Published on: 2 June 2026
One of the first practical questions that comes to mind once you decide to apply for a Schengen visa is usually this: "How much is this going to cost, exactly?" The answer isn't a single figure, because a Schengen application actually involves more than one charge. In this article we'll calmly walk through how the consular fee and service charges work, who may benefit from a discount or exemption, and what to keep in mind when you pay. Our aim isn't to scare you with numbers, but to help you set the process up correctly from the start.
This is the first point most applicants confuse. The amount you pay for a Schengen application is in fact made up of two separate items:
So the total you pay at the application centre is, in most cases, the sum of these two items. If you only hear about the consular fee when you ask "How much is the visa?", you may end up surprised by an additional cost. Treating the two as separate from the outset is the first step toward planning your budget realistically.
The consular visa fee is not left to the discretion of a single agency or application centre; it is set within the framework of the common Schengen visa policy and is updated from time to time. As a result, a figure that is valid today may well be different a few months later.
Because the fee is generally defined in euros, the current exchange rate also affects the total when you pay in Turkish lira. For this reason, building a firm budget around an old figure you found online can be misleading. For the current and exact amount, always rely on the relevant country's official consulate or its authorised application centre.
If you are planning to travel as a family, here is some reassuring news: children in certain age groups may qualify for a reduced fee, while younger children may be fully exempt. Since the age limits and the details of how this is applied can vary by destination country and by the rules in force at the time, it would be unwise to simply assume in advance that travel is "free up to a certain age".
Beyond children, exemptions or discounts may also apply in some special cases (for example, for those travelling under certain academic or cultural exchange programmes). The most reliable way to find out exactly which rule applies to your family's situation is to confirm it from an official source before you apply.
As a rule, the fee and the service charge are collected at the time of application. In other words, when you attend your appointment you submit your documents and make your payment together. Accepted payment methods can vary by application centre; some prefer cash, others card payments. Finding out this detail before you go to your appointment helps you avoid any hiccups at the counter.
In return for your payment, you will always be given a receipt or proof of payment. We recommend keeping this document safe; it both records your application and serves as the most concrete piece of evidence you hold should any issue arise later.
This is perhaps the most misunderstood point. The visa fee you pay is the charge for your application being assessed, not for the visa being granted. Therefore, even if your application is refused, the fee is generally not refunded. Because the consulate has carried out the work of reviewing your file and reaching a decision, it is considered to have earned this charge.
This fact also shows why thorough preparation matters so much. With an incomplete or inconsistent file, an application can waste not only your time but also, to a large extent, the fee you have paid. That is why a carefully prepared file that clearly sets out your travel purpose, your financial situation, and your intention to return is always the more sensible investment.
When calculating your total cost, it is worth considering not only the fee but the other items tied to the process:
If you haven't yet decided which country to travel to, the detailed content on our countries page and the Visa Regime Table, which shows the regime based on your passport, will help guide your first step.
If you'd like to get clear on how the fees break down item by item and what matters specifically for your situation, you can reach us through our contact page; we'll gladly help you set your application up the right way.