Applying for a Schengen visa from the UK in 2025 is not only about appointments and documents. What most applicants actually get stuck on is the fee. How much they need to pay, why the amount is not the same for everyone, and how service fees quietly push the final cost higher than expected.

This guide explains how Schengen visa fees work in practice. We look at consular charges, visa application rules, age-based reductions, nationality-based exceptions, and the additional fees charged by visa centres in the UK. The goal is simple: to help applicants understand what they are paying for — and why.

Understanding the Schengen Visa Fee When Submitting a Visa Application

The Schengen visa fee is the mandatory charge collected by the consular authority of the member state handling your visa application. It applies to a short stay visa, which allows travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The amount is set at EU level and does not change from one Schengen country to another. Applying in London or in another part of the United Kingdom makes no difference — the basic visa cost stays the same.

Who Sets Visa Fees and Regulates the Visa Application Process

All visa fees for Schengen visas are regulated by the European Union. Individual embassies and consulates cannot change the amount, reduce it arbitrarily, or increase it based on demand.

Small variations appear only at the payment stage. Fees are fixed in eur, while payments in the UK are taken in pounds. The conversion is based on the official exchange rate published by the European Central Bank, which is why the amount you end up paying can change slightly over time.

Standard Schengen Visa Fees for Adult Applicants

For most adult applicants applying from the United Kingdom, the standard visa charge in 2025 is €90. This amount applies to all short stay visa requests, regardless of the intended duration of travel or the number of entries requested.

It is worth noting that this figure applies only to short stays. Long-stay visas (Type D) work differently. Their fees are set by individual countries and are usually higher than those for short stays. In some cases, the cost goes beyond €135, and in France, for instance, the fee for a long-stay visa is expected to rise to €225 in 2025.

As with short-stay visas, the payment itself is final. Once the visa application has been submitted and the fee paid, it cannot be refunded. Even if the visa is refused, the amount is not carried over, so any new application means paying the fee again.

Schengen Visa Fees for Children Based on Age

Age has a direct impact on visa fees, particularly for families travelling together when applying for a short stay visa. Children under six are fully exempt from the standard Schengen visa charge, while those aged six to eleven pay a reduced fee of €45. From the age of twelve, the adult rate applies.

When several children are included, these rules start to matter in real terms and can noticeably change the overall cost of a visa application. In some cases, age-based charges alone can exceed half of the overall travel budget, even before nationality-based reductions under a visa facilitation agreement are taken into account.

Visa Facilitation Agreements and Reduced Visa Fees

Some third countries benefit from a visa facilitation agreement with the EU. These agreements simplify the short stay visa application process and reduce the standard Schengen visa fee.

Under visa facilitation, eligible applicants usually pay €35 instead of €90. Countries covered include Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, and, in specific categories, Armenia Azerbaijan.

Who Qualifies Under Visa Facilitation Rules

Visa facilitation typically applies to specific categories of travellers, such as students, researchers, journalists, and participants in cultural exchanges.

Eligibility is assessed by the consulate based on the subject of travel, supporting documents, and official proof. Applicants must clearly demonstrate that their visa application falls within the facilitated group.

Single Entry Schengen Type C Visa Fees in Practice

To make the different visa fees easier to compare, it helps to look at the official charges side by side. The table below shows the Schengen visa fee applied to a short stay visa (Single Entry Schengen Type C) under current EU rules.

Single Entry Schengen Type C Visa Fees (2025)

These amounts reflect the official Schengen visa fee only. When a visa application is submitted through a visa application centre in the United Kingdom, a separate service fee is charged on top of the consular fee.

Family Members of EU Citizens and Swiss Nationals

Certain family members of EU citizens and Swiss nationals are fully exempt from paying the Schengen visa fee.

This usually covers spouses, dependent children, and, in some cases, dependent parents. To confirm the relationship, applicants need to show standard documents, such as a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, and a photocopy of the EU citizen’s passport. Similar document checks also apply in cases linked to a visa facilitation agreement, where family ties play a role in how the application is assessed.

When a Schengen Visa Can Be Issued Free of Charge

A visa may be issued free of charge in limited exceptions, for example for children under six, school pupils travelling as part of organised educational trips, or researchers travelling for scientific purposes. The same exemption can also apply to close family members, particularly first-degree relatives such as spouses, parents, and dependent children. In these situations, the consular fee may be waived.

In practice, however, service fees charged by visa centres are usually still payable, even when the visa itself is issued free of charge.

