The Schengen visa fee for is €90 for most adult applicants, following the European Commission's increase from the previous €80 rate. Children aged six to eleven pay €45, and children under six are exempt. Beyond that mandatory consular fee, the total cost of a Schengen visa application typically runs higher once you account for service charges, biometric enrollment, and supporting documents – including the flight itinerary that nearly every Schengen consulate requires as part of a complete application.
This guide walks through every cost component in the order you will encounter them, so you can budget accurately and submit a complete application without unnecessary delays.
Step 1: Confirm the Consular Fee for Your Applicant Category
The consular fee is the official government charge paid directly to the embassy or visa application centre. It is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Standard Adult Fee
Most applicants aged twelve and over pay €90. This rate applies to tourist, business, transit, and family visit visas across all 27 Schengen member states. The fee is set by the European Commission and is uniform – the consulate you apply at does not change it.
Reduced and Exempt Categories
| Applicant Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults (12 and over) | €90 |
| Children (6–11 years) | €45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Holders of diplomatic/service passports | Often free (verify with consulate) |
| Researchers and students (bilateral agreements) | Free or reduced |
| Close family members of EU citizens | Free |
Some nationalities benefit from fee waivers under bilateral agreements between their government and the European Union. Applicants from countries with such arrangements – Ukraine is a longstanding example – should confirm current terms with the relevant embassy, as geopolitical developments can affect these provisions.
For a full breakdown of which visa categories are available and which fees apply to each, the Schengen visa types vary by purpose of travel and duration.
Step 2: Account for Visa Application Centre Service Fees
Most applicants do not submit their documents directly to a consulate. They use an accredited Visa Application Centre (VAC), operated by companies such as VFS Global or TLScontact on behalf of member state governments.
VACs charge a separate service fee on top of the consular fee. This amount varies by country of application.
Typical VAC Fee Ranges
| Country of Application | Approximate VAC Service Fee |
|---|---|
| India | €25–€35 |
| Nigeria | €30–€40 |
| United States | €25–€30 |
| Turkey | €20–€30 |
| Philippines | €20–€30 |
These figures are indicative. The exact fee depends on which Schengen member state's consulate you are applying to and which VAC operates in your location. Always verify the current fee on the VAC's official website before your appointment.
VAC fees are also non-refundable. If a Schengen consulate is processing your application directly without a VAC intermediary, this cost does not apply.
Step 3: Budget for Biometric Enrollment
First-time Schengen applicants, and those whose biometrics are not already stored in the Visa Information System (VIS), must attend an in-person appointment to have fingerprints and a photograph taken. This is typically included in or added to the VAC service fee, but some centres charge it separately at approximately €5–€10.
Applicants who provided biometrics within the last 59 months do not need to re-enroll and can sometimes submit applications by post or courier rather than attending in person.
Step 4: Obtain a Flight Itinerary for Your Application
Every Schengen visa application requires documented proof of planned travel. Embassies and consulates consistently require a confirmed flight itinerary showing entry and exit dates from the Schengen Area but they do not require a fully purchased, paid ticket at the time of application.
Buying a full flight ticket before your visa is approved carries real financial risk. If the visa is rejected, refunding a purchased ticket is not guaranteed, and change fees can be substantial. The safer and widely accepted approach is to obtain a flight reservation for visa purposes – a verifiable itinerary with a real PNR (Passenger Name Record) that embassies can confirm, without the full ticket cost committed upfront.
ProvisionalBooking has issued over 60,000 flight itineraries to applicants in more than 190 countries, delivering each document in under 60 seconds via email.
Flight Itinerary Pricing
| Document Type | Price |
|---|---|
| One-way flight itinerary | $15 |
| Round-trip flight itinerary | $19 |
| Multi-city flight itinerary | $25 |
Additional passengers are added at $15 per adult, $10 per child, and $5 per infant on top of the base price.
Multi-City Itinerary Examples
| Passengers | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $25 base | $25.00 |
| 2 adults | $25 + $15 | $40.00 |
| 2 adults + 1 child | $25 + $15 + $10 | $50.00 |
| 2 adults + 1 child + 1 infant | $25 + $15 + $10 + $5 | $55.00 |
Embassies verify the PNR code on the itinerary directly with the airline's reservation system. A legitimate itinerary reservation carries a real booking reference – the distinction between a dummy ticket and a confirmed flight booking matters because embassies do check, and only verifiable documents hold up under scrutiny.
Step 5: Factor in Travel Insurance
Schengen visa applicants are required to hold travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen Area for the full duration of the planned stay.
Travel insurance for Schengen trips typically costs between €0.50 and €2.50 per day depending on the applicant's nationality, age, and the insurer. A 14-day trip might cost €10–€35 in insurance. Whether travel insurance is mandatory for entry depends on the destination – for Schengen, it is a firm application requirement, not optional.
