Understanding Schengen Visa Fees | Comprehensive Guide 2025

Schengen area, visa obligations & Schengen visa types

If you are traveling to Germany from a country where a visa is required, you will need a Schengen visa, valid for the entire Schengen area.

The Schengen area

The Schengen area consists of 29 states, including all EU countries (except Ireland and Cyprus) and the non-EU states Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

There are normally no border controls between the Schengen states. Travelers are only checked at the external borders of the Schengen area.

Visa obligations for the Schengen area

• Citizens of the European Union and the other Schengen states have complete freedom of travel within the entire Schengen area without any formalities.
• Foreign nationals from third countries with a valid residence permit from a Schengen country also generally do not require a visa to travel within the Schengen area or to stay in another Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days.
• For stays of up to 90 days, travelers from 60 countries do not need a visa. However, as soon as ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) comes into force, they will need a digital European travel authorization to enter Germany and other Schengen countries.
• Citizens of all other countries require a valid visa to enter the Schengen area and, consequently, to enter Germany.

Schengen visa types

The type of German Schengen visa depends on the purpose of the trip and the planned stay:

• Airport transit visas (A visa) authorize travelers to pass through a German airport’s transit area without entering the Schengen area.
• Visas for short-term stays (C visas) are valid for up to 90 days within 180 days. You can get a C visa for tourist, family, study, or business trips.
• National visas (D visas) entitle the holder to stay for more than 90 days and require a national residence permit after this period has expired. These can be, for example, student visas, work visas, or visas for family reunification.

The Schengen visa code regulates the conditions for A visas and C visas.

National visas are subject to the national residence regulations of the individual Schengen states.

German Schengen visa fees

The following visa fees apply for A visas and C visas (airport transit visas and short stays):

• Adults and minors aged 12 years and over: €90
• Children aged between 6 and 12 years: €45
• Children aged under 6 years: no fee

National Visa (D visa) costs €75 for adults. Minors pay a reduced fee of €37.50 regardless of their age.

Visa fee waivers and reductions

Not all travelers requiring a visa are charged a visa fee. Visa fee exemptions are granted for various reasons. Some apply throughout the Schengen Area, while others apply specifically to applications for a German Schengen visa.

Schengen-wide visa fee waivers

The following groups are exempt from visa fees in all Schengen states, regardless of their nationality:

• Children under 6 years of age
• Pupils, students, participants in postgraduate courses, and accompanying teachers who travel to the Schengen area for study purposes as part of organized educational events
• Representatives of non-profit organizations for participation in sporting, cultural or educational events organized by similar organizations (up to the age of 2 of the visa applicant)
• Researchers planning a stay in the Schengen area for research purposes or to participate in scientific conferences and seminars
• Travelers with valid visas in a passport without any empty pages. The visa will be transferred to the new travel document.

General German visa fee waivers

The German authorities generally do not charge visa fees for spouses, same-sex partners in a civil union, and minor unmarried children of German citizens. The same applies to these family members of citizens of the EU and other Schengen states. Furthermore, parents of minor German citizens do not pay visa fees.

In addition, Germany has concluded visa facilitation agreements with some states that allow certain groups of people to enter the country without a visa. Depending on the agreement, the exemption from visa fees may apply, for example, to children over 6 years of age, students, or members of official delegations.

Issuance of national visas free of charge

Visa fees can also be waived for national visas. The following are eligible for a German national visa free of charge:

• Employees of diplomatic missions, consular posts, and international organizations present in Germany do not have to pay visa fees. Their spouses, registered partners, and children up to 25 years of age also do not have to pay visa fees.
• Visitors with a scholarship from public funds (for example, from the German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD) are exempt from visa fees. Spouses, registered partners, and minor children are also exempt from visa fees if they are included in the funding.
• Exhibitors at German trade fairs who have an official trade fair pass.
• Citizens of countries where Germany has committed itself in bilateral or multilateral agreements to waive visa fees for national visas. Contractually agreed conditions may apply to the exemption from fees.

Fee reductions for citizens of certain countries

Certain countries’ citizens pay a reduced fee of €35 for Schengen visas in categories A and C. The decisive factor is that they hold a passport from one of these countries; their permanent residence does not play a role. This regulation applies to Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

The regular fees apply for national visas, provided that no deviating bilateral agreements on visa fees exist between Germany and these countries.

Further reductions and exemptions from visa fees for Germany

In addition, German missions abroad may check whether reductions or exemptions from visa fees are possible in individual cases. Reasons for this are, for example:

• Travel that serves a vital public interest – for example, in the context of foreign policy development or development policy cooperation
• Travel to promote cultural and sporting interests
• Humanitarian reasons

Conclusion

Understanding the visa fees and exemptions for Germany and the Schengen area is essential for planning your travel efficiently. The standardized fees for Schengen visas and the flexibility of reductions and exemptions for certain groups ensure that the system accommodates diverse needs. From children and students to researchers and individuals traveling for humanitarian or public-interest purposes, the fee structure balances administrative costs and accessibility. For the best outcome, applicants should ensure their documentation is complete and up to date and consult the responsible German mission for specific guidance related to their situation.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