Delegates from all 27 member states met in Brussels on Monday, 14 September, for the latest session of the Council’s Visa Working Party, with one agenda item looming large for Spain: a Commission discussion paper that floats increasing Schengen short-stay visa fees for the first time since 2020. According to diplomatic sources, the paper proposes raising the basic fee from €80 to €100 to offset inflation and fund IT upgrades such as the long-delayed EU Visa Platform. Spain’s Interior and Foreign Affairs ministries signalled openness in principle but warned that higher prices could dampen demand from Latin-American markets where the euro is already strong and where Spanish consulates process high volumes of Category C visas for cruise crews and seasonal staff. Consular managers say a hike could also accelerate a shift toward the future European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for visa-exempt travellers—potentially reducing revenue streams while leaving administrative burdens intact. Tour operators in Andalusia and Catalonia fear the price rise may deter long-haul tourists just as the sector recovers from sluggish summer Asian arrivals. The Working Party also reviewed progress on revamped visa-waiver benchmarks and heard a status update on the interoperability of biometric systems. Minutes will feed into the Justice and Home Affairs Council in December, where Spain will decide its final stance. Corporate mobility teams should monitor the outcome: higher visa costs could affect assignee budgets and the attractiveness of Spain as an entry point to the Schengen Area for third-country national employees.
