The €20 Fee — What It Covers
The ETIAS application fee was set at €20 per application under an amendment to the original regulation, reflecting increased system costs and GDPR compliance requirements. The fee was originally planned at €7 but was revised upward.
The fee covers:
- Processing of your application through all security and migration databases
- Three years of valid authorisation (or until your passport expires)
- Unlimited entries into the Schengen Area during the validity period
- Coverage across all 30 participating European countries under a single fee
The fee is paid at the time of application. If your application is rejected, the fee is generally non-refundable (the EU has confirmed this in implementation documentation).
Fee Exemptions
Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 specifies the following exemption categories:
| Category | Fee Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travellers aged 18–69 | €20 | Standard application fee |
| Children under 18 | €0 — Exempt | Authorisation still required |
| Travellers aged 70 and over | €0 — Exempt | Authorisation still required |
| Family members of EU/EEA citizens | Fee may vary | Special rules apply — check official guidance |
Payment method
The ETIAS fee will be payable online at the time of application at the official EU portal. Accepted payment methods are expected to include major credit and debit cards. Applicants should have a valid payment card ready before starting the application.
Applications cannot be submitted in person or paid in cash. The entire process is online-only.
Beware of unofficial fee-charging sites
Numerous unofficial websites already charge fees to "apply" for ETIAS — despite the fact that the official ETIAS system does not yet exist. These sites typically charge €50–€90 and provide worthless documentation. Any payment made to an unofficial ETIAS site is money wasted.
The only legitimate place to pay the ETIAS fee will be at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias when the portal opens in 2026. Read our full scam warning →
Check if the fee applies to you
Use our free eligibility checker — it includes your personal fee status based on your age.
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