Schengen visa application expenses for Tunisian nationals can soon increase by 12.5 per cent, causing the expenditure levels to reach over €14 million thanks to an EU Commission initiative to raise the fees for applicants by at least another €10.
According to Schengen Statistics, the average number of visa applications filed by Tunisians between 2018 and 2022 was around 157,000. With a €80 visa application fee, Tunisians had to pay a total of €63 million to apply for a Schengen visa, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
If the Commission approves of this draft proposal, visa fees will be raised to €90, indicating that Tunisians will pay some €1.5 million more than they did so far.
New Visa Fees to Be Introduced for All Applicants
The new prices would increase from €80 to 90€ for a Schengen visa application, while the same would be raised from €40 to €50 for minors. In addition, Schengen visa fees for countries showing a lack of cooperation on readmission would be required to pay a higher amount – from €120 to €135 and from €160 to €180. External Schengen visa service providers might also expect a higher fee if this proposal is greenlighted.
The revision of the visa fees does not affect the fees laid out in visa facilitation agreements unless the agreement’s provisions make explicit reference to the visa fees set out in the Visa Code.
The Commission’s latest initiative to revise the amount of the Schengen visa fees was left open for public comment until March 1, 2024, allowing EU citizens to share their opinions on the matter.
Ok so having some experience travelling before and after visa-free: the cost is not an issue, almost never is. The nuisance, confusion and added hurdles are. If someone is not computer-savvy, like old people, it will be even more [problematic] for them. What’s the benefit?
EU Commission Wants to Make Visa Applications More Expensive Due to Inflation Rates
The Commission has noted that the increase in visa fees has been in discussion due to inflation rates in the EU. According to Eurostat, the EU Statistical Office, the annual inflation in the EU reached 2.8 per cent in 2024 – down from 3.1 per cent recorded in January and even way lower than it was one year earlier – 9.9 per cent.
The lowest inflation rates in February 2024 were recorded in Latvia and Denmark, both standing at 0.6 per cent, in addition to Italy (0.8 per cent).
