The cost of an EU entry permit will increase: what will change from 2026

The EU proposes to increase the ETIAS fee to €20. Find out more about why the new fees are being introduced, when the system will come into effect, and who will be affected by the requirement to obtain an electronic authorization

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The European Commission has proposed increasing the fee for entry permits to European Union countries under the future ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). If the initiative is approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, the cost of the permit will almost triple from €7 to €20 when the system is launched, which is expected by the end of 2026.

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What is ETIAS and why is it needed?

ETIAS is a new electronic system that will become mandatory for citizens of countries with a visa-free regime with the Schengen area. Its purpose is to increase security, optimize control at external borders, and facilitate the entry procedure for law-abiding travelers.

The system works similarly to the US ESTA or UK ETA.

Why is the entry permit becoming more expensive?

The €7 fee was approved back in 2018, but today the EU is facing rising inflation, the need to introduce new technologies, and significant IT infrastructure maintenance costs.

According to the European Commission, the €20 fee is in line with current international standards and is comparable to the fees charged by the US and the UK.

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Who will be affected by the changes?

Obtaining an ETIAS authorization will be mandatory for travelers from countries that are not EU members but enjoy visa-free entry. These include Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, the UK (after Brexit), the US, Canada, Australia, and others.

For citizens of countries with a visa regime, the procedure will not change — they will still need a Schengen visa.

By the way, you can quickly get a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine portal — just select the validity period, the appropriate type of transport and get your policy in just a few minutes.

EES — another EU innovation

In addition to ETIAS, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is planned to be launched in 2025. It will record the date, place of border crossing, and biometric data of travelers, replacing traditional passport stamps.

This will allow for more effective monitoring of compliance with the permitted length of stay in the Schengen area.

What should travelers know?

From 2026, travel to the EU will become slightly more expensive for foreigners with visa-free travel: the ETIAS permit will cost €20 and will be valid for three years.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, experts advise travelers to keep an eye on rule updates and apply for an electronic authorization in good time.

Take out travel insurance at Visit Ukraine — a policy that meets all EU requirements and is available online in just a few clicks.

Choose the right package and travel with peace of mind!

Reminder! The visa-free regime has greatly simplified travel for Ukrainians, but it has limitations, so some Ukrainians need to obtain a visa to travel to the EU. Depending on the purpose of the trip, there are different types of visas, each of which requires a specific set of documents. Which Ukrainians cannot enter Europe without a visa, what types of visas exist, and what documents are required to apply — we explain here.

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