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ETIAS Cost & Fees

Last verified: 2 min read

How much does ETIAS cost?

Quick Facts

ETIAS costs €20 for most travelers. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee.

Adult Fee €20
Under 18 Free
Over 70 Free
Validity 3 years

Fee Breakdown

Adults 18-70 €20 Standard fee per person
Under 18 FREE Children exempt
Over 70 FREE Seniors exempt
EU Family Members FREE With valid residence card

About the ETIAS Fee

The ETIAS fee was originally set at €7 when the system was announced. In July 2025, the European Commission raised the fee to €20 to align with similar systems like the US ESTA ($21, soon $40).

The fee covers the administrative costs of processing your application and running security checks. It is a one-time payment valid for the entire 3-year authorization period — no renewal fees during that time.

Who Pays the ETIAS Fee?

  • Adults aged 18 to 70 from visa-exempt countries
  • Each traveler requires their own application and fee
  • Parents/guardians pay on behalf of children (but children are free)

Who Is Exempt from the Fee?

  • Children under 18 years old
  • Seniors over 70 years old
  • Family members of EU citizens with valid residence cards
  • Holders of diplomatic and service passports (check specific rules)

Scam Warning

The official ETIAS fee is only €20 (or free for exempted travelers). Beware of third-party websites charging €50, €100, or more. The only official application portal is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.

How ETIAS Compares to Other Systems

Feature Region Fee Validity
ETIAS Europe (Schengen) €20 3 years
ESTA United States $21→$40 2 years
UK ETA United Kingdom £16 2 years
Canada eTA Canada CAD $7 5 years
Australia ETA Australia AUD $20 1 year

Payment Methods

When the ETIAS application portal opens, you will be able to pay using:

  • Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
  • Debit cards

Payment is required to submit your application. The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Cost FAQs

Can I get a refund if my ETIAS is denied?
No. The ETIAS fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. The fee covers the cost of processing and security checks, not a guarantee of approval.
Are there group discounts for families?
There are no group discounts, but children under 18 and adults over 70 are completely free. A family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children would pay €40 total (€20 × 2 adults).
What currency is the ETIAS fee paid in?
The fee is €20 in euros. If you are paying from a non-euro account, your bank will handle the currency conversion at their exchange rate.
Do I pay again when I renew ETIAS?
ETIAS is valid for 3 years. When it expires, you will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again if you are still in the paying age bracket.
Why did the ETIAS fee increase from €7 to €20?
The European Commission raised the fee in July 2025 to better cover operational costs and align with similar systems worldwide, particularly the US ESTA.

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