Schengen Visa: Brussels Considers Additional Fees for 620,000 Moroccan Applications

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a review of Schengen visa rules, in a move that could directly affect hundreds of thousands of Moroccans wishing to travel to European space. The consultation, which began on September 8 and will continue until October 6, comes as Morocco ranks fifth in the world in terms of the number of Schengen visa applications, after registering about 620,000 applications in 2025 alone. What is Brussels studying? The upcoming review is structured around four main themes. The first is the possibility of imposing a contribution Consolidated funds added to the current visa fee of €90 for adults, the amount of which has not yet been deducted. The second is to make it easier to obtain multiple-entry visas for “reliable travelers” with a previous record of travel to European space, by extending their validity period. The third axis is to speed up the dates and visa procedures for employees of "trusted companies", by reducing the documents required of them. The fourth axis links the visa policy and the files of cooperation in the field of migration, by integrating the criteria of It is related to irregular migration and the fight against human smuggling as part of Brussels' assessment of its relationship with neighboring countries, including Morocco. No immediate change in procedures The European Commission confirms that the route is still in the “consultation phase”, and that any concrete amendment to the existing visa application procedures is out of the question before the end of the public consultation. According to the announced schedule, the Commission is expected to submit its formal legislative proposal during the first quarter of 2027, after which it will pass through a long European legislative path before entering into force. implementation. What does this mean for Moroccans? In practice, this means that Schengen visa applicants will see no change in fees or required documentation over the coming months. In the medium term, however, new or infrequent travellers may find themselves facing a potential surcharge, while holders of a good travel record may benefit from real facilities such as extending visa validity and reducing the number of required visits to consulates. Moroccan companies working with Europe may also benefit from a faster route for their employees. In contrast, it remains The file is linked to the progress of Morocco and other countries in security and migration cooperation with the European Union, which may affect the pace or conditions of the application of these facilities in the future.