The visa fee increase is a consequence of the entry into force of the regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of May 21, 2024 amending the regulation on consular fees (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 774).

The Schengen (C-type) visa application fee as well as the fee for reconsideration of an application for a Schengen visa remains unchanged for now.

The visa fee increase should contribute to expanding availability of slots for foreigners applying for the national Polish visa for the first time. The new national visa fee is also associated with a highly possible Schengen visa fee increase in 2024 (from EUR 80 to EUR 90); current considerations among Schengen States were induced by growing costs of administrative services in the visa processing.

Poland has been experiencing consistent raise of the migration pressure; therefore it is of great importance that foreigners entering the territory of the Republic of Poland fulfill the declared purpose of stay. The new national visa fee is expected to result in decreased number of applicants whose actual purpose of stay in Poland differs from the declared one. The distinction in the Schengen and national visa fees is justified by a wider range of privileges associated with the national visa (a longer period of stay with the simultaneous possibility of traveling within the Schengen area).