Window to Europe: how much does a Schengen visa cost?

• Let's start preparing for the trip
• “I want Schengen for longer!”
• Collecting documents
• Where should I take the documents?
• “Allow your fingers”: submission of biometric data
• How much does Schengen cost?
• Schengen without incident: in which country to receive
• What if I’m going on a tour to several countries?
• Cancellation and annulment of visas

Well, let's start with the basics. A Schengen visa allows you to enter 26 countries with one permit, without issuing a national visa:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Hungary
• Germany
• Greece
• Denmark
• Iceland
• Spain
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Finland
• France
• Czech
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Estonia.

Plus, there are 4 “dark horses” who did not directly sign the Schengen Agreement, but are allowed in with a Schengen visa:

• Andorra
• Monaco
• Vatican
• San Marino.

What do you need to know about applying for Schengen in order to move freely throughout Europe and not experience grief?

Let's start preparing for the trip

It is advisable to start collecting documents at least a month before the expected departure date (no later than 2 weeks). The minimum is 3 days before the start of the trip, but, of course, there is no guarantee that it will be dealt with so quickly. If you want an urgent visa, you must apply through Moscow. Typically, documents are processed within 10 (calendar) days, but the period can extend up to 30 days (if visa officers have any questions or suspicions, or if the embassy/consulate is very busy). The maximum for which you can lay straws for yourself is 3 months, but you won’t be able to apply earlier.

By the way, the deadlines also depend on the method of submitting the package of documents (more on this below) - whether you choose a visa center or directly the consulate/embassy. Usually there are no long queues at visa centers - yes, there are more people there, but there are also more specialists - but do not forget about the “moving” of your documents from the center to the consulate and back. This is a minimum of 1-3 days for capitals and large cities, but if your embassy is in a different city than your place of residence, the period will logically increase. It is more difficult to get to the consulate (especially during the “hot” tourist seasons), it is strictly by appointment (thank God, now electronic) - we recommend making an appointment a month in advance.

Each Schengen country can determine its own deadlines for submitting, processing and issuing documents, focusing on the workload of employees.

How much does a Schengen tourist visa cost?

When submitting documents independently through the consulate, the cost of obtaining a tourist visa for citizens of the Russian Federation will be:

• 35 euros (standard processing within 7 calendar days);
• 70 euros (urgent processing).

At the same time, an increase in the amount of consular fees is possible in the near future. Thus, the European Commission has already approved the decision to increase the standard cost of a visa from 60 to 80 euros, but the timing of the introduction of new tariffs is still unknown.

If you use the services of a visa center or intermediaries when processing documents, you will additionally have to pay:

• standard visa center services – 15-30 euros; • preparation of documents for personal submission – 40-60 euros; • obtaining a visa through a turnkey travel agency – 100-150 euros; • obtaining an urgent visa in 1-3 days – 250-1400 euros (depending on the complexity of the case and the country).

A tourist Schengen visa will be free for children under 6 years of age (if you apply for it through a visa center, you will have to pay the latter’s commission for all applicants).

Collecting documents

The most boring, but necessary block. What should you pack in your folder before visiting a visa specialist?

Application/form for a visa

Forms are always freely available on the websites of the country’s embassies or visa centers; in some places you can enter data directly online and print out a ready-made form. In general, these forms are unified, there are only minor differences and features: look at the samples (they are always posted next to the forms) and fill out in accordance with them. Basic rules:

• We fill in the Latin alphabet (in Russian, tracing, like Ochen hochu poehat vo Franciyu). You can use the national language of the country you are applying to, and Slovenia and Bulgaria allow you to fill out forms in Russian (except for your first and last name).
• DONT LIE! The officers will check all the information from the application form, so anything embellished will guarantee a refusal and a sad process of returning tickets.

International passport (or other travel document)

It must be valid for at least 3 months longer than the proposed visa, and contain at least two free pages (that is, a double-page spread). If your current passport is full, change it before submitting. If you have changed your passport in the past (for any reason), submit the old one as well (even copies of pages are often accepted): visas and travel notes from the past (for the last 5 years) will help create your reputation as an honest, respectable traveler.

