EU to Raise Entry Fees for Visa-Free Short-Term Tourists

The European Commission has proposed to increase the entry fee for visa-free access to the European Union from €7 to €20. Visa-free entry will be available starting from the last quarter of 2026 through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), covering 30 European countries, specifically all EU member states except for Ireland, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

ETIAS authorization is required for citizens of visa-free countries who intend to stay in these nations for a short term of up to 90 days. This includes citizens from countries such as the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Australia.

Proceeds from ETIAS fees will go to the EU budget. Currently, the fee for visa-free entry stands at €7, with exemptions for individuals under 18 or over 70 at the time of application. However, the European Commission is now aiming to nearly triple the fee to gather more revenue for the budget. The proposal is part of the EU's seven-year budget for 2028-34, which anticipates significant revenue growth from what are known as own resources or taxes collected at the EU level.