Switzerland’s visa costs are set centrally by two pieces of law — the EU/Schengen Visa Code for short-stay visas, and Switzerland’s own Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (RS 142.209) for national (type D) visas — but each Swiss embassy or consulate publishes its own price list in local currency. Below are the actual figures from a 2026 Swiss embassy fee schedule, plus what else you’ll pay beyond the headline visa fee.
Visa fees (2026, as published by a Swiss embassy)
These are the core consular visa fees, shown in both CHF and EUR as listed on an official Swiss representation’s “Counter services / Price list,” valid from 1 April 2026 (Swiss Embassy in Germany — fee schedule PDF):
| Service | CHF | EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa — adult | 82.00 | 90.00 |
| Visa — child (6–12 years) | 41.00 | 45.00 |
| Visa under a visa-facilitation agreement (VFA) | 32.00 | 35.00 |
| Visa — adult, under Art. 25a (special cases) | 123.00 | 135.00 |
| Appeal against a visa refusal | 200.00 | 220.00 |
The standard EUR 90 adult fee matches the general Schengen short-stay visa fee set across the Schengen area, which Switzerland applies as a Schengen member state; Switzerland’s own national-visa fee ordinance is cited as the legal basis alongside it, so expect this same figure to apply whether you’re applying for a short Schengen (type C) visa or the national (type D) entry visa that precedes a work or study permit. Children under 6 are typically exempt, and the embassy explicitly reserves the right to adjust the converted local-currency amount for exchange-rate movements — so always confirm the exact figure with the specific embassy or consulate handling your file before paying.
What the visa fee does not include
The consular visa fee is only one line item in the real cost of relocating to Switzerland. Budget separately for:
- Residence permit fees (cantonal). Once you arrive and register, your canton issues the actual L, B, or C residence permit — see our guide to Swiss permit types. These fees are set and collected by each canton, not by the embassy, and are not part of the consular visa fee above.
- Document authentication and certification. The same embassy schedule lists CHF 40.00 (EUR 44.00) per document for authentication or certification — relevant if your degree, marriage certificate, or other civil documents need Swiss consular legalisation.
- VFS Global or outsourced application-centre service fees, charged in many countries on top of the consular fee for handling biometrics and document submission — these are set by the service provider, not Switzerland, and vary by country.
- Translation costs for any documents not already in German, French, Italian, or English.
- Travel/medical insurance, required for Schengen short-stay visas and strongly advisable regardless of visa type.
Naturalisation and other related consular fees
If you’re further down the Swiss immigration path, the same fee schedule lists:
- Naturalisation (adult): CHF 600.00 / EUR 660.00, payable to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
- Naturalisation (minor): CHF 350.00 / EUR 385.00.
These are separate from, and much larger than, the entry-visa fee, and only apply once you’ve accumulated the required years of residence.
Why the fee is non-refundable
Swiss consular fee schedules are explicit: “the fee for the visa is due at the time the application is submitted and is not refundable” if you withdraw the application or it’s rejected. This is standard across Schengen states, not unique to Switzerland — it’s a reason to make sure your supporting documents are complete before you submit, rather than a reason to delay applying. VisaMet’s AI-assisted document screening (join the waitlist) is built around catching exactly these gaps before you pay a non-refundable fee.
FAQ
Is the Swiss visa fee refundable if my application is refused? No. Swiss embassy fee schedules state the fee is due at the time of submission and is not refundable if you withdraw the application or it is rejected. Budget for this as a sunk cost of applying, not a deposit.
Does the visa fee include my residence permit (L, B, or C) once I arrive? No. The consular visa fee only covers the entry visa that lets you travel to Switzerland and collect your permit. The residence permit itself is issued and billed by your canton’s cantonal migration office after arrival, and cantonal permit fees are separate, vary by canton, and are not shown on the embassy’s consular fee schedule.
Why do fee amounts differ slightly between Swiss embassies? The legally set fee is denominated in euros (part of the Visa Code framework Switzerland applies as a Schengen state), and each embassy converts it into local currency — CHF at missions billing in Swiss francs, or the local currency elsewhere. Embassies also note they can adjust the converted amount for exchange-rate movements, so the CHF or local-currency figure can shift slightly between postings and over time even though the underlying EUR fee is fixed.
This is preparation guidance, not legal advice — always confirm the current fee with the specific Swiss embassy, consulate, or VFS centre handling your application before you pay, since amounts can be adjusted for currency movements. See also our Switzerland work visa guide and Switzerland student visa guide for the fuller application process.
Sources: Swiss Embassy in Germany — Counter services price list, effective 1 April 2026 (PDF), Swiss national visa fees — FDFA representation page.