VFS and TLS Service Fees Explained for UK Applicants

In the United Kingdom, most visa applications go through external providers such as VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International. For applicants, the key note here is simple: a mandatory service fee is added on top of the visa cost, and it is charged per person, regardless of how the visa itself is priced in euro.

In 2025, this fee usually sits between £25 and £35. The exact amount depends on where you apply, how busy appointments are, and which service option you choose. Unlike the consular fee set in euro, it does not change with age and comes with no exemptions — every person, from children to adults, pays the same service fee.

How Nationality Affects Schengen Visa Fees

Even though the basic visa charge is the same, nationality still makes a difference. The passport you apply with determines whether a reduced fee applies or whether the full amount has to be paid.

Some applicants benefit from lower fees because their country is covered by a visa facilitation agreement, while others do not. These distinctions are not decided locally and do not change from one Schengen country to another.

Across the entire Schengen system, the same rules are followed by every member state. When currency conversion is involved, amounts are calculated using reference rates linked to the European Central Bank, rather than figures set individually by each country.

Total Cost of a Schengen Visa Application in the UK

For most adult applicants, the overall cost of a visa application usually comes down to three things: the €90 visa charge, required service fees, and any optional extras such as document scanning or courier service.

Because the fee is set in euro and then converted into pounds, small changes in the exchange rate and rounding can make the amount you pay look slightly different from one date to another.

If finding an appointment is your next concern, you can use Visabot to monitor availability and book a Schengen visa slot as soon as one opens. It helps applicants avoid constant manual checks and saves time during busy periods.

Accepted Payment Methods at Visa Application Centres

Most visa centres accept debit cards and Mastercard. Some locations may still accept cash, but this is becoming less common, and applicants are not always able to withdraw money on site.

Applicants who arrive without an accepted payment method risk having their application not accepted on the day of the appointment.

When and How Visa Fees Must Be Paid in the UK

All fees must be paid on the date of the appointment, before the visa application is formally submitted.

If payment fails or cannot be processed, the application cannot proceed, regardless of whether the appointment itself was confirmed.

What Happens to Visa Fees if the Application Is Denied

If a visa is denied, all fees remain non refundable. This applies even when the refusal is based on missing documents or insufficient proof.

Applicants may refer to the refusal notice to decide whether submitting a new application makes sense.

Documents That Affect Fee Reductions and Exemptions

Reduced or exempt fees usually come down to one thing: applicants need to present complete and accurate documents with their application. In reality, this comes down to one thing: having everything ready and easy to understand from the start.

A missing passport, an incomplete certificate, or a forgotten photocopy often becomes a problem straight away. If these documents are not present, the application is handled as a regular one, and the full fee has to be paid.

Students, Researchers and Other Special Categories

Students and researchers travelling for academic reasons are often not charged the full visa fee. If the trip is officially covered and backed by the right documentation, a reduced fee — or no fee at all — may apply. This is common for study exchanges, research stays, conferences, and similar academic visits, where the purpose of travel is clearly stated in the documents.

In practice, these applications are sometimes handled directly by the consulate, without a visit to a visa centre. That said, this is not something applicants can rely on in every case. Some applications still go through a visa centre, while others do not. What matters in the end is how the application and supporting documents are reviewed by the consulate.

FAQ: Schengen Visa Fees for UK Applicants

Does it matter which Schengen country handles my application when it comes to fees?
People often expect differences here, but there usually aren’t any. The base fee stays the same across the Schengen area, regardless of which country processes the application.

Can Schengen visa fees be refunded if the visa is denied?
No. Once the visa application is submitted and the fee is paid, it is non refundable, even if the visa is later denied.

Do children always pay a lower visa fee?
Yes, but it depends on age. Children under six are fully exempt, children aged six to eleven pay a reduced fee, and those aged twelve and over pay the adult rate.

Are service fees included in the Schengen visa fee?
No. Service fees are charged separately by visa application centres and are not included in the official consular fee.

Does living in the United Kingdom affect how much you pay for a visa?
Not really. The fee depends on your nationality, age, and whether your application falls under a visa facilitation agreement. Residence in the United Kingdom on its own does not change the amount.

Conclusion: Planning Your Schengen Visa Application Budget

Having a clear picture of Schengen visa fees is essential if you want to plan realistically and avoid unpleasant surprises later on. Once consular charges, mandatory service fees, and currency conversion are taken into account, the real cost of a visa application often turns out to be higher than many applicants expect at first.

Taking the time to check whether any reductions apply, making sure the right documents are prepared in advance, and knowing how payment works in the United Kingdom can make a real difference. It helps applicants stay in control of the process and approach their Schengen visa application with far more confidence and fewer last-minute issues.