From January 1, 2026, the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will increase from €7 to €20. This change affects travelers from visa-exempt countries who need ETIAS clearance before entering Schengen countries and other participating states.
The extra revenue will be used to strengthen border security measures, improve digital screening systems, and enhance tools used to detect fraud and risks. ETIAS authorisations will still be valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first — meaning frequent visitors will be able to reuse the same authorisation for multiple short trips within that period.
For individual tourists, the higher fee may not dramatically change travel budgets when spread across three years. However, businesses and organisations that pay ETIAS fees in bulk for staff on short assignments could see a notable rise in costs.
Travel operators and industry groups have raised concerns that the increase might discourage short trips and add friction for frequent travellers, especially for corporate travel or seasonal work arrangements.
Have plans to travel to Europe in 2026? Contact us for help with ETIAS applications, trip budgeting, and travel paperwork.
Call: +2347044161438 / +2347044208458
Email: myvisa@routepalng.com