TL;DR
A child needs their own Schengen visa application, signed by a parent or guardian. The fee is €45 for ages 6–11 and free under 6 (the full €90 applies from age 12). The two documents that trip families up are the birth certificate and a parental consent letter when a child travels with one parent or alone. The fixed facts:
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Visa fee (child 6–12) | €45 |
| Visa fee (child under 6) | Free |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any rolling 180-day period |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45 in some cases) |
| Travel insurance — minimum cover | €30,000 |
| Passport | Issued within 10 years; valid 3+ months beyond your trip |
| Member states | 29 countries |
How much is a Schengen visa for a child?
The visa fee is age-based on the date of application:
| Child's age | Type C visa fee |
|---|---|
| Under 6 | Free |
| 6 to 11 | €45 |
| 12 and over | €90 (adult fee) |
A visa centre service charge still applies at every age, so a "free" visa is never quite zero. Age is taken at the date you apply, not the travel date — a child who turns 12 before the appointment pays the full fee.
Does a child need their own application?
Yes — every minor needs a separate application form and document set, even an infant who travels on a parent's passport. The form is filled in and signed by a parent or legal guardian on the child's behalf. You book an appointment slot for each child as well as each adult.
The documents a minor needs
| Category | Documents for the child |
|---|---|
| Identity | Child's own valid passport (or entry on a parent's, where allowed); passport photo to spec |
| Application | Form completed and signed by a parent/guardian |
| Proof of relationship | Birth certificate naming the parents (translated if not in English) |
| Consent | Signed consent letter from the non-travelling parent(s) + their passport copies |
| UK residence | Child's BRP/eVisa, or dependant status linked to a parent |
| Accompanying adult | Copy of the travelling parent's passport, visa and booking |
| School | Letter confirming enrolment and term dates (shows return to the UK) |
| Insurance | Travel insurance, whole area, €30,000+, naming the child |
What is the parental consent letter?
This is the document consulates scrutinise most, because it guards against child abduction. When a child travels:
- With one parent → a signed consent letter from the other parent.
- Alone or with another adult (grandparent, school group, family friend) → a consent letter from both parents.
Each consent letter should name the child, the dates and destination, the accompanying adult, and be signed with a copy of the consenting parent's passport attached. If one parent has sole parental responsibility or the other has died, include the court order or death certificate instead.
Proving the accompanying adult's status
The consulate wants to see the adult the child travels with is themselves a settled UK resident who will return. Include a copy of that adult's passport, UK residence proof (BRP/eVisa), visa if they already hold one, and their booking. Where a parent and child apply together, the parent's job and tenancy evidence does double duty as the child's UK ties.
How a child shows ties to the UK
A minor can't show a job or a mortgage, so their ties run through the family:
- A school letter confirming enrolment and the term dates they'll return for
- The parents' UK status, employment and tenancy/property
- The fact the whole family returns to the UK together
Weak ties are the leading refusal reason for Schengen visas from the UK — see Schengen visa refused from the UK.
Put the family file together cleanly
Assemble each person's documents as a separate, ordered bundle:
- Checklist generator — a tailored list per applicant
- Bundler — merge each child's documents into one ordered PDF
- Compressor — fit the visa centre's upload limit
For the full document picture see the Schengen documents checklist and choose where to apply with which country should I apply to. For the overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub, or have a human check the family application with our done-for-you service.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How much is a Schengen visa for a child from the UK?
The Type C fee is €45 for children aged 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. From their 12th birthday the full €90 adult fee applies. A visa centre service charge is added on top regardless of age.
- 02
Does a child need their own Schengen visa application?
Yes. Every minor needs their own application form and supporting documents, even a newborn travelling on a parent's passport. The form is completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian on the child's behalf.
- 03
What if my child travels with only one parent or alone?
You'll need a signed consent letter from the absent parent (or both parents if the child travels alone or with another adult), plus passport copies of the consenting parents and proof of parental responsibility such as a birth certificate. This guards against child abduction and is checked closely.
- 04
Do children need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Like adults, a minor needs travel insurance covering the whole Schengen area for the full trip with at least €30,000 in medical and repatriation cover. Many family policies cover children for free, but the certificate must name the child.
- 05
Do children need to show ties to the UK?
A child's ties are shown through the family — a school letter confirming enrolment and term dates, the parents' UK status and employment, and the parents' own travel plans. The case is that the whole family will return to the UK together.
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