Visa fees by destination
Schengen visa fees for adults and children
A Schengen short-stay visa costs €90 for an applicant aged 12 or older and €45 for a child aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 pay no visa fee Source 1. These amounts took effect on 11 June 2024 and were still current on 19 October 2026 Source 1,Source 2. A service-centre fee may be added even when a child receives a visa-fee reduction or waiver Source 1. Several study, research and non-profit groups can qualify for exemptions Source 1.
Fee table by age
Article 16 of the Visa Code sets the common short-stay visa fee. A child is placed in the age band that applies on the application date. The official EU application page listed the same €90 and €45 amounts on 19 October 2026 Source 1,Source 3.
Mandatory exemptions
The Visa Code waives the fee for children under 6. It provides fee waivers for school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers travelling for study or educational training Source 1.
Researchers travelling for scientific work, a seminar or a conference can qualify. Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or younger can qualify when taking part in a seminar, conference, sports, cultural or educational event run by a non-profit organisation Source 1.
Optional waivers
A Schengen state may waive the fee for children aged 6 to 17. It may grant an individual waiver or reduction to promote cultural or sporting interests, foreign policy, development policy or another area of public interest, or for humanitarian reasons Source 1.
Applicants covered by a visa-facilitation agreement can have a different fee. The Commission listed €35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus and €67.50 for Cabo Verde on its application page checked 19 October 2026 Source 3.
Application-centre fees
An official external centre may charge a service fee. The normal ceiling is half the adult visa fee, which was €45 on 19 October 2026. The service fee can apply even when the visa fee itself is reduced or waived Source 1.
In a country where the responsible Schengen state has no collecting consulate and no representation by another state, the service fee may normally reach €80. Optional extras should be separated from the statutory visa and service fees Source 1,Source 4.
Refund rule
A refusal does not bring a visa-fee refund. The Commission handbook says the fee is returned if the consulate finds it is not competent to take the case or the application is inadmissible Source 4.
Common questions
Does a 12-year-old pay the adult fee?
Yes. The reduced band ends below age 12, so an applicant aged 12 pays €90 Source 1.
Are babies charged a Schengen visa fee?
No. Children under age 6 are exempt from the visa fee Source 1.
Can a child still pay a centre fee?
Yes. Article 17 permits a service fee regardless of a visa-fee reduction or exemption Source 1.
Do students pay the visa fee?
School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers travelling for study or training qualify for the statutory waiver Source 1.
Is the child fee refunded after refusal?
No. Refusal does not produce a refund Source 4.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Articles 16 and 17, consolidated text (11 June 2024)
- European Commission: Schengen Visa Fee increased as of 11 June 2024 (13 June 2024)
- European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa (accessed 19 October 2026)
- European Commission: Handbook for the processing of visa applications (28 June 2024)