The EU has increased the ETIAS fee to €20. Find out who has to pay the fee, who is exempt, when the system will be operational and how to correctly apply for a Schengen travel permit

The European Commission has announced an increase in the application fee for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Instead of the previously planned 7 euros, travelers will have to pay 20 euros. The new rules will come into force after the launch of the system, which is expected in the last quarter of 2026.

Read everything we know about the change in the cost of the permit in this article.

Who has to pay the ETIAS fee and who is exempt from it?

According to the EU decision, most visitors from countries that do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area will have to pay a registration fee. At the same time, there are exceptions:

- children under 18 years of age;

- persons over 70 years of age;

- certain family members of EU citizens and third-country nationals enjoying the right of free movement.

The ETIAS permit will be valid for three years or until the expiration of the applicant's passport, whichever comes first. In most cases, applications will be processed automatically within a few minutes.

When will the new ETIAS fee be charged?

As of September 2025, the ETIAS system is not yet operational. The €20 fee will only be charged once it is officially launched, which the EU will announce in advance.

Before that, on 12 October 2025, a separate Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to be launched, which will create digital records of border crossings for short-term travellers.

Why has the ETIAS fee increased?

The European Commission explained that the increase to €20 is due to:

- higher operating costs;

- an expansion of the technical functionality of the system;

- inflation since the adoption of the initial regulation in 2018;

- an effort to align costs with similar authorisation schemes in other countries.

How do I apply for ETIAS?

You can apply through the official website or the ETIAS mobile application. Depending on the applicant's nationality, the system will prompt you to fill in certain fields:

- Profile data: full name, date and place of birth;

- Information about citizenship;

- Address;

- Email address and phone number;

- Education and work experience;

- First EU country you plan to enter;

- Information about your health;

- Information about visiting countries during the war and places where you were deported;

- Criminal record;

- Family members of EU citizens must provide proof of family ties, contact details, etc.

However, some companies may offer assistance with document processing for an additional fee. The European Commission advises checking that travelers pay only the official fee of 20 euros and are informed of any additional service charges.

Important! ETIAS is not a visa. This is a preliminary security check for short-term trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Even after approval, border guards retain the right to check entry conditions and refuse entry if necessary.

The launch of ETIAS will be an important step in strengthening EU border security while also adding new conditions for travel. Although the fee has increased to €20, the application process will remain simple and fast, and exemptions for certain categories of travelers will be maintained. Those planning to travel to the Schengen area after 2026 should familiarize themselves with the new rules in advance to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Need help with paperwork?

Our migration lawyers will help you understand all the nuances of traveling and moving to the EU. They will advise on ETIAS, visas, residence and work permits, and also tell you how to avoid mistakes when submitting documents.

Contact the experts - and your trip or move will be hassle-free.

Reminder! Are you traveling in Europe and value comfort while traveling? We have already told you which train stations in Europe have become the best in 2025.

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