Schengen visa fees and total cost (2026)
The consular fee is set EU-wide. Service centres, insurance and translations add to your total. Below is a transparent breakdown plus an interactive calculator.
Consular fees (set by EU)
| Category | Before 11/06/2026 | From 11/06/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, Visa C / A | €80 | €90 |
| Child 6–12, Visa C / A | €40 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free | Free |
| Visa D (long-stay) | €60–€150 depending on country and category | |
| ETIAS (when launched, late 2026) | €7 (free under 18 or over 70) | |
Source: European Commission Implementing Decision adopted 27 May 2024; KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2024-126; Council of the EU communications.
Exemptions from the consular fee
Some applicants pay nothing for the visa itself:
- Children under 6.
- Pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers travelling for study/educational training.
- Researchers under Directive (EU) 2016/801.
- Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under, in seminars/conferences/cultural/sports events.
- Family members of EU/EEA citizens exercising free movement rights (Directive 2004/38/EC) — under conditions.
- Some countries waive fees under bilateral agreements (e.g. Russia–Schengen visa facilitation agreement was suspended in 2022; Western Balkans waivers; etc.).
Service fees (VFS, TLS, BLS, Capago)
When the consulate outsources intake to a Visa Application Centre (VAC), you pay an additional service fee. It varies by country and provider, typically:
- VFS Global — €30–€50
- TLScontact — €35–€45
- BLS International — €30–€40
- Capago — €40–€60 (premium operator, mainly France/South Africa)
Optional add-ons (VIP rooms, courier delivery, SMS tracking) are never required — only the standard fee is part of the official process.
Travel medical insurance
Required: min. €30,000 coverage for medical and repatriation, valid in all Schengen states for the whole trip. Typical costs: €15–€30 for a 1-week trip, €40–€80 for 3–4 weeks. Check that the policy explicitly says "Schengen visa" or covers medical evacuation.
Cost calculator
Estimate your total cost
Indicative. Excludes translations, photocopies, photos, courier and travel costs.
Other costs to budget
- Biometric photos: €8–€15.
- Sworn translations of documents (some countries): €20–€60 per page.
- Apostille / legalisation of foreign documents: €5–€30 per document.
- Courier return of passport: €10–€20.
- Travel to/from the Visa Application Centre.