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Starting 11 June 2024, the cost for the short-term Schengen visa (visa type C) went up. Applications for adults are now set at EUR 90 (previously EUR 80) and for children between the ages of 6 and 12, applications carry a fee of EUR 45 (previously EUR 40).1
Visa fee-exempt categories remain exempt from having to pay any fees.
Short-term Schengen visas are typically for stays in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days and the visa is required for nationals in several non-EU countries.2
WHY THIS MATTERS
The higher cost will impact the costs associated with international assignments/secondments and business travel. Employers should consider the impact on international assignement costs and budgeting, and plan accordingly.
The European Commission has revised the visa fees only.3 The conditions to obtain a short-term-stay Schengen visa remain unchanged.
Context
The Schengen area comprises 29 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.5
Schengen visas allow holders to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Although the Schengen visa grants entry to the Schengen area, it does not grant a right to work.
More Highlights
In addition to the increase of visa fees for the short-term Schengen visa, nationals of countries that have not cooperated on readmission of their nationals irregularly staying in the EU will be paying a visa fee of EUR 135 or EUR 180.6
Applicants in countries that have a visa facilitation agreement with the EU in place will remain unaffected by the new Schengen visa fee changes and visa-exempt categories will remain exempt from having to pay any fees.
MEIJBURG & CO. INSIGHTS
In 2023, EU countries and Schengen associated countries received more than 10.3 million applications for short-stay visas (increase of 37 percent compared to 2022) and the top two countries applying for this visa are the People’s Republic of China and Turkey with over 1 million applications from each.6
The EU Commission states that the increase of visa fees is caused by inflation rate movements and increases in the salaries of civil servants.7 However, according to some media outlets, discontent with the increase of visa fees has been noted especially among Turkish citizens,8 organisations facilitating cultural and trade exchanges,9 and organisations facilitating transport, pointing out that higher visa fees may deter visitors which would shrink the volume of travellers.10
Employers, cross-border workers, and travellers with questions about the fee increase and its implications, should consider reaching out to their usual immigration counsel or a member of the KPMG immigration team.
FOOTNOTES
1 European Commission: “Visa fees – revised amounts (amendment to the Visa Code),” 2024; Government of the Republic of Slovenia (first publication) (in English): “Increase of Schengen visa fees,” 20 May 2024.
2 European Commission: “EU list of countries whose citizens are rquired to hold a visa,” 2024.
3 Official Journal of the European Union: “Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1415 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 as regards the amount of the visa fees,” 14 March 2024.
4 European Commission: “Schengen Area,” 12 June 2024.
5 Official Journal of the European Union: “Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1415 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 as regards the amount of the visa fees,” 14 March 2024.
6 European Commission: “Visa applications reach 10.3 million in EU- and Schengen Associated Countries,” 15 May 2024.
7 European Commission: “Visa fees – revised amounts (amendment to the Visa Code),” 2024.
8 P. Talukdar, “Increase in Schengen Visa fees for adults and children to take effect starting today,” published in Business Today (online) 11 June 2024. Please note that by clicking on this link you are leaving the KPMG website for an external site (non-KPMG, non-governmental) that KPMG is not affiliated with nor does KPMG endorse its content. The use of the external site and its content may be subject to the terms of use and/or privacy policies of its owner or operator.
9 S. Januzi, “EU to Increase Schengen Visa Fees by 12% From June 11,” published in Schengen.news (online), 20 May 2024. Please note that by clicking on this link you are leaving the KPMG website for an external site (non-KPMG, non-governmental) that KPMG is not affiliated with nor does KPMG endorse its content. The use of the external site and its content may be subject to the terms of use and/or privacy policies of its owner or operator.
10 Ibid.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the Netherlands.
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