European Commission to increase Schengen visa fees by 12% from June 11

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BELGRADE, May 25: The European Commission has announced an impending increase in short-stay Schengen visa fees, set to come into effect starting June 11. This adjustment applies specifically to visa type C and will see a notable 12% surge in costs for applicants worldwide.

According to Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adult applicants will witness a rise in fees from €80 to €90, while children aged 6 to below 12 years will experience an increase from €40 to €45 under the revised fee structure.

The decision to raise visa fees is reportedly motivated by the need to accommodate the escalating expenses associated with visa processing and ensure the security of the Schengen area, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The last revision of visa fees occurred in February 2020 when the adult visa fee was raised from €60 to €80. The European Commission has defended the latest surge by citing inflationary pressures and the necessity to cover administrative costs linked to the visa process, including background checks, data processing, and maintaining secure entry systems.

Concerns have been raised regarding the fee hike, especially in light of recent trends in visa rejections. Instances of visa denials have been particularly noticeable in Maghreb countries for travelers planning visits to France and Spain.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of visa rejections, leading to apprehension among prospective visitors. In 2022 alone, 30% of Schengen visa applications from Moroccans faced rejection, with France and Spain accounting for the majority of the visa refusals.

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