If you’re planning on vacationing abroad next year, you’ll need to budget at least $23 more once the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) goes into effect. While the new travel requirements have been pushed back to late 2026, applicants are set to pay nearly triple the cost it originally called for.
Originally expected to cost just €7 (around $8), the European Union announced that the fee would be raised to €20 (roughly $23). Only those between the ages of 18 and 70 will need to pay the application fee, but all travelers regardless of age will still require ETIAS approval.
Why the price hike?
The reason for the increase has to do with inflation and operational costs. It is possible that the application fee could increase annually, depending on operational costs of the system once it goes into effect.
In addition to the fee, travelers must submit the following details in their application:
- Personal information including full name, date of birth, nationality and contact information
- Travel document details
- Education level and current occupation
- Details about intended travel in any of the countries requiring ETIAS
- Any criminal convictions and past travels to conflict zones
What exactly is ETIAS?
ETIAS is an entry requirement for non-EU nationals when traveling to 30 European countries, including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Visitors will be allowed to stay no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. To clarify, it is not a visa, but rather a pre-travel security check.
While no specific date has been set for the new system, the European Union has stated it will launch in the last quarter of 2026, following the latest Entry/Exit System (EES). This is yet another requirement Americans will have to comply with on a trip to Europe, but won’t be launching in October 2025. Learn more here.