Accepted payment methods for Schengen visa fees at application centers

[aisha_read]

Hello everyone. I am in the process of gathering my documents for a Schengen visa application and I am a bit unclear about the payment process for the visa fee. I have seen conflicting information online regarding whether to pay in cash or by card at the appointment. Does anyone know if credit cards are generally accepted at the visa application centers now, or is it strictly cash? If cash is required, should it be in Euros or the local currency? I want to make sure I am fully prepared and do not run into issues.

[ayse_travel]

Hello! From my experience traveling with student groups, I have found that it really varies by the location and the specific country you are applying to. Many application centers like VFS or TLS Contact accept cards these days, but I always suggest carrying enough cash in local currency just to be safe. It is much better to be over-prepared than to face a technical glitch with the card machine. Good luck with your application!

[mohamed_tech]

To add to the previous point, if you are applying through a third-party service provider, they sometimes allow you to pay online when you book the slot. However, if you must pay on-site and choose to use cash, I recommend having the exact amount. Some of these centers are quite strict and do not always have change available. I advise reviewing the specific FAQ section of the embassy website for your region to be certain.

[Meliza]

@aisha_read

Hello everyone. I am in the process of gathering my documents for a Schengen visa application and I am a bit unclear about the payment process for the visa fee. I have seen conflicting information online regarding whether to pay in cash or by card at the appointment. Does anyone know if credit cards are generally accepted at the visa application centers now, or is it strictly cash? If cash is required, should it be in Euros or the local currency? I want to make sure I am fully prepared and do not run into issues.

Short answer: it depends on the visa center, but here’s the safe, practical guidance.

Most VFS/TLS centers now accept cards (debit/credit), but not all — and card machines do go down. Some smaller locations still prefer or require cash.

If paying cash, it’s almost always in local currency, not euros. Even though the fee is set in EUR, they convert it to the local amount on the day.

My advice (from handling lots of applications):

• Bring a card + enough local cash as backup

• Check the specific VFS/TLS website for your country the day before — payment rules vary by location, not by embassy

Being over-prepared here saves a lot of stress at the counter.

[Professor_AC]

@aisha_read

Hello everyone. I am in the process of gathering my documents for a Schengen visa application and I am a bit unclear about the payment process for the visa fee. I have seen conflicting information online regarding whether to pay in cash or by card at the appointment. Does anyone know if credit cards are generally accepted at the visa application centers now, or is it strictly cash? If cash is required, should it be in Euros or the local currency? I want to make sure I am fully prepared and do not run into issues.

@aisha_read

Please carry cash for the Schengen visa fee.The currency depends on the country where you are applying.Card payments may sometimes be accepted, but cash is recommended to avoid any issues.