≡-EU Proposes Major Hike in ETIAS Fee for Travelers – Get Ready for 2026 – Viral of Today

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Home » TOURISM NEWS » EU Proposes Major Hike in ETIAS Fee for Travelers – Get Ready for 2026 Wednesday, July 23, 2025International visitors who wish to enter the European Union from 2026 will need to apply online and pay a €7 ($8) fee. Under the new scheme, visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the US, Canada, Japan and the UK, will be charged a €20 fee to access the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The rise, part of a push towards international norms and to cover growing costs, sees an elevation from the existing €7 entrance fee. The plan will also require review by the European Parliament and European Council before taking effect.European Participation Fees Enter a New EraETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is supposed to gather and sift through passengers from visa-free nations visiting Schengen Zone EU member states before they reach its soil. At the moment, foreign tourists from places like the United States and Canada pay a fee of €7, but that will soon spike.The fee for non-European Union citizens will increase to €20, triple its current rate, by late 2026. This will have the most impact on citizens of visa waiver countries, who will be required to apply for ETIAS approval before traveling.The fee increase is part of an overall attempt to bring European travel standards more in line with global norms and to help pay for the increased expense of operating and modernizing the system.What is ETIAS and how does it work?ETIAS is the online application process that will automatically screen travellers ahead of time before they board a plane or a ferry to travel to the EU. The process requires filling in an online form with basic information, such as name, date of birth and passport number. Those applicants are then assessed by the system for security, health or migration risk.When it is worth, ETIAS will simplify points of entry and make sure that passengers are meeting security standards before they arrive in any Schengen Zone nation. It should be a swift and easy process for travelers, with approval usually given within minutes of applying.Why the Fee Increase?The suggested rise of the ETIAS entrance fee is mainly due to the increased operational costs of the system. The extra money will be invested in various technical improvements of the system, according to the European Commission, including:Upgraded automation for faster processingImproved encryption options allocated for the protection of traveler informationBetter synergy with EU Entry/Exit System (EES) to enable enhanced monitoring and management of bordersThese enhancements will allow for a more secure, more efficient, and more fluid electronic processing, while ensuring the continuity of travel experiences for travellers from around the world and EU citizens.There Are Some People Who Won’t Pay the New FeeNot all travelers will have to pay the new €20 charge. There are some important exemptions:Children under 18 years oldSeniors over 70Approved family members of EU residentsThese groups will maintain free use of the ETIAS system shall the fundamental travel requirements for anyone in need be facilitated.What’s Next for the Proposal?The plan to hike the ETIAS entry fee still has a long way to go before it becomes law. The proposal will be subject to a two-month scrutiny period by the European Council and European Parliament. If accepted, the new charges structure would be implemented from 2026.This is a substantial change and a crucial moment in Europe’s relationship to how it treats international travel, and it mirrors the EU’s concern in developing a safe, modern travel system.Tags: border management, Entry/Exit System EU, ETIAS fee hike, ETIAS travel authorization, EU travel security, Europe, European entry fee 2026, European travel standards, European Union travel changes, non-EU nationals ETIAS, Tourism news, Travel News, Visa-Exempt Countries

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