ETIAS Fee Under Review: Will Travelling to Europe Cost More?
From autumn 2026, many travellers from visa-free countries—like the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia—will need to apply for a travel authorisation called ETIAS before entering the Schengen Area.
It’s expected to cost €7. But now there are growing questions about whether that fee could go up.
What is ETIAS?
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new online travel authorisation that visa-free travellers will need to complete before entering most EU countries. It’s similar to the US ESTA or the UK’s ETA.
It’s not a visa, but you’ll need to fill out an online form, provide details of your trip, and wait for approval before you can travel. The authorisation will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). Children under 18 and adults over 70 won’t have to pay.
ETIAS is only for travellers who don’t currently need a visa for short stays, so it won’t affect those who already need a Schengen visa. But it will affect the millions of people who travel to Europe every year for holidays, business, or to visit family.
Why the Concern About a Price Hike?
The original €7 fee was agreed back in 2018. But now, reports from Politico and The Telegraph suggest the EU is considering raising it.
According to unnamed EU diplomats, a higher ETIAS fee is being discussed as one way to help the EU repay some of its COVID-related debt.
The European Commission says it's reviewing the fee to reflect inflation, the added features of the system, and to align it with similar travel authorisation programs around the world.
As a comparison:
- The US ESTA currently costs $21 (around €18)
- The UK ETA increased from £10 to £16 (€12 to €19) earlier this year
Any change in the ETIAS fee would need approval from both the European Parliament and EU member states, so nothing is final yet. But if the increase happens, it would be announced well in advance.
ETIAS won’t start until at least October 2026, and only after the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully up and running. EES is a digital border tracking system that will log travellers' entry and exit and check how long they stay. That system is now expected to start in April 2026, following a 6-month testing period beginning no earlier than October 2025.
So if you’re planning to travel to Europe in the next year or so, you don’t need to worry about ETIAS just yet. But it’s coming soon.
ETIAS Exemption for British Citizens
Some UK politicians have called for British travellers to be exempt from the ETIAS requirement, especially as part of efforts to improve UK-EU relations.
However, that’s unlikely. Only EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are exempt. Since the UK chose to leave the EU and end free movement, British travellers are treated like other non-EU nationals.
If the EU did exempt British nationals, it would likely expect the UK to do the same for EU citizens, which doesn’t appear to be on the table.
While ETIAS is still over a year away from launching, travellers from visa-free countries should be prepared to pay a small fee and complete an online form before visiting the EU.
Do you need to renew your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.
Check out the offers and discounts from:
And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.
IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries
If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.
Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.
Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".
When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.
- Belgium Tightens Borders: How It Could Affect Your Schengen Trip - 25 June 2025
- ETIAS Fee Under Review: Will Travelling to Europe Cost More? - 24 June 2025
- Cyprus Remains a Safe Destination This Summer - 23 June 2025
