Schengen Visa Cost and Fees

Schengen visa cost, explained fast

A short-stay Schengen visa costs 90 euros for adults, 45 euros for children aged 6 to 11, and it’s free for children under 6. A visa application centre may add a capped service fee. Confirm current fees on the official EU site before you pay.

The standard visa fee

The standard fee for a short-stay Schengen visa is 90 euros for adults. This fee rose on 11 June 2024, so older guides may still show the previous amount.

You pay this fee to the consulate or to the visa application centre acting for the consulate. It’s a government fee, not a charge from any preparation service.

Fees can change, and they can also vary a little when you pay in a local currency. Always check the current amount on the official EU source before you apply: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu.

Fees for children

Children get lower fees or no fee at all:

• Children under 6: free.
• Children aged 6 to 11: 45 euros.
• Children 12 and over: the standard adult fee of 90 euros.

If you’re applying as a family, add these amounts together so you know the total before your appointment. Confirm the current child fees on the official EU site, since rules can change.

Visa application centre service fees

Many countries take applications through a visa application centre such as VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS. These centres handle appointments, collect your documents, and take your biometrics.

When you apply this way, the centre may add its own service fee on top of the 90 euro visa fee. EU rules cap this extra service fee, so it can’t be more than a set limit.

This centre fee is separate from the visa fee. It also has nothing to do with any document-preparation service you choose. Ask the centre for its current service fee before your appointment so there are no surprises.

Reduced and exempt fees

Some people pay a reduced fee, and some pay nothing. This depends on your nationality and your reason for travel.

• Some nationalities pay a reduced fee under visa facilitation agreements between the EU and their country.
• Certain applicants, such as some children, students, and researchers, may be exempt in specific cases.

These rules are detailed and they change over time. Check whether a reduced or exempt fee applies to you on the official EU source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu.

One more point to plan for: the visa fee is generally not refunded if your visa is refused. That’s why getting your application right the first time matters so much.

Code X Elite fees vs consulate fees

It helps to separate the two costs, because they’re paid to different places for different reasons.

• The visa fee (90 euros for adults) is paid by you to the consulate or visa application centre. This is the government charge.
• The Code X Elite service fee is a separate flat fee for preparing your documents. You pay this to us, not to the consulate.

Code X Elite is a document-preparation service. We’re not lawyers and we don’t give legal advice. You submit your own application in your own name.

Our flat fee means you know the price up front. There’s no hourly billing and no surprise add-ons from us. We help you organise your paperwork so it’s complete and clearly presented before you apply.

Because a refused visa fee is generally not refunded, a well-prepared application is worth the effort. See how we help on our Schengen visa preparation page, or read our step-by-step guide to applying for a Schengen visa.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 90 euro fee include the visa application centre charge?

No. The 90 euro fee is the visa fee itself. If you apply through a centre like VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS, the centre may add its own service fee on top, which EU rules cap. Ask the centre for its current amount.

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

The visa fee is generally not refunded if your visa is refused. That’s one reason careful preparation matters. Confirm the current refund rules on the official EU source before you apply.

Is the Code X Elite fee the same as the visa fee?

No. They’re two separate costs. You pay the visa fee to the consulate or centre. You pay our flat service fee to Code X Elite for preparing your documents. We don’t collect the government visa fee for you.

Before you apply

Fees change, and the details depend on your nationality, your age, and how you apply. Treat this guide as general information, not legal advice. Always confirm the current fees on the official EU source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu.

Ready to prepare a clean, complete application for one flat fee? Start your Schengen visa preparation with Code X Elite.