💶 EU Considers Changes to Schengen Visa Fees: What Travellers Need to Know
The European Union is considering possible changes to the Schengen visa fee system, but no new fee has been approved yet.
The issue was discussed by the EU’s Visa Working Party on 14 September 2026, with a discussion paper specifically focused on a possible increase in visa fees to support the EU’s Common Visa Policy. (Consilium)
💶 What Is the Current Schengen Visa Fee?
At present, the standard short-stay Schengen visa costs:
- €90 for adults
- €45 for children aged 6–11
- €35 for certain nationals covered by specific visa facilitation agreements
- Additional service charges may apply when applications are submitted through external visa centres. (Migration and Home Affairs)
The current €90 adult fee was introduced in June 2024, when the previous €80 fee was increased. The EU reviews visa fees periodically using factors including inflation and civil-service salary levels. (Migration and Home Affairs)
🚨 Why Is the EU Looking at Fees Again?
The discussion comes as the EU is working on a broader modernisation of its visa policy.
The European Commission adopted its first-ever EU Visa Strategy in January 2026, aiming to make the visa system more secure while also making legitimate travel easier and more predictable. (Migration and Home Affairs)
The strategy includes:
- 🛂 Stronger visa and border security
- 💻 More digital visa procedures
- 🌍 Longer-validity multiple-entry visas for trusted travellers
- 🎓 Better conditions for attracting international students and skilled workers
- ⚡ More efficient visa processing
A possible fee increase is therefore being discussed alongside wider changes to the EU’s visa system. (Migration and Home Affairs)
❓ Will Schengen Visa Fees Definitely Increase?
Not yet.
This is an important distinction.
The EU has discussed a possible increase, but the September 2026 meeting does not mean that a new fee has already been approved or that applicants must immediately pay more.
Travellers should therefore continue using the currently applicable fees until the EU formally adopts and announces any change.
🌍 Who Could Be Affected?
Any traveller who needs a short-stay Schengen visa could potentially be affected if the standard fee changes.
This includes people travelling to Europe for:
✈️ Tourism
👨👩👧 Family visits
💼 Business trips
🎓 Short-term study or training
🏥 Certain medical visits
A Schengen visa generally allows eligible non-EU nationals to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. (Migration and Home Affairs)
What Does This Mean for Pakistani Travellers?
For Pakistani applicants, there is currently no confirmed new Schengen visa fee to pay based on this discussion.
However, Pakistanis planning to visit Europe should keep an eye on any official EU announcement because even a relatively small increase would add to the overall cost of applying, especially when combined with travel to a visa application centre, insurance, photographs, document preparation and possible service charges.
💻 Europe Is Also Moving Toward Digital Visas
The fee discussion is happening while the EU is moving toward a more digital visa process.
The EU’s long-term plan is to replace traditional visa stickers with digital visas and introduce a central online application platform after a transition period. Applicants will still need to provide biometrics when required. (Migration and Home Affairs)
The EU is also preparing ETIAS for visa-exempt travellers, which is different from a Schengen visa and is intended to provide pre-travel authorisation for eligible visa-free visitors. (Migration and Home Affairs)
🔎 What Should Travellers Do Now?
If you’re planning a European trip:
1. Check the current official visa fee before applying.
2. Don’t rely on social-media claims about a new fee until officially confirmed.
3. Apply through the appropriate consulate or authorised visa centre.
4. Budget for additional service and travel costs.
5. Watch for upcoming EU announcements about visa reform.
The Bottom Line
The EU is considering changes to Schengen visa fees, but there is no confirmed new fee yet.
The discussion is part of a much broader transformation of Europe’s visa system — including greater digitalisation, stronger security and potentially easier procedures for trusted travellers.
For anyone planning to visit Europe in 2026–27, the Schengen visa system could look quite different in the coming years.
