Europe Travel Fee Set to Jump for Many in 2026

New authorization system to cost significantly more, impacting visitors from 59 countries.

Travelers planning trips to Europe in 2026 may face a nearly threefold increase in the cost of obtaining travel authorization.

ETIAS Fee Hike on the Horizon

The European Commission announced a proposed hike for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), raising the fee from 7 euros (approximately $8) to 20 euros (around $23). This adjustment, cited as a response to inflation and increased operational expenses, aligns with fees for similar travel authorization programs in the UK and United States.

The ETIAS system, originally adopted in 2018, has experienced several postponements and is now slated for implementation in the final quarter of 2026. The proposed fee increase is undergoing a two-month review by the European Council and Parliament.

Who Will Be Affected?

This new authorization requirement applies to visa-exempt travelers intending to visit 30 European nations for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The system aims to enhance security and streamline border checks.

Citizens from 59 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom, will need to secure ETIAS authorization. However, certain groups are exempt from the fee, such as individuals under 18 or over 70 years old, and close family members of European Union citizens.

Comparing Global Travel Authorizations

The new ETIAS fee mirrors charges for comparable international travel systems. For instance, the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) currently costs £16 (about $21.70), while the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is priced at $21.

This move reflects a broader trend in international travel management, with many countries implementing electronic authorization systems to pre-screen visitors. For example, as of 2024, over 80 million ESTA applications have been processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, highlighting the scale of such systems. U.S. Customs and Border Protection