Schengen Visa Gets Costlier for Indian Travellers as VFS Global Hikes Service Charges

Indian travellers planning trips to Europe will now face higher visa processing costs as VFS Global, the agency responsible for handling Schengen visa applications, has increased its service charges.
This marks the first fee hike since 2023 and comes amid growing demand for Europe-bound travel during the summer and year-end holiday seasons.

Higher Fees Across Multiple Countries

The updated VFS service charges vary depending on the destination country. While the Schengen visa itself continues to cost roughly ?8,000–?10,000 for adults, VFS levies additional mandatory service fees as follows:
    •    Germany: ?1,933
    •    Switzerland: ?2,690
    •    Portugal: ?3,111
    •    France: ?2,234
    •    Austria: ?2,274
Optional services, including courier delivery, SMS updates, and premium lounge access, come at extra cost. For instance, Switzerland visa applicants can opt for:
    •    Courier Service: ?930
    •    SMS Service: ?450
    •    Premium Lounge: ?4,600 (excluding select cities)
    •    Combo Service (SMS + Courier): ?1,250

VFS Global’s Clarification

Responding to queries, VFS Global confirmed that Switzerland’s visa service fee rose in July 2025 under new contractual obligations. The agency stated:
“All fees levied on visa applicants are duly approved by the respective client government. Service fees depend on engagement scope, expected application volumes, infrastructure costs, and security measures.”
The agency emphasized that fees differ by country and that all charges are transparently available on official websites, with receipts issued for every transaction.

Mandatory VFS Submission & Currency Impact

Since most embassies no longer accept direct walk-in visa applications, travellers must go through VFS Global, making the service charges unavoidable.
Adding to the burden, the Indian rupee’s depreciation against the euro has worsened costs. The euro rose from ?72.12 in 2015 to ?100+ in June 2025, making European travel significantly pricier for Indians.

Schengen Visa Basic

The Schengen visa allows travellers to visit 29 European countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Applicants must provide travel plans, insurance proof, and financial documents while applying.

Source: ET Online