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Last Updated: October 2026
ETIAS costs €20 per person for travelers aged 18–70, per the European Commission’s July 17, 2025 announcement. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, Article 18) but still must apply.
⚠️ ETIAS Status: Not Yet in Operation
ETIAS is not yet in operation, with no start date announced. The European Commission says it will announce the specific start date several months before launch.
The €20 fee will take effect as soon as ETIAS is operational. See our launch date tracker for the running record.
⚡ Quick Reference for the ETIAS Fee
| Application fee | €20 (~$22 USD / ~$30 CAD / ~£17 GBP / ~$34 AUD) |
| Who pays | Travelers aged 18–70 from visa-exempt countries |
| Who’s exempt | Under 18 and over 70 (fee waived). Family members of EU citizens who hold a residence card do not need ETIAS. |
| Does the fee vary? | No — €20 is the same for every nationality and every ETIAS country |
| Valid for | 3 years or until passport expires (whichever comes first) (Article 36) |
| Covers | Unlimited trips to all 30 ETIAS countries |
| Payment methods | Credit/debit card via the official portal |
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How Much Does ETIAS Cost?
The ETIAS application fee is €20. The European Commission announced it on July 17, 2025, replacing the €7 fee set in the 2018 ETIAS Regulation (Article 18).
The Commission said the increase aims to cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account all its functionalities and inflation rates, and to align the EU fee with those of other countries that have similar travel authorisation programmes.
That €20 gets you an authorization valid for three years or until your passport expires, covering unlimited trips to all 30 ETIAS countries. Compared to the hassle and cost of a Schengen visa (€90+, embassy appointment, weeks of processing), it’s still remarkably cheap and easy.
Who Pays and Who’s Exempt?
| Category | Fee | Must Still Apply? |
|---|---|---|
| Adults aged 18–70 | €20 | Yes |
| Children under 18 | Free | Yes — parent/guardian applies on their behalf |
| Adults over 70 | Free | Yes |
| Family members of EU citizens with a residence card | N/A | No. The ETIAS Regulation does not apply to them (Article 2(2)) |
| EU/Schengen passport holders | N/A | No — ETIAS doesn’t apply to you |
| Holders of valid Schengen visa or residence permit | N/A | No — your visa/permit covers entry |
What Will ETIAS Cost Your Family?
Since every traveler needs their own application, costs add up for families. Here’s what typical groups would pay:
Why Did the Fee Increase from €7 to €20?
When the ETIAS regulation was adopted in 2018, the fee was set at €7. The European Commission announced the increase to €20 on July 17, 2025.
The Commission’s stated reasons:
- Operational costs: The fee aims to cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account all its functionalities.
- Inflation: The Commission says the new fee takes inflation rates into account.
- International alignment: The Commission wants the EU fee aligned with those of other countries that have similar travel authorisation programmes.
How ETIAS Compares to Other Travel Authorization Fees
| System | Region | Fee | Valid For | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETIAS | EU/Schengen + Cyprus | €20 (~$22) | 3 years | 30 countries |
| US ESTA | United States | $40.62 ($10.62 if refused), for applications from 16 October 2026 | 2 years | 1 country |
| UK ETA | United Kingdom | £20 (~$26) | 2 years | 1 country |
| Canada eTA | Canada | C$7 (~$5) | 5 years | 1 country |
| Australia ETA | Australia | A$20 (~$13) | 1 year | 1 country |
| New Zealand NZeTA | New Zealand | From NZ$17 | 2 years | 1 country |
| Schengen Visa | EU/Schengen | €90 | Varies (up to 5 years) | 29 countries |
At €20 for three years across 30 countries, ETIAS is strong value compared to the alternatives. The US ESTA now costs nearly double (~$40) but only covers one country and lasts two years. The UK ETA costs £20 (rise from £16: Press-reported: The Local, 7 Feb 2026, from April 8, 2026) and still covers just one country.
What Does the €20 Fee Actually Cover?
What your €20 buys you:
- Three-year travel authorization (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first)
- Unlimited entries to all 30 ETIAS countries
- No additional charges per trip — pay once, travel as many times as you want
- Permission to enter Europe for these purposes: tourism, business meetings, and transit (not paid work or long-term study, which require a separate visa)
ETIAS is an entry permit, not insurance. It does not pay for any health, medical, or travel costs while you are in Europe.
NOT included:
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric scan at the border — that’s free and separate
- Travel insurance (not required for ETIAS, but highly recommended)
- Visa fees if ETIAS doesn’t apply to your nationality
🛡️ ETIAS Doesn’t Cover Medical Emergencies
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How to Pay for ETIAS
ETIAS is not yet in operation, with no start date announced. When it launches, you’ll pay the €20 fee during the online application process on the official EU portal at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Payment will be by credit or debit card.
