The standard Schengen visa fee is €90 from age 12, €45 for children aged 6–11, and €0 for children under six. UAE applicants pay the consulate’s AED equivalent plus any centre service fee. Published adult totals in the examples below are AED 461 for Spain, AED 486.33 for the Netherlands and AED 507.58 for Switzerland, before extras.
Fee pages checked on 30 October 2026. These are published fee snapshots, not fixed quotes. Confirm the current AED amount and any age or nationality exemption at booking. The European Commission’s fee guide sets out the standard euro charges.
How much is a Schengen visa fee from the UAE?
| Applicant | Visa fee (EU rule) | Typical amount in the UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant aged 12 or over | €90 | AED 385–395 |
| Child, 6 to 11 | €45 | AED 190–200 |
| Child under 6 | Free | AED 0 |
| Qualifying family member under EU free-movement rules | Visa-fee exemption | AED 0 visa fee; check eligibility and service charges |
| Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan or Belarus covered by the reduced fee | €35 | Check the relevant consulate’s AED rate |
| Applicants from Cabo Verde covered by the reduced fee | €67.50 | Check the relevant consulate’s AED rate |
The standard short-stay visa fee is the same across Schengen countries and has been €90 since 11 June 2024. The AED conversion, service charges and exemptions can differ. This guide covers short-stay applications, not national work, study or residence visas.
Schengen visa cost by country from Dubai and Abu Dhabi
These are standard applicant fees published by selected consulates and authorised centres. The adult total is the visa fee plus the mandatory service fee shown; it excludes insurance, transport and optional services.
| Country | Where you apply | Visa fee, adult | Child 6–11 | Service fee | Adult total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | BLS International, Dubai or Abu Dhabi | AED 388 | AED 194 | AED 73 (incl. VAT) | AED 461 |
| Netherlands | VFS Global, Dubai or Abu Dhabi | AED 385 | AED 190 | AED 101.33 (incl. VAT) | AED 486.33 |
| Switzerland | VFS Global | AED 395 | AED 200 | AED 112.58 | AED 507.58 |
| Poland | Embassy of Poland, Abu Dhabi (no centre) | AED 388 | AED 194 | None | AED 388 |
| France | VFS Global, Abu Dhabi | €90 in AED at the embassy’s rate | €45 in AED | AED equivalent of €30.33, paid online when booking | €120.33 equivalent in AED at the applicable official rate |
| Germany | VFS Global, Dubai or Abu Dhabi | €90 in AED at the consulate’s rate | €45 in AED | VFS service fee | Check the VFS Germany page |
Apply to the country responsible for your actual trip. This is usually the main destination by purpose or length of stay. For an ordinary multi-country holiday with equal stays and no other main destination, use the first Schengen country entered. A cheaper fee does not make a different consulate competent to accept your application. Read which Schengen country to apply to from the UAE.
How to work out your total cost
- Identify your main destination by the purpose and length of the visit; for a straightforward holiday, compare the nights in each country.
- Open that consulate’s or centre’s fee page for the UAE and note the visa fee in AED for each traveller by age.
- Check the service fee for each applicant. A visa-fee exemption does not automatically waive the centre fee. Confirm the under-six and family-member rules with your particular provider.
- Add only the extras you really need, such as courier return.
- Add the costs outside the centre: travel insurance, photos, translations and bank statement stamping.
Example: Spain visa cost for two parents and children aged 8 and 14
| Traveller | Visa fee | BLS service fee | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | AED 388 | AED 73 | AED 461 |
| Parent | AED 388 | AED 73 | AED 461 |
| Child, age 8 | AED 194 | AED 73 | AED 267 |
| Child, age 14 | AED 388 | AED 73 | AED 461 |
| Total | AED 1,650 |
Calculation: AED 461 + AED 461 + AED 267 + AED 461 = AED 1,650. This assumes standard-fee applicants with no other exemption, using the BLS Spain published tariff. Insurance and optional services cost extra. For a child under six, the visa fee is zero; confirm whether a service charge applies before budgeting.
Who pays less, or nothing
Depending on the purpose of travel and evidence provided, the following categories can qualify for a visa-fee waiver:
- Children under 6.
- School pupils, students, postgraduates and accompanying teachers travelling for study or educational training.
- Qualifying researchers travelling for scientific research.
- Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under attending seminars, conferences, or sports, cultural or educational events.
