ETIAS Visa Cost 2026: The Complete Fee Guide

The ETIAS visa cost in 2026 is €20 — a single, one-off fee payable when you submit your travel authorisation application online. This covers an authorisation valid for 3 years and allows unlimited entries into the 29 Schengen Area countries for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

TL;DR: ETIAS costs €20 per application. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee. The €20 is non-refundable if your application is approved; you receive a partial refund only if it is rejected. Payment is by credit or debit card only through the official ETIAS portal.

Fact	Detail
ETIAS fee (2026)	€20 per applicant
Fee exemptions	Under 18s and over 70s pay nothing
Validity	3 years or passport expiry (whichever comes first)
Entries covered	Unlimited within validity period
Refund policy	Non-refundable if approved; refunded if rejected

The ETIAS visa cost was increased from the original planned €7 to €20 in April 2026, as confirmed by the European Parliament. This is still significantly cheaper than a traditional Schengen visa (€90). For the full story behind the increase, see ETIAS price increase 2026 and ETIAS price updates April 2026.

Who Pays the ETIAS Fee — and Who Is Exempt

The €20 ETIAS visa cost applies per applicant, per application. Each passport holder who needs ETIAS must pay separately — there is no family or group discount. However, two large groups are completely exempt from the fee:

Exemptions from the €20 fee:

• Children under 18: Minors are exempt regardless of nationality. They still need to complete an ETIAS application — the system just waives the fee. A parent or guardian submits the application on their behalf. See the full guide to ETIAS for children.
• Adults aged 70 and over: Travellers who are 70 years old or older on the date of application pay nothing. The age is calculated from the date of birth on the passport.
• Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Non-EU nationals who are spouses, registered partners, direct descendants under 21, or dependent direct relatives in the ascending line of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen do not pay the ETIAS fee and may be exempt