A few important details about payment:
- Currency: The fee is charged in euros. Your bank will convert to your local currency at their exchange rate, which may include a small foreign transaction fee depending on your card.
- Accepted cards: Visa, Mastercard, and major debit cards. Prepaid cards and cryptocurrency are not accepted.
- One payment per application: You cannot bundle family members into a single payment. Each person applies and pays separately.
- No renewal fee discount: When your ETIAS expires after three years, you pay the full €20 again for a new application.
How to Avoid ETIAS Scams and Overcharging
This is the most important section of this article. ETIAS scam websites are already active, and they will multiply once the system launches.
Common scam tactics to watch for:
- Fake “official” websites with names like etias-application.com, apply-etias.eu, or official-etias.org. These sites charge €50–100+ for what should be a €20 process. Some collect your personal data without even submitting a real application.
- “Urgency” messaging claiming you need to apply immediately or that spaces are limited. ETIAS is not capacity-restricted — anyone eligible can apply at any time.
- Google Ads impersonation: Scam sites often buy Google Ads for terms like “ETIAS application” so they appear above the official EU site in search results. Always check the URL.
When Should You Apply and Pay?
ETIAS is not yet in operation, with no start date announced. The Commission says it will announce the specific start date several months before launch. Here’s the smart timeline for whenever launch does happen:
- Apply well before travel. The Commission says most applications are approved within minutes. The Regulation sets a decision deadline of 96 hours after an admissible application is submitted (Article 32).
- If more information is requested, you have 10 days to reply, and a decision follows within 96 hours of your reply. After an interview, the decision comes within 48 hours (Articles 27 and 32).
- Don’t apply too early if your passport expires soon. Your ETIAS is tied to your travel document. Any change of travel document requires a new application (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240), so you would need to apply (and pay) again.
Once ETIAS starts operations, its use is optional for six months and the requirement to hold a travel authorisation does not apply. A further six-month grace period follows: border authorities may exceptionally let a traveler without ETIAS cross for the first time, provided they meet all other entry conditions (Article 83).
Sources
- EU law (Publications Office): Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 (ETIAS Regulation)
- European Commission: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
- European Commission: The European travel authorisation ETIAS will cost EUR 20
- European Commission: Main differences between EES and ETIAS: what travellers need to know
- US Federal Register: Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1: Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation (91 FR 62534)
- New Zealand Immigration: NZeTA
- GOV.UK: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview
Checked 27 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ETIAS cost?
ETIAS costs €20 per person for travelers aged 18–70. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee but still need to apply. The fee is the same regardless of nationality or which ETIAS country you enter first. The European Commission confirmed the €20 fee on July 17, 2025, raising it from the originally planned €7.
Does the ETIAS fee vary by nationality?
No. The €20 fee is identical for every ETIAS-eligible nationality — US, UK, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, and all others pay the same amount. The fee is also the same regardless of which ETIAS country you enter first (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, etc.).
Do I pay €20 every time I visit Europe?
No. You pay once, and your ETIAS is valid for three years (or until your passport expires). During that time, you can make unlimited trips to all 30 ETIAS countries without paying again.
Do children under 18 need to pay for ETIAS?
No. Travelers under 18 are exempt from the fee. However, they still need their own ETIAS application submitted by a parent or guardian, free of charge.
Do seniors over 70 need to pay for ETIAS?
No. Travelers over 70 are fee-exempt. You still need to apply, but the application is free.
What happens if I get a new passport during my ETIAS validity?
Your ETIAS is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, your old ETIAS becomes invalid and you’ll need to apply and pay €20 again with your new passport details.
Can I pay for ETIAS in US dollars or British pounds?
The fee is denominated in euros. Your bank or credit card company will handle the currency conversion automatically. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges.
Why did the ETIAS fee increase from €7 to €20?
The European Commission said the increase aims to cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account all its functionalities and inflation rates, and to align the EU fee with those of other countries that have similar travel authorisation programmes (for context, the US ESTA is now $40.62 and the UK ETA £20). The increase was announced on July 17, 2025.
Is there a fee for appealing a denied ETIAS?
The EU has not confirmed a separate appeal fee. If your application is denied, you can appeal to the national authority that made the decision. You may also correct errors and resubmit a new application, which would require paying the €20 fee again.
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Build My Free Travel Briefing →Related Articles
- ETIAS 2026: Complete Guide — everything about the system
- ETIAS Launch Date: Latest Timeline — the running record of delays and updates
- ETIAS Countries: Full List — all 30 nations covered by your €20
- How to Spot Fake ETIAS Websites — inflated fees to avoid
- Can You Be Denied ETIAS? — rejection reasons and appeals
- ETIAS vs. ESTA — how the €20 fee compares to the US system
- ETIAS for US Citizens — the biggest visa-exempt audience
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ETIAS fee details are sourced from the European Commission’s official ETIAS portal. Always verify against official sources. Last updated: October 2026.