By the way, at the same time let’s look at the story when the “old” foreigner expires, but it still has a valid Schengen:

1. We transfer it to a new passport - contact the consulate of the country that issued the visa (but they may refuse, cases are individual)
2. When leaving, keep both passports ready: you may be asked to show both a valid visa in your old passport and a new valid document
3. Just get a new visa for a new passport: yes, it’s expensive and time-consuming, but without incident. For example, Germany allows only this option: no transfers and no delays.

Sample photos

In any photo studio, say: “I need Schengen” - and they will understand you. Often, in the visa centers themselves there are photographers, or even booths with customized parameters (although this can be a bit expensive). The main thing to remember is that the photo should be “fresh” (taken within the last 6 months), against a light background, with open eyes - in a word, there are no surprises here.

Medical insurance

Required for traveling abroad. If, God forbid, the insurance comes in handy, believe me, you will be the most happy.

The minimum payment threshold for Schengen is 30,000 euros. The requirements for the document are simple:

• Cover the entire travel period
• Valid in all Schengen countries
• Cover all potential medical expenses (up to and including repatriation)
• It is better to choose an insurance company from the list of those accredited at the embassy/in Europe (otherwise the issuance period may be delayed due to verification).

By the way, pay attention to the offers of the bank that you often use: they often have accredited insurance services with very favorable offers and easy receipt, you don’t even have to go anywhere.

Your internal (civil passport)

You won’t give it to the visa officer for a long time, but copies - yes: you need to copy all the pages that have marks on them.

Confirmation of accommodation for the duration of the trip

A very desirable item, in some picky countries it is mandatory. Provide a printout of your hotel or hostel reservation, an extract from the rental service, and an invitation from relatives if you plan to stay with them. An invitation is a very attractive thing for a visa, however, your “inviting” relatives will have to have the document certified by the municipality of their city before sending it.

Instead of making reservations (for example, if you haven’t fully decided or are planning a camping trip in Iceland), you can submit a detailed travel plan: where and for how long you are going, at what points you plan to stop and for how long.

An old travel hack: book a hotel with free cancellation, get a visa, and then cancel the reservation without spending any money. The method works, but recently some consulates have begun to close down such a shop - be sure to check whether your reservation can be canceled or whether you need a paid, “reinforced concrete” one.

Documents confirming the route

Similar item to the previous one: hotels along the route, plane/ship/train tickets, car rental receipt, tickets for local events, etc. As a last resort, a detailed written itinerary.

Confirmation of financial capabilities

Foreign countries have different opinions on how much money a foreigner needs to visit their country. The Czech Republic believes that it is enough to meet 1,100 Czech crowns per day per person if you are traveling for up to 30 days (in euro terms), Spain believes that for a person’s trip you need at least 581 euros. Find out this threshold better at the selected center - and add 10-20 percent to it just in case: this is the amount you can count on. How can you prove that you are not a poor parasite?

1. Certificate from place of work indicating salary. True, if a salary of less than 300 euros is indicated there, it is better to add a certificate from the bank - for European citizens your salary will be ridiculous and not indicative.
2. Bank account statement – ​​as “recent” as possible (preferably for the last 3 months). Here, too, they resort to tricks: they borrow money from friends, deposit it into an account, make a statement with a good amount, and return the money. True, sometimes consulates (especially of “harmful” countries) ask you to prove that the money has been in the account for a long time - it’s not a fact that this happened, but we warned you.
3. A sponsorship letter from your relatives/guardians - they say, I have enough money, I’ll pay for this idiot’s trip, honestly
4. Documents on ownership of real estate in Russia
5. Marriage/birth certificates.

To summarize: you must convince visa officers that you are going to travel and will definitely return to Russia, that you are tied to your homeland in every possible way. If there is a suspicion that you are going abroad to seek a better life and European prosperity, you will be refused.

If a child is traveling with you, you need to prepare:

• A copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of the accompanying person's Schengen visa

If a child is traveling with one of the parents, then permission to leave will be required from the other: they say, he will not be kidnapped, I am aware of the trip and do not mind.

Consent to the processing of personal data

The basic form can be downloaded from any website of the diplomatic mission.

