EU seeks to triple entry fee for short-term visa-exempt visitors
Visa exempt travel is set to be available from the last quarter of 2026 through the 'European Travel Information and Authorisation System' (ETIAS) to 30 European countries—namely, all EU member states except Ireland, plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
An ETIAS authorisation is required for short-term stays (up to 90 days) in these countries by nationals of visa-exempt states such as the UK, US, Canada, Brazil, and Australia.
The new ETIAS fee system will be assigned to the EU budget.
Currently, the cost for visa exempt arrival is set at €7 for applicants, with exemptions for those under 18 or over 70 years old at the time of application. However, the European Commission now wants to triple the fee to €20 in order to raise additional funds.
The proposal accompanies the presentation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU's long-term budget for the period 2028–2034, which foresees a significant increase in revenues generated through so-called 'own resources'—that is, taxes collected at EU level.
In addition to five new own resources proposals pitched by the Commission last week, plans to raise the ETIAS fee are set to generate an additional €300 million per year.
The Commission has submitted the proposal to the Council and the European Parliament, which have to endorse it, the senior official said. Unlike other own resources, the increase in the ETIAS fee does not require unanimous approval by all EU member states.
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