(1)

In accordance with Article 16(9) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, the Commission has assessed the need to revise the amounts of the visa fees laid down in that Regulation, taking into account objective criteria.

(2)

In its assessment, the Commission has analysed developments in the general Union-wide inflation rate and the weighted average of the salaries of Member States’ civil servants between 1 July 2020 and 1 July 2023. It has concluded that there is a need to increase the amount of the visa fees by 12,5 %.

(3)

Given that Denmark decided to implement Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 which builds on the Schengen acquis in its national law, in accordance with Article 4 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is bound under international law to implement this Regulation.

(4)

This Regulation constitutes a development in the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (2). Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(5)

As regards Iceland and Norway, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latters’ association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (3), which fall under the area referred to in Article 1, point B of Council Decision 1999/437/EC (4).

(6)

As regards Switzerland, this regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (5), which fall under the area referred to in Article 1, point B of Decision 1999/437/EC, read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC (6).

(7)

As regards Liechtenstein, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (7), which fall under the area referred to in Article 1, point B of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2011/350/EU (8).

(8)

As regards Cyprus, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise relating to, the Schengen acquis, within the meaning of Article 3(2) of the 2003 Act of Accession.

(9)

As regards Bulgaria and Romania, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise relating to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 4(2) of the 2005 Act of Accession.

(10)

Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly,

‘1.

Applicants shall pay a visa fee of EUR 90.

2.

Children from the age of six years and below the age of 12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 45.

2a.

A visa fee of EUR 135 or EUR 180 shall apply if an implementing decision is adopted by the Council under Article 25a(5), point (b). This provision shall not apply to children below the age of 12 years.’.