European travel to get more expensive as Schengen visa fees hiked by 12%

Europe travel now requires higher visa application fees as the European Commission has hiked the Schengen Visa fees by 12% today. A Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen area, a zone of 29 European countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, among others, that have abolished passport and other types of border controls at their mutual borders. The Schengen Visa is usually issued for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business or family visits. The different types of Schengen visas include the Uniform Schengen Visa for short stays, the Airport Transit Visa, for passing through Schengen airports without entering the Schengen area, and the National Visa for stays longer than 90 days, according to a Firstpost article.