Europe to Triple The Travel Permit Fee for Foreign Visitors

The European Union is proposing to increase the digital travel permit fee for non-EU nationals to €20 (around $23), nearly three times the initially planned amount. The European Parliament and member states have two months to review this proposal, which will take effect once the ETIAS system becomes operational, expected in the last quarter of 2026.

The revised fee aims to bolster the EU’s funding for various priorities, including defence and agriculture, and accounts for inflation and operational costs, the European Commission announced.

"The fee aligns with similar travel authorisation programmes," said the EU's top executive body.

Originally introduced in 2018, the ETIAS fee was set at €7. By comparison, the UK's equivalent, ETA, costs £16 (£21 USD), and the US's ESTA costs $21.

The online system will be necessary for non-EU travellers from countries whose citizens do not require a visa for short stays, such as Canada, the UK, and the US. The permit will be valid for three years, with exemptions for those aged under 18 or over 70.

The scheme aims to enhance security, address irregular migration, and ease border crossings for regular travellers. However, its implementation has been delayed, partly due to technical issues and the need for a new automated border control system.

The European Parliament and member states have a two-month window to approve the €20 fee. The ETIAS system is expected to become operational in late 2026. The EU recently proposed a €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, which has caused some controversy among member states required to contribute.

Brussels also plans to raise around €58 billion annually through measures such as a carbon border tax and electronic waste levies.