Europe to Triple Its Entry Fee for Visitors
Dreaming of sipping espresso in a Roman piazza or shopping in Paris? Your future European getaway is about to get a little more expensive before you even book a flight. The European Union is planning to nearly triple the fee for its new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
When the ETIAS was first announced, the application fee was expected to be 7 euros per person; however, the EU has since increased the cost to 20 euros (approximately $23).
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What is ETIAS?
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What Happens if I Don’t Get an ETIAS Before My Trip?
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When Will ETIAS Be Needed?
If you’re from the U.S. or one of 58 other countries that don’t need a full visa for short European trips, you’ll soon need to get an ETIAS authorization before you go.
According to the ETIAS website, the “purpose of the system is to gather information on travellers who currently are travelling visa-free to the European Union and ensure individuals posing security concerns are identified before they are permitted travel to Schengen countries.”
Visitors will need to apply online for ETIAS, providing personal details such as name, birth date, passport information, employment, and travel details. ETIAS claims that most applications will take “between a few minutes to 96 hours to be processed.” If additional information or interviews with EU authorities are required, the waiting period could take up to a further 30 days.
The good news is that once approved, an ETIAS is valid for three years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first), and can be used for multiple trips.
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Although an ETIAS is not a visa, you will need to get it in advance of your trip. If you don’t have one, you will be denied entry to the EU.
As of right now, the ETIAS system will go into effect toward the end of 2026, although no specific date has been announced.
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