The policy must be purchased before submitting the application, and proof of coverage must be included in the document package.
Step 6: Include Accommodation and Supporting Document Costs
Beyond the core fees, a complete Schengen application package typically includes:
- Proof of accommodation: Hotel booking confirmations or a letter of invitation from a host
- Bank statements: Usually the past three to six months, which may require a fee for certified or stamped copies at some banks
- Photographs: Visa-compliant passport photographs, typically €5–€15 at a photo centre
None of these are government-mandated fees, but failing to include them is a common reason for application rejection. Treat them as required line items when budgeting.
Step 7: Calculate Your Total Cost
With all components identified, a realistic total cost for a Schengen visa application in 2026 looks like this:
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Consular fee (adult) | €90 |
| VAC service fee | €20–€40 |
| Flight itinerary (round-trip) | $19 (~€18) |
| Travel insurance (14 days) | €15–€35 |
| Photographs and document copies | €5–€15 |
| Estimated total | €148–€198 |
Exchange rates affect the dollar-denominated costs. The consular fee is always charged in euros; application centres in some countries convert to local currency at their own rate, which can add a small margin.
For family applications, multiply the consular and VAC fees by the number of applicants, then add the applicable per-passenger itinerary cost.
What to Do Now
- Confirm the current fee schedule with the embassy or VAC for your specific destination country and application location – consular fee tiers for diplomatic passport holders and bilateral agreement beneficiaries can change.
- Get your flight itinerary first. It takes under 60 seconds and costs $15–$19. Having it in hand before your appointment keeps the application moving and removes the risk of buying a full ticket before approval.
- Purchase compliant travel insurance covering the full Schengen Area for the duration of your planned stay, with a minimum of €30,000 medical coverage.
- Book your VAC appointment through the official VFS Global or TLScontact portal for your target Schengen country. Slots fill quickly in peak seasons.
- Assemble the full document package – itinerary, insurance, accommodation proof, bank statements, photographs – before the appointment date. Incomplete packages are rejected at submission.
Get your visa-ready flight itinerary from ProvisionalBooking and have it delivered to your inbox in under 60 seconds.
FAQ
What Is the Schengen Visa Fee in 2026?
The standard Schengen visa fee in 2026 is €90 for applicants aged twelve and over. This represents an increase from the previous €80 rate, implemented by the European Commission. Children aged six to eleven pay €45, and children under six are exempt. The fee applies uniformly across all 27 Schengen member states regardless of which consulate processes the application.
Does the Schengen Visa Fee Cover the Full Cost of Applying?
No. The €90 consular fee is only one component of the total cost. Most applicants also pay a Visa Application Centre (VAC) service fee of €20–€40, purchase travel insurance meeting the €30,000 minimum coverage requirement, and obtain a flight itinerary. The realistic total for a single adult applicant is typically between €148 and €198 before accommodation proof and document copies.
Do I Need a Confirmed Flight Ticket to Apply for a Schengen Visa?
Schengen embassies require a flight itinerary showing planned travel dates, but they do not require a fully purchased ticket at the point of application. A verifiable flight reservation with a real PNR code is the standard approach, and it is widely accepted by consulates. Purchasing a full ticket before visa approval exposes applicants to financial loss if the application is rejected.
Is the Schengen Visa Fee Refundable If My Application Is Rejected?
No. The consular fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. VAC service fees are also non-refundable. This is why obtaining a flight itinerary reservation rather than a full purchased ticket is the financially prudent approach – a $15–$19 itinerary document can be replaced after visa approval, while a purchased airline ticket may not be refundable.
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for a Schengen Visa Application?
Schengen travel insurance typically costs between €0.50 and €2.50 per day, depending on the applicant's nationality, age, and insurer. A two-week trip generally runs €10–€35. The policy must cover the entire Schengen Area, cover the full duration of the trip, and provide a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage. Policies that do not meet these specifications will result in application rejection.
How Much Does a Schengen Visa Cost for a Family of Four?
For two adults and two children aged six to eleven, the consular fees alone total €270 (€90 × 2 adults + €45 × 2 children). Add two VAC service fees for the adults and a round-trip flight itinerary for all four – which works out to $19 base + $15 per additional adult + $10 per child and the document costs add another $54. Travel insurance for all four travelers adds further cost. Budget approximately €400–€500 for a family of four before accommodation proof and photographs.
How Long Does a Schengen Visa Application Take?
Standard processing for a Schengen visa takes 15 calendar days from the date the application is submitted to the consulate. Some consulates process applications faster, while peak travel seasons – particularly June through August – can see extended timelines. Applications cannot be submitted more than six months before the intended travel date, and most applicants submit 30–60 days in advance to allow adequate processing time.
Which Countries Are Part of the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries that share an open-border policy, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian nations. A single Schengen visa permits travel across all member states for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Ireland and the United Kingdom are not part of the Schengen Area and require separate visas.