European Commission Announces New Entrance Fee to Visit Europe Will Increase Threefold
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Some travelers may need to pay more to enter parts of Europe beginning in 2026. The cost for travel authorization under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to nearly triple, according to an announcement from the European Commission on Friday. The ETIAS system has yet to be implemented; it was adopted in 2018 but has faced multiple delays, and is now scheduled to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2026.
A proposal has been made to increase the fee from 7 euros ($8) to 20 euros ($23). The announcement cited inflation and additional operational costs as reasons for the increase. This new fee aligns with the pricing of other travel authorizations, such as the U.K.’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the U.S.’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Currently, an ETA costs £16 ($21.70), while the ESTA costs $21.
Who must pay it?
The ETIAS travel authorization applies to visa-exempt travelers wishing to visit 30 European countries for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Some travelers are exempt from this fee, including those under 18 years old, over 70 years old, and family members of European Union citizens. Travelers from 59 regions will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization, including those from Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The proposed adjustment will undergo a two-month review period by the European Council and Parliament.
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