Upon arrival, travelers not requiring a visa to enter Cyprus will shortly face a €20 fee.
Starting from the last quarter of 2026, travelers visiting Cyprus and other European Union (EU) countries covered by the ETIAS system will need to pay an updated ETIAS fee of €20 per application, up from the originally planned €7 fee.
The fee increase applies to travelers aged 18 to 70 who are applying for ETIAS authorization. This travel authorization is required for visa-exempt travelers visiting 30 European countries, including all Schengen Area states plus Cyprus, which is in the process of joining Schengen.
The ETIAS authorization is necessary for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period and must be obtained before travel. It is important to note that the ETIAS system does not apply to EU citizens or long-term residents of the EU.
The launch of the ETIAS system and fee implementation is set for late 2026. The EU seeks consistency with international programs by revising the ETIAS fee to €20, aligning the cost of travel authorization in the EU with similar international systems, such as the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the US's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Applicants will need to provide personal information such as full name, date of birth, and passport number as part of the application process. The ETIAS fee is charged as part of this process, which is not considered a visa but a travel authorization.
The revised fee takes into account rising economic pressures and the need for technological advancements within ETIAS. The new fee covers the costs of additional operational expenses and the integration of new technical features into the system.
The European Commission has announced a proposal to increase the ETIAS fee, and this adjustment is subject to a two-month review period by the Council and the European Parliament. This review period can be renewed once before the new fee takes effect.
In summary, the updated ETIAS fee is €20 starting late 2026 for all eligible visa-exempt visitors to Cyprus and the listed EU countries. The EU aims to enhance internal security while facilitating travel for third-country nationals with this adjustment.
- Starting from late 2026, travelers visiting Cyprus, a country in the process of joining Schengen, will need to pay an updated ETIAS fee of €20 when applying for travel authorization, as the EU strives to align costs with international systems like the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the US's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- It's worth noting that the tech-driven ETIAS system, which is necessary for visa-exempt travelers visiting 30 European countries including Cyprus, requires an updated fee of €20, covering operational expenses and integrating new technical features, as the European Commission anticipates rising economic pressures and advanced lifestyle demands.
- In addition to providing personal information, travelers aged 18 to 70, seeking to visit Cyprus or other EU countries covered by the ETIAS system, will soon be required to pay the revised €20 fee per application for their ETIAS authorization before traveling, as per the European Commission's proposal that is subject to review by the Council and the European Parliament.