Documents for obtaining a tourist visa to Schengen

In general, the following documents must be submitted to the visa center or consulate:

• foreign passport (it must expire no earlier than three and a half months from the date of expiration of the visa);
• two photographs on a light background measuring 35*45 millimeters;
• completed application form;
• photocopy of internal passport;
• a certificate from the place of official work or a certificate of registration as an individual entrepreneur;
• insurance policy;
• proof of financial solvency (a certificate of sufficient salary, bank account statement, credit card will do);
• confirmation of the receiving party (a hotel reservation or voucher, a cruise ship ticket, and so on are suitable for this).

If you have copies of an old foreign passport or previously issued Schengen visas, then you can attach them additionally, provided that the surname is described the same everywhere (if it has changed, then you can additionally add a document about the change for confirmation). The application form can be downloaded from the consulate website. Now, in most cases, it is issued electronically and then submitted to a visa center or consulate (this option in many cases remains the only possible one and at the same time does not allow for discrepancies due to the characteristics of handwriting).

An insurance policy can be issued at any accredited company. Its validity period must exceed the period of validity of the visa (each country has its own requirements, which employees of insurance companies are aware of), the minimum amount of coverage is 30,000 euros, and the validity area covers all Schengen countries. You can also increase the maximum size of the coverings and add several options, which may be relevant for those who plan to engage in active recreation, or participate, for example, in sports competitions. In this case, the absence of a special option does not give the right to compensation for medical care expenses, which is fraught with serious costs, given the cost of services in EU countries.

Apply for an insurance policy online

A separate point remains the confirmation of the receiving party. If you are going on a tour purchased from an agency, then the latter will provide the necessary documents or even handle the visa application for you, saving time. Otherwise, it is advisable to attach an electronic copy of the hotel reservation, a fax from the hotel where you booked the room. If you plan to travel by public transport rather than by car, you must provide return tickets. The purpose of your trip can be confirmed, for example, by a ticket to the concert you are going to, or a certificate for participation in a sports competition (usually in this case you can only count on a single-entry visa, which will cover the dates of the event with a margin of several days).

Where should I take the documents?

Now let’s talk about where to take the carefully collected daddy.

Visa Center

Embassies of countries always indicate on their websites where their accredited Schengen visa centers are located. It’s easy to sign up for these centers, consultants will help with the registration, you can take biometrics - but it will be a little more expensive (after all, this is an intermediary). Your documents will definitely “roll” from the center to the consulate and back (allow time for this when processing!), There is a possibility that you may be called directly to the consulate for an interview.

Consulate

Slightly cheaper: money is saved due to the absence of intermediaries and shipping. But you need to sign up well in advance, and the appointment windows close incredibly quickly. Weekends here are considered not only Russian ones, but also national ones (holidays of a foreign country), so keep an eye on the information on the website.

Embassy

Does not deal with visas too often: this is mainly typical for small countries that combine an embassy and a consulate (for example, Iceland or Malta). Sometimes only a series of intermediaries work and documents are not accepted directly.

Schengen visa cost

Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations: good old France, Germany, the Czech Republic and many other countries have something to see at any time of the year. People enjoy traveling to these regions on business, to study, and to meet relatives. That is why many are interested in the cost of obtaining a visa that gives the opportunity to visit the Schengen territories.

Who is eligible for a free visa?

There are several categories of citizens who can receive the document absolutely free:

• children under 12 years of age;
• students under 25 years of age traveling abroad to obtain education or undergo an internship;
• holders of service passports;
• diplomats and people traveling abroad as part of an official delegation;
• individuals participating in official exchange programs;
• immediate relatives (fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, children, spouses) of people permanently residing in the Eurozone;
• people with disabilities or urgently referred for treatment, and persons accompanying them;
• people invited to the funeral;
• employees of the constitutional or supreme court.

Similar benefits are sometimes provided to clients of visa centers, although the selection there is more strict: for example, a free visa can only be provided to a disabled person or a child under 6 years old.

Visa costs for others: short trips

And yet, let’s talk about “paid” categories of citizens. For ordinary tourists who need the opportunity to visit the country once for a short period of time (up to 30 days), the cost of a visa to Europe is 35 €. True, to get such a cheap document, a traveler needs:

• register at the embassy in advance;
• Having arrived on the appointed day, wait for your turn (this may take several hours);
• personally negotiate with immigration officers.

