UK holidaymakers will have to pay €20 fee for new ETIAS Travel Authorisation starting in 2026
With the start of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), the European Commission has officially confirmed that applications for the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will cost €20 per person once the system launches in 2026.
The fee will apply to visa-exempt non-EU travellers, such as those from the UK, visiting 30 European countries, including the Schengen Area. The Commission says the charge will cover operating costs, added technical features, and inflation adjustments since the scheme was first approved in 2018.
Who must pay — and who is exempt
Visitors from visa-free countries, such as the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, will need to pay the €20 fee when applying. However, children under 18 and adults aged 70 or over will be exempt, as will family members of EU citizens and non-EU nationals with free-movement rights.
Residents of EU countries with a TIE, such as Spain and the Canary Islands, will also be exempt, but their family members will NOT be exempt.
Each ETIAS authorisation will be valid for three years, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first, and will allow short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Most applications will be decided automatically within minutes, though some may take longer if further checks are needed.
When ETIAS will begin
ETIAS is not yet operational. The European Commission says the start date will be announced in advance, and the fee will only be collected once the system officially launches.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES), which records travellers’ arrivals and departures in and out of these countries, will serve as the foundation for ETIAS, digitising border checks across Europe.
Why the price increased
When the ETIAS regulation was first adopted, a lower fee of €7 was expected. Officials now say €20 better reflects the costs of running the system, upgrading its security features, and maintaining it in line with inflation. The figure also aligns ETIAS with similar travel authorisation programmes elsewhere, such as the US ESTA and Canada’s eTA.
How to apply
Travellers will be able to apply through the official ETIAS website or mobile app once the system opens. Applications can also be made through third-party providers, though these may charge additional service fees. The Commission advises travellers to verify they are using the official platform and paying only the EU’s €20 fee (plus any optional service charge they explicitly agree to).
ETIAS is not a visa
Officials stress that ETIAS is not a visa, but rather a pre-travel security check for visitors who do not require one. Holding an ETIAS approval does not guarantee entry, border officers will still check entry conditions upon arrival.
The move marks another step in the EU’s plan to modernise border management, with both the EES and ETIAS systems designed to streamline travel while enhancing security across the Schengen Zone.
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