The European Commission has announced an increase in short-stay Schengen visa fees to take effect from June 11, impacting travellers planning to visit Europe. The fee for adult applicants will rise to Euro 90 (Dh359) from the current Euro 80 (Dh319), while for children aged 6 to below 12 years, the fee will increase to Euro 45 (Dh180) from Euro 40 (Dh160). The new fee structure applies to visa applications worldwide and aims to align with the rising costs of visa processing and maintaining Schengen area security.
The Schengen visa permits travel across 27 European countries, including popular destinations such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The European Commission justified the fee increase by citing inflation and the need to cover administrative costs associated with the visa process, including background checks, data processing, and maintaining secure entry systems. This adjustment follows the previous fee update in February 2020, indicating a broader effort to ensure adequate coverage of visa processing and security costs.
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus will pay Euro 35 (Dh140), while applicants from Cabo Verde will pay Euro 60 (Dh240).