It’s more expensive, but much more effective, to contact a travel agency. By paying at least 53 € (the cost of a visa, that is, the same 35 € plus a document processing fee), you will get rid of the need to knock on the threshold of authorities. And if you need to make a foreign pass urgently, pay 70 € - and the stamp will appear in your passport in three days.

The rules described above apply to all citizens of the Russian Federation. However, if you are not one, but permanently reside in Russia and intend to apply for a visa in this country, you will need to pay 60 € in the most economical scenario.

Fee for working with documents

Many countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement determine for themselves how much a tourist visa costs along with a processing fee. As mentioned above, the fixed fee is 35 €, but how much you will have to add for working with documents to travel to a particular country can be found in the table.

For avid travelers

Are you packing your bags and planning to spend more than 30 days in Europe, or even stay there for one or two seasons? Then you are probably interested in the cost of a multiple visa. As you know, this document, which gives a person the right to stay on the territory of a Schengen country for up to 90 days within six months, and in some cases longer, is easiest to issue through an experienced intermediary.

The cost of such a pass depends on the country where you intend to stay, as well as on the number of “allowed” years. So, a multi-visa for six months will cost about 500 €, and a five-year visa will cost 3,500 €. This is called a “visa with guarantee”, is issued through an intermediary and is quite expensive. However, an applicant with a good visa history may independently apply for a visa for a year or more, paying the standard consular fee and, if necessary, a service fee.

Indirect expenses

The cost of a visa in itself is not such a big expense, but you should also take into account the money that will be required to purchase insurance: after all, without a policy issued in accordance with all the rules, you will not be allowed into Europe. No matter how hard you try to save money, you are unlikely to be able to get insurance for less than 12 € based on 14 days of stay abroad.

“Allow your fingers”: submission of biometric data

A relative innovation, your fingerprints and digital photograph are now updated in databases every 5 years and used to issue documents during that period. You can take biometrics at visa centers, the consulate or mobile (but the price is steep - from 150 euros). Be careful: each country may accept biometrics in the chosen way, which is not always convenient for you.

Schengen without incident: in which country to receive

We talked about the fact that there are countries that are more harmful and picky, and there are countries that are hospitable and loyal. Who do we include in the second category?

Spain

Very friendly guys (and you can visit them all year round: in the summer to the beaches, in the winter for football, all year round - for walks around Barcelona).

Italy

By the way, you can use it to travel to the Vatican (remember about the “dark horse”?), and throughout Europe in general: open the Italian Schengen, and then go to TommorowLand, or to the Venice Carnival.

Greece

The country has been in crisis lately, but tourists were loved even in more respectable times - so apply boldly, they will let you in with pleasure. However, keep in mind that during the high tourist season the queue can be quite long.

In principle, the choice of country does not matter for a respectable traveler who has stamps about crossing borders and has no data on breaking the law - neither here nor abroad.

What documents are needed to obtain a visa?

It should be borne in mind that different Schengen countries have their own requirements regarding the documents presented. However, there is a standard set of documents that must be prepared regardless of which country you intend to open a window to Europe through. This:

• International passport - it should not expire in the next three months and it must have at least 2 blank pages;
• Copies of expired foreign passports. Since the old passport is confiscated when it is replaced, the tourist may not have copies. This is not scary, since copies of the old passport are not mandatory and embassy employees still have access to the applicant’s visa history;
• Copies of national passport. It is required to photocopy pages with personal information (spread) and registration.
• Color photos taken in accordance with the requirements (you can download the list of requirements here);
• A certificate from work, which will indicate such details as position, length of service, salary, company name, etc. The certificate will also be useful for filling out the application form. A sample certificate of employment can be downloaded in Russian and English;
• Statements and certificates from the bank about the account status();
• Medical insurance. The minimum amount of coverage for Schengen registration is 30,000 euros.
• Sponsorship letters, if we are talking about pensioners, students, the unemployed and other socially vulnerable categories (download a sample here, in English - here).
• Hotel reservation or other confirmation of accommodation for the period of the trip.
• Return tickets.
• 35 euros for consular fee.

For an interview at a representative office of a particular country, you need to come with documents and a completed application form (here, sample here).