The European Union (E.U.) tripled the fee for U.S. travelers to enter its member nations, with travelers having to pay approximately $23 under the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This is an increase from the approximately $7 fee the group said it would cost when the ETIAS was first announced in February.
What Is the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)?
The ETIAS is a new mandatory entry requirement for travelers from 59 “visa-free” countries, including the U.S., to enter the 30 countries within the E.U. The E.U. said the requirement is not a visa requirement, and that the ETIAS would last for three years and be tied to passports. The ETIAS will not require a consulate, biometric data or additional documentation beyond a valid passport.
The travel authorization was put into place to strengthen border security and streamline traveler screening while reducing public health risks, according to the E.U. The E.U. originally planned for the ETIAS to go into effect in 2022, but implementation was pushed back several times since its announcement in 2016. The system now plans to be implemented for travelers without a visa in the final quarter of 2026.
Why the Fee Increase?
The European Commission, the executive branch of the E.U., attributed the fee increase to rising inflation and additional operation costs. The commission also cited the price of other travel authorization programs such as the ESTAs in the U.S. (costing $21).
For those headed to the U.K. concerned about paying “double fees,” the U.K. is still not a member of the European Union despite its proximity to the continent. The U.K. has its own Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system that also increased its cost this year, to approximately $21.
The announcement also comes after the U.S. introduced its new $250 “visa integrity fee” for international visitors.
