Increase in European Travel Authorisation Fee: ETIAS now costs €20
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to Launch in Last Quarter of 2026
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to become operational towards the end of 2026, according to recent announcements and travel advisory updates[1][2][3][5].
The EU announced a start of operations for ETIAS at the end of 2026[5]. Several sources pinpoint an ETIAS launch window between October and December 2026[3]. This follows the earlier rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled for October 12, 2025, with a phased introduction until April 2026[1][3][4].
ETIAS is a travel authorisation that must be applied for online and paid for ahead of travel. The system requires an online application with a fee of €20, typically processed quickly. It will be mandatory before boarding flights or entering the EU[2][5].
Under ETIAS, non-EU nationals traveling to the Schengen area without a visa will have to apply for an online travel authorisation before departure. The information required for ETIAS includes name, date of birth, and travel document number.
Non-EU citizens who have residency within an EU or Schengen zone country are exempt from these systems. The ETIAS fee will have to be endorsed by the EU Council and the European Parliament in the coming months.
The European Union's new border control measures include EES and ETIAS. EES is an enhanced passport check requiring biometrics including fingerprints and facial scans. ETIAS is part of the new IT architecture of the EU that aims to strengthen security within our Union, while facilitating traveling of non-EU nationals.
It's important to note that the UK launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation in 2023 and extended it to EU nationals in 2025. The busy UK-France border is a particular concern regarding the implementation of these new systems. The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $21.
The ETIAS "is part of the new IT architecture of the EU that aims to strengthen security within our Union, while facilitating travelling of non-EU nationals." Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the ETIAS fee. ETIAS applies only to people who are traveling on the passport of a non-EU or Schengen zone country.
Travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain ETIAS authorisation for travel to the EU/Schengen area beginning in late 2026. The UK-France border, in particular, is expected to be affected by these changes.
[1] EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/policy-areas/entry-exit-system-ees/entry-exit-system_en [2] European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/ society/202106/10-06-2021-etias-the-new-travel-authorisation-system-for-the-eu-to-be-launched-in-2022 [3] European Council: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/council/2021/06/10/justice-and-home-affairs-council/ [4] European Commission press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_2517 [5] European Parliament press release: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210610IP2105262/etias-the-new-travel-authorisation-system-for-the-eu-to-be-launched-in-2026
- The implementation of ETIAS, set to launch in the last quarter of 2026, aims to strengthen security within the European Union while facilitating travel for non-EU nationals, becoming a crucial aspect of the new border control measures.
- As ETIAS becomes operational towards the end of 2026, travelers from visa-exempt countries will have to apply for and pay for the online authorization ahead of their journey to the EU/Schengen area, with the busy UK-France border anticipated to be significantly impacted by these changes.
