💳 Schengen Visa Fees 2026 - Complete Cost Breakdown

💶 Basic Visa Fees (All Schengen Countries)

Exchange rates as of February 2026: €1 = ₹90 = $1.08 (approx)

🏢 VFS Service Charges (Visa Application Centers)

Most Schengen countries outsource visa applications to VFS Global. You pay BOTH visa fee + VFS service charges:

VFS charges vary by country and may change. Check official VFS website for current rates.

➕ Additional Costs You Need to Budget

1. Mandatory Costs:

• Travel Insurance: €30-50 (₹2,700-4,500) - MANDATORY for all applicants
• Visa Fees: €90 (adults) + €45 (children 6-12)
• VFS Service Charges: ₹2,200-3,000
• Biometric Fee (if applicable): Usually included in VFS charges

2. Optional Services (VFS):

• SMS Alerts: ₹150-250
• Prime Time Appointment: ₹2,500-5,000 (skip queue)
• Lounge Access: ₹1,500-3,000
• Photo Service: ₹300-500 (if you don't bring photos)
• Photocopying: ₹50-100 per set
• Courier Return: ₹500-800 (passport delivered home)

3. Document Preparation Costs:

• Flight Reservation: ₹500-2,000 (dummy booking service)
• Hotel Bookings: Free (if refundable) or ₹500 (booking service)
• Passport Photos: ₹100-300
• Document Translation: ₹500-2,000 per document (if required)
• Notarization/Attestation: ₹200-1,000 per document

💳 How to Pay Visa Fees

Payment Methods (Varies by Country):

At VFS Centers:

• Cash: Accepted at most VFS centers (bring exact amount)
• Card: Credit/Debit cards accepted (may have 2-3% surcharge)
• Online Payment: Some countries allow pre-payment during booking

At Embassy (Direct Application):

• Demand Draft: In favor of the embassy
• Card Payment: Some embassies accept (France, Germany)
• Bank Transfer: Pay before appointment, bring receipt

✅ Who Gets FREE Schengen Visa?

Fee Waiver Categories:

1. Children Under 6: Always free
2. Students: Going for study/research/training (need invitation)
3. Researchers: Academic/scientific research (need invitation from research institute)
4. EU Family Members: Spouse/children of EU citizens
5. Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders
6. Emergency Medical Treatment: If you're traveling for urgent medical care (need hospital letter)
7. Funeral/Serious Illness: Close family member in Europe (need proof)

Reduced Fee (€45 instead of €90):

• Children aged 6-12 years
• Students under 25 on school trips

🔄 Are Visa Fees Refundable?

❌ NO Refund If:

• Your visa is rejected
• You withdraw your application after payment
• You don't show up for appointment
• Your documents are incomplete
• You change your travel plans

✅ Possible Refund If:

• You paid twice by mistake (with proof)
• Embassy made an error in processing
• Payment was debited but application not registered

Bottom line: Consider visa fees as non-refundable. Only apply when you're fully prepared!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family of 4 Cost Example

💡 Money-Saving Tips

1. Apply Early - Avoid "prime time" VFS charges (₹2,500-5,000 extra)
2. Take Own Photos - Don't pay ₹500 at VFS, get them for ₹100 outside
3. Make Own Copies - Photocopy all documents before going (VFS charges ₹50-100)
4. Skip Optional Services - SMS, lounge, etc. are unnecessary
5. Prepare Documents Well - Avoid rejection and losing €90
6. Book Refundable Hotels - Don't pay for booking services
7. Use Free Flight Reservation - Many travel agents provide free for 48 hours
8. Travel Insurance Online - Buy from Policybazaar/Digit, cheaper than VFS
9. Apply to Right Country - Some VFS centers charge less
10. Group Applications - Family applies together, some costs shared

🌍 Country-Specific Fee Notes

France

• VFS Charges: ₹2,500
• Prime Time: +₹5,000 (skip queue)
• Payment: Cash/Card at VFS

Germany

• VFS Charges: ₹2,200 (lowest)
• Payment: Cash/Card at VFS
• Often no interview = save time

Spain

• VFS Charges: ₹2,800
• BLS International (not VFS)
• Payment: Cash/Card/Online

Italy

• VFS Charges: ₹2,650
• Payment: Online mandatory before appointment
• Courier return: ₹800

Switzerland

• VFS Charges: ₹3,000 (highest)
• More expensive overall
• Payment: Card preferred

Frequently Asked Questions