Brits travelling to European Union countries are likely to pay €20 for a visa waiver, not €7 as previously announced, when it finally comes into force.
The European Commission has proposed tripling the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver, saying costs have gone up during repeated delays to implementation.
The ETIAS is scheduled to come into force in the last quarter of 2026. Its launch was initially planned for 2018.
The Commission said on Friday: “Taking into account the rise in inflation since 2018 and additional operational costs related, eg to new technical features integrated into the system, the fee will be adjusted to €20 per application, valid for a period of three years.
“It will also bring the cost for a travel authorisation to the EU in line with similar travel authorisation programmes such as the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).”
The cost of a UK ETA, which was launched in 2023 and extended to EU nationals in 2025, increased from £10 to £16 in April 2025, while the US ESTA costs $21. Both are valid for two years or until the passport runs out, whichever is sooner.
The ETIAS won’t be introduced until after the EU’s European Entry and Exit system (EES) comes into force. The EES enhanced passport check was postponed indefinitely at the end of last year, but the EU has confirmed it will start on 12 October. Phased implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all EU borders.
The EU confirmed earlier this year there will be a six-month transitional period for the introduction of the visa-waiver scheme, during which time Brits and other non-EU visitors will still be allowed entry without authorisation.
After that, Brits over 18 and under 70 will have to pay for the ETIAS.
The proposed new fee needs to be signed off by the EU Council and European Parliament.
