Etias fee for Malaysian travellers to Europe set to increase by 2026

The Star

24-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Some travellers may need to pay more to enter parts of Europe come 2026, as the price for travel authorisation under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is set to nearly triple.
According to the European Commission's announcement, the current Etias fee of €7 (RM35) is proposed to increase to €20 (RM100), with the change scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, reports CNBC.
Inflation and added operational costs—like technology upgrades and better border monitoring—are cited as the main reasons for the fee adjustment.
The increased fee aligns with international standards: the UK's ETA currently costs £16 (RM96), while the US' ESTA is priced at US$21 (RM95).
All Malaysian passport holders travelling visa-free to Europe, including the 30 Schengen countries and Cyprus, will need to apply for Etias and pay the €20 (RM100) fee for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
A Malaysian traveller who previously expected to pay RM35 will now need to budget RM100 — nearly three times more — for the authorisation alone.
However, Malaysians under 18 or over 70, as well as immediate family members of EU citizens, remain exempt from the fee.
As part of pre-travel planning, Malaysians must plan ahead — applying for ETIAS before booking flights and accommodation — to avoid possible travel delays due to processing times.
The CNBC report stated that the proposal will undergo a two-month review by the European Council and European Parliament, with a final decision expected by September 2025.
If approved, the €20 Etias fee will take effect in late 2026.