Cheapest Schengen Visa Country 2026: Fees, Service Charges & Total Cost
The Schengen visa fee is €90 for every country it's set by EU regulation and doesn't change whether you apply for France, Germany, or Greece. What actually varies is the service charge added by VFS Global or TLScontact on top of the embassy fee. Here's how to minimise total cost without damaging your application.
In this guide
The €90 Visa Fee Is the Same for All 29 Countries
Since June 2024, the standard Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–12, and free for children under 6. This applies identically to all 29 Schengen member states France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, and all others charge exactly the same embassy fee.
There is no "cheaper country" in terms of the official visa fee. Anyone telling you Greece or Portugal is cheaper to apply to is wrong the base fee is fixed by EU law.
Where the Cost Actually Varies: Service Fees
The real variable is the VFS Global or TLScontact service charge added on top of the €90 embassy fee. These charges differ by country of application (where you're applying from), not by which Schengen country you're visiting.
| Applying From | Embassy Fee | VFS Service Fee (approx) | Total (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | €90 | ₹1,7502,200 | €90 + ₹2,000 |
| United Kingdom | €90 | £30–38 | €90 + £33 |
| USA | €90 | $26–32 | €90 + $28 |
| Ireland | €90 | €3–040 | €120–130 |
| Indonesia | €90 | Rp 450,000600,000 | €90 + Rp 500k |
Note: VFS fees change periodically. Always verify on the official VFS Global website for your specific country and embassy combination before applying.
How to Avoid the VFS Service Fee Entirely
Some Schengen embassies still accept direct applications you submit your documents to the embassy or consulate without going through VFS or TLScontact. This saves you the €2–040 service charge entirely.
However, direct application availability varies by country and by your location. Check the specific embassy website for your destination country to confirm if they accept direct applications in your city.
The trade-off: VFS centres have more appointment slots and are open longer hours. Direct embassy applications may have fewer available slots, especially in peak season.
Total Cost of a Schengen Visa Application in 2026
Beyond the visa and service fee, budget for these mandatory supporting documents:
- travel insurance: €1–025 for a 10-day trip (must cover minimum €30,000 medical expenses). See Schengen travel insurance guide for cheapest compliant options.
- Flight reservation (on-hold ticket): Free if you do it yourself via the airline's hold feature, or €1–020 via a reservation service. Never buy a non-refundable ticket before your visa is approved.
- Hotel booking: €0 if you use free-cancellation properties. Book refundable, pay nothing until check-in, cancel if refused. See hotel booking for visa application.
- Bank statement: Free from most banks via online download; some banks charge €515 for a certified statement.
Total realistic budget: Embassy fee (€90) + service fee (€2–540) + insurance (€1–525) = €130–155 total for most applicants.
Which Schengen Country Should You Apply To?
You must apply to the embassy of your main destination the country where you'll spend the most nights. If you're visiting multiple countries equally, apply to the country of first entry. You cannot simply choose whichever country is cheapest or easiest the application jurisdiction must match your actual travel plan.
Applying to a cheaper or easier embassy while planning to spend most of your time in a different country is considered misrepresentation. Officers cross-check your itinerary, hotel bookings, and flight reservations against the embassy you applied to.
🔥 Most Asked by Applicants
- What documents do I need?
- How do I write a cover letter?
- How much bank balance to show?
- What travel insurance do I need?
- How do I book a visa appointment?
- How long does processing take?
- Which country approves easiest?
- Why do visas get rejected?
- How to get a flight reservation?
- Which insurance plan is best?
- How much does a Schengen visa cost?
- Where do I start as a first timer?
Common Questions About Schengen Visa Costs
Is there any Schengen country with a lower visa fee than €90?
No. The €90 fee is set by EU regulation and applies identically to all 29 Schengen countries. It was raised from €80 in June 2024. Children aged 6–12 pay €45; under 6 is free. No individual country can charge less than this for the standard short-stay visa.
Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if refused?
No. The €90 embassy fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. The VFS service fee is also non-refundable in most cases. This is why it's critical to prepare a complete, consistent application before submitting.
Can I apply to Greece or Portugal because they are cheaper?
Only if Greece or Portugal is genuinely your main destination. The embassy fee is identical (€90) for all countries there is no cost advantage to applying to any specific Schengen country. If you apply to Greece but plan to spend most nights in France, your application will have a jurisdiction mismatch that raises red flags.
Do children pay the same visa fee?
No. Children aged 6–12 pay €45 (half the adult fee). Children under 6 years old are exempt from the visa fee entirely. This exemption applies across all 29 Schengen countries.
What is the cheapest way to get the required supporting documents?
Use free-cancellation hotel bookings (pay nothing upfront, cancel after visa decision), do your own flight reservation via the airline's hold feature, and buy the minimum compliant insurance (€30,000 coverage plans start from under €1/day). Total supporting document cost can be kept under €25 if done correctly.