Schengen Visa Costs

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The official application fee is only part of the picture. Here's what a Schengen visa actually costs once you count service fees, insurance, and the paperwork around it — plus who qualifies for a reduced or waived fee.

€90

Adults (12+)

€45

Children (6–11)

Free

Children Under 6

€150–200+

Typical Realistic Total

Fee waivers and reductions

The standard €90 fee applies uniformly across all 29 Schengen states, regardless of entry type — but several groups pay less, or nothing at all.

Full waiver — €0

Children under 6, close family members of EU citizens, certain researchers and students on official exchange programs, representatives of nonprofit organizations attending qualifying events, and diplomats.

Reduced fee — €35

Nationals of countries with a facilitation agreement with the EU, including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

A fee waiver isn't the same as a visa waiver — even applicants who pay nothing still need to submit a full application.

The fee vs. the real cost

Budgeting for just the application fee is the single most common mistake applicants make.

Just the visa fee

€90 standard application fee

Covers processing and the embassy's decision only

Non-refundable, whatever the outcome

The realistic total

€90 application fee + visa center service charge

Compliant travel insurance, typically around €30–50

Certified translations or notarizations, if your documents need them

Additional costs to plan for

None of these are optional extras — they're standard parts of putting together a compliant application.

Visa application center service fee

Most applicants go through a third-party processor rather than the consulate directly, and that center charges its own service fee on top of the official €90.

Travel insurance

A Schengen-compliant certificate covering at least €30,000 is mandatory, and its price varies by provider, age, and trip length.

Certified translations

Supporting documents not in an accepted language may need a certified translation, typically priced per page.

Non-refundable fees

Every fee in the process — the application, the service charge, the insurance — is paid up front and isn't returned if the visa is refused.

Ways to avoid overpaying

Apply directly through the official consulate or its designated visa center, not a paid third-party agency charging extra for the same service

Check whether your nationality qualifies for the €35 reduced fee or a full waiver before you pay the standard rate

Compare travel insurance prices across providers rather than buying the first plan you find — coverage requirements are standardized, so price is often the real differentiator

Get your documents right the first time — fees are non-refundable, so a rejected application means paying again for a second attempt

Frequently asked questions

Is the Schengen visa fee the same for every country?

Yes. The €90 standard fee for adults is set by EU regulation and applies identically across all 29 Schengen states, regardless of which one processes your application.

Do I get my money back if my visa is refused?

No. The application fee covers the cost of processing and evaluating your application, and it's kept regardless of the outcome — this is standard practice across all Schengen consulates.

Does a multiple-entry visa cost more than single-entry?

No. The €90 fee is the same whichever entry type you're granted — the consulate decides single, double, or multiple-entry based on your travel plans, not on how much you pay.

How much should I budget for travel insurance?

Prices vary by provider, trip length, and age, but a compliant single-trip certificate commonly runs somewhere in the €30–50 range for a typical short stay — comparing multiple providers is the easiest way to avoid overpaying.

Are visa center service fees mandatory?

If your destination country requires applications to go through a designated visa center rather than the consulate directly, yes — the service fee is a standard cost of using that center, on top of the official application fee.

Don't overpay for the mandatory insurance

Since every Schengen applicant needs the same €30,000 minimum coverage, price is often the only real difference between plans. Compare providers side by side on our Schengen Travel Insurance page before you buy.

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