Planning a European getaway?

Before you start packing your bags, it’s smart to get a clear idea of how much your Schengen visa will actually cost. In 2025, the visa fees have been updated, and the cost includes more than just the consular fee.

You’ll also need to factor in service charges from the visa application centre and optional extras like courier return, SMS updates, or even premium lounge access for a smoother experience.

So, without wasting any further time, let’s get started with the Schengen visa fee guide. 

How much does a Schengen visa cost? 

Here is a fee structure for the types of Schengen visa:

Single Entry Schengen Type C Visa Fees:

• €90 for adults

• €45 for children 6-11

• Free for children under 6. 

• €67,50 for nationals of Cabo Verde, under the corresponding visa facilitation agreement.

• €35 for applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus

This is set by EU law and is uniform across all Schengen countries. A separate service fee may apply if you apply via a visa application centre.

Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa Fees (Type C)

No extra consular charge for double or multiple entry; the fee is the same as Type C above. (Entry count is a visa decision, not a pricing change.)

Schengen Transit Visa Fees (Type A )

Here's the Schengen transit visa fee structure:

• €90 for adults

• €45 for children 6-11

• Free for children under 6. 

Same consular fee schedule as Type C. Some nationalities need this visa for airside connections.

Schengen Long Stay/ National Visa (Type D)

Type D (long-stay) visa costs are set by each country and often come in two parts:

1. A national visa fee you pay at the consulate to enter and stay long-term, and

2. A residence permit fee, typically paid upon arrival, is required to obtain your physical card. You may also see a service centre fee if the country outsources its visa application processing to a third party. 

Popular Countries Schengen Type D Visa Fee

• Germany: National visa €75 (long-standing baseline).

• Poland: National visa €135 (since June 1, 2024).

• France, others: Fee varies by purpose and nationality; check the country’s official visa portal.

The universal structure

National (Type D) visa fee-  paid at the consulate

• Amounts vary by country and sometimes by purpose (study, work, family).

• This fee covers the processing of the entry visa, which allows you to travel to the country for a stay of over 90 days.

Residence-permit fee-  paid in-country after arrival

• Once you land, you must register/apply for a residence permit. The fee depends on the permit type (e.g., family, student, work, researcher, Blue Card) and the country’s tariff schedule.

Service-centre fee (where outsourcing is used)

• If your consulate uses visa application centres, you’ll pay a separate service fee (set nationally, often a fixed local-currency amount). Optional conveniences (courier, SMS, prime time) cost extra.

Local-currency conversion & rounding

• Even when fees are pegged in euros, you usually pay in local currency at a posted consular rate, so your receipt may differ slightly from the euro figure.

Refunds

• As with Schengen short-stay visa fees, they are generally non-refundable if the application is refused/withdrawn. Residence permit fees are also typically non-refundable once processed.

Do I have to pay any additional fees for a Schengen visa application?

Yes, beyond the official Schengen Type C visa fee, applicants will have to pay an additional appointment fee, which is approximately € 22, at the visa application centres. Here’s exactly what those are, how they’re calculated, and when they apply.

The mandatory one: Service fee

• What it is: When a consulate outsources intake to an external service provider, you pay a service fee in addition to the consular fee.

Optional add-ons (you can decline these)

External providers sell convenience extras. Common ones include:

• Courier return of passport, SMS updates, prime-time appointments, and premium lounge access. These are optional and priced separately from the capped core service fee.

Currency & rounding

You pay in local currency at a consulate/provider rate (often a published “consular rate”), so the amount on your receipt can differ slightly from the euro fee and may be rounded. 

Example: The Italian Embassy in Washington posts dollar amounts based on a quarterly consular rate.

Who doesn’t pay the Schengen fee?

The Visa Code lists fee-exempt travellers in specific circumstances, commonly including:

• Children under 6

• School pupils, students, post-graduate students and their accompanying teachers travelling for study/education

• Researchers are travelling to conduct scientific research

• Participants who are 25 years old or less in non-profit events (e.g., seminars, conferences, sports, cultural/educational events), and Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens exercising free-movement rights (entry visas free of charge under EU law)

Always check the consulate’s website for the exact local list and required documentation.

Is the visa fee the same for all Schengen countries?

Yes, for the short-stay Schengen (Type C) and (Type A) visa, the base consular fee is the same everywhere because it’s set by EU law, not by individual countries: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6-11, and free for children under 6 (effective as of June 11, 2024).

But there are a few nuances:

• Service fees may vary: If you apply through an external provider, you’ll also incur a service fee. EU rules cap this at no more than half of the visa fee (so up to €45 when the fee is €90), but the exact amount and optional add-ons (courier, SMS, premium lounge) vary by location/provider.

• Reduced fee: Some nationalities have reduced consular fees under EU visa facilitation agreements (most commonly €35 and €67.50 for Cabo Verde), regardless of where they apply.

• Local currency: You pay in local currency, so the amount on your receipt can differ slightly from the euro figure due to conversion/rounding, even though the euro fee level is uniform.

• Type D visa: Long-stay (Type D) visas are different. Those are national visas with country-specific fees and rules; the “same everywhere” point only applies to short-stay (Type C) visas.

Budget for the consular fee, add the visa centre service fee, and select only the optional add-ons you actually need. Please note a slight variance at checkout due to local-currency conversion/rounding. If your stay exceeds 90 days, check Type D (national) visa prices separately. Confirm the latest figures on your consulate, align your documents to the same dates, and you’re ready to book with confidence. Choose Atlys to book your Schengen visa appointment - fast slots, clear documents, zero guesswork.