The European Commission is proposing a new €20 fee for third-country nationals seeking visa-free entry into the European Union, almost three times higher than the previously approved amount.
The proposed fee is linked to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which the EU is establishing as a counterpart to the U.S. ESTA program. ETIAS will apply to visa-free travel across 30 countries, including all EU member states except Ireland, along with Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
The ETIAS Regulation, which was adopted in 2018, initially set the fee at €7. Due to inflation and increased operational expenses, including newly added technical features, the European Commission has declared that the fee will be raised to €20 per application.
Once approved, the travel authorization will be valid for three years and allow visits of up to 90 days. The €20 fee aligns with similar travel authorization systems abroad, such as the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which costs £16 (€18.50), and the U.S.’s ESTA at $21 (~€18).
Although the European Parliament and EU member states approved ETIAS seven years ago, the system has yet to be implemented. The Commission now aims to launch it in the final quarter of 2026.
Once ETIAS is operational, visa-exempt travelers from non-EU countries will need to complete an online application ahead of the journey. In line with the regulation, applicants must submit personal details, including name, date of birth, and passport number. The system processes requests automatically, issuing a decision within minutes.
The revised fee will face a two-month review period by the Council and European Parliament. The new rate will take effect once ETIAS becomes active, the Commission added.
ETIAS is a key component in the EU’s push to digitize border crossings and strengthen public security, while preserving convenient travel for tourists and short-stay visitors.
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