The European Union has confirmed a 12% hike in the fees for Schengen visas, a change set to take effect on June 11, 2024. This increase adjusts the cost from EUR 80 to EUR 90 for adults and from EUR 40 to EUR 45 for children aged six to twelve. The revision, part of a routine assessment conducted every three years, reflects ongoing economic factors including inflation and the salaries of civil servants. Notably, countries not cooperating on the readmission of citizens may see fees surge to EUR 135 or even EUR 180.

This fee adjustment was decided after a review in December 2023 under the Schengen Visa Code, which governs the framework of EU visa charges. The last modification occurred in February 2020, marking a significant rise from EUR 60 to EUR 80. The decision, however, has sparked discontent among various groups, particularly Turkish citizens, who have been anticipating a visa-free agreement with the EU.

In 2023, the Schengen area, which comprises 29 European countries, received over 10.3 million short-stay visa applications. This figure represents a 37% increase from the previous year, although it still does not match the pre-pandemic peak of 17 million applications in 2019. Indian nationals, showing a significant interest in European destinations, contributed to this volume with 966,687 visa applications, ranking third after China and Turkey.

The surge in applications has led to logistical challenges, including a shortage of available slots for visa interviews, affecting travel plans for many. To alleviate some of these issues, the European Commission has introduced a new visa "cascade" system for Indian nationals, facilitating easier access to multi-entry visas with longer validity periods, enhancing the travel experience for frequent visitors to the Schengen zone.