- Qualifying family members of EU/EEA citizens accompanying or joining them under free-movement rules. Being married to an EU citizen does not by itself establish the exemption for every trip.
Reduced fees by nationality. The European Commission lists €35 for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, and €67.50 for Cabo Verde. Check whether your passport already allows visa-free travel before paying for an application. UAE residence alone does not create a fee discount. Provider tables can lag behind legal changes: the EU removed The Gambia’s increased fee in April 2024, so do not treat an old special tariff as current.
For an EU-family application, the free-movement route generally concerns accompanying or joining the EU citizen in another EU country. A visit to that citizen’s own country can instead fall under national rules; Switzerland also has specific arrangements. Check the EU family-travel guidance and the destination’s checklist. Other discretionary waivers should be confirmed before applying.
Optional services and what they cost you
| Extra | What you get | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Courier return | Your passport is delivered to your home or office | Often, especially from Al Ain or the Northern Emirates |
| Premium lounge | Quieter waiting area and a dedicated counter | Comfort only |
| Prime time slot | An appointment outside normal hours | Only if you can’t take time off |
| SMS updates | Status texts | No. Online tracking is free. |
| Visa at Your Doorstep | Staff take your application at home | Expensive; for families or people with limited mobility |
| Form filling, photos, photocopies | Help at the centre | Prepare these at home instead |
None of these extras affects the decision or makes the embassy process faster.
Other costs to budget for
- Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover, valid in all Schengen states. See Schengen travel insurance from the UAE.
- Bank statement stamping, if your bank charges for it. See UAE bank statements for visas.
- Translations of Arabic-only documents, if the consulate asks for them.
- Visa photos to Schengen specifications.
How to pay, and refunds
- Currency: check the official UAE tariff. France states its service charge in euros but collects the local-currency equivalent online at the official exchange rate.
- Method: cash or card at most centres. Check your centre’s page before you go.
- Refusal: a refused application does not normally entitle you to a visa-fee or service-fee refund. For cancellation, withdrawal or a file that was not accepted, check the specific consulate and provider rules.
- Appeals: fees and procedures vary by country. Do not assume an appeal is free; follow the refusal letter and the consulate’s instructions.
Questions people ask
How much is a Schengen visa from Dubai in dirhams?
For a standard applicant aged 12 or over, the government fee is €90 converted to AED. Examples checked on 30 October 2026 total AED 461 for Spain, AED 486.33 for the Netherlands and AED 507.58 for Switzerland, including the listed service fee but excluding insurance and extras.
Which Schengen country is cheapest to apply to from the UAE?
Among the routes compared here, Poland takes applications directly at its embassy and publishes an adult fee of AED 388 without a visa-centre charge. This is not a ranking of every Schengen country. You must apply to the country responsible for your trip, regardless of price.
Is the Schengen visa fee refundable if I’m refused?
No. Both the visa fee and the service fee are non-refundable.
Do children pay for a Schengen visa?
Children aged 6 to 11 pay €45 (about AED 190–200). Children under 6 pay no visa fee, but the centre may still charge its service fee.
Does my UAE residence reduce the fee?
No. A UAE residence permit does not itself reduce the Schengen visa fee. Age, nationality, family status and qualifying travel purpose can affect the amount. Check the current fee and exemption rules for your application.
Is the multiple-entry Schengen visa more expensive?
No. The standard short-stay application fee is €90 from age 12 whether you request single or multiple entry, subject to exemptions. A longer-validity visa does not have a higher standard application fee; the consulate decides the validity and permitted entries.
Related guides
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
- Schengen visa document checklist for UAE residents
- Schengen visa appointment in Dubai
- Bank balance for a Schengen visa from the UAE
Sources
- BLS International: Spain short-term tourism visa, UAE fees: uae.blsspainvisa.com
- VFS Global: Netherlands visa information for the UAE: visa.vfsglobal.com
- VFS Global: Switzerland visa from the UAE: visa.vfsglobal.com
- Embassy of Poland in Abu Dhabi: C-type Schengen visa: gov.pl
- France-Visas: United Arab Emirates: france-visas.gouv.fr
- European Commission: Schengen application fees and exemptions; Your Europe: non-EU family-member travel.
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications or sell visa services. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 30 October 2026. Dirham amounts follow exchange rates and can change without notice. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.