time / priority appointment slots: faster booking access, not a faster decision
None of these affect your approval odds — they’re convenience services, and skipping all of them is a legitimate way to keep costs down.
Who qualifies for a fee waiver
Article 16 of the EU Visa Code sets out several categories that are exempt from the €90 fee entirely — a provision many first-time applicants don’t know exists:
- Children under 6 (automatic)
- School pupils, students and postgraduate students travelling for study or educational training, and teachers accompanying them on the same program
- Researchers travelling to carry out scientific research or to participate in a seminar or conference, as defined under EU researcher-mobility rules
- Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under attending seminars, conferences, or sporting, cultural or educational events organised by a non-profit
These waivers apply uniformly across all Schengen states, but you generally need to actively claim them with supporting documentation (an admission letter, invitation letter, or programme confirmation) — the visa center won’t apply them automatically just because you mention your occupation.
Bilateral visa facilitation agreements
Separately from the Article 16 waivers, the EU has visa facilitation agreements with a number of non-EU countries — including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova, among others — that provide reduced fees or additional fee-waiver categories for their nationals. If you hold citizenship of a country with such an agreement, check with the relevant consulate whether it changes your fee, since the standard €90/€45 rate is a default, not necessarily what you’ll pay.
Multiple-entry and long-validity visas
The €90 fee covers your application regardless of whether you’re granted a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa valid for one, three or five years — the fee doesn’t scale with validity length the way UK or Australian visa fees do. However, you only get a longer multiple-entry visa if the consulate is satisfied you have a genuine, ongoing need to travel (frequent business travel, family ties, a documented travel history), not simply by requesting one.
What refusal means for your fee
The €90 fee (and any VAC service charge) is non-refundable if your visa is refused — this is standard across all Schengen states and one reason it’s worth getting your documentation right before you apply rather than treating a first attempt as a trial run. See our Schengen refusal and appeal guide if you’ve already been refused.
Worked example: family of four, standard tourist visa
- 2 adults: €90 × 2 = €180
- 1 child aged 8: €45
- 1 child aged 4: free (under 6)
- VAC service fees (4 applications × ~€35 average): ~€140
- Total: ~€365, before travel insurance or any courier add-ons
FAQ
Does the fee differ by which country I apply to? The €90 government fee is the same everywhere, but the VAC service charge varies slightly by operator and by your country of application — check the specific visa center’s published fee before you book.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw my application? No — once submitted and processed, both the government fee and any service charge are generally non-refundable, whether you withdraw, are refused, or simply change your travel plans.
Do I need travel insurance on top of the visa fee? Yes — Schengen visa applicants must show travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, and this is a separate purchase, not included in the visa fee.
This is preparation guidance, not legal advice — fee waiver eligibility and exact VAC charges are assessed case by case, so confirm your specific situation with the consulate or visa center you’re applying through before you budget or submit.
Preparing a Schengen application and want to check your documents are in order before you pay? Join the VisaMet waitlist for AI-assisted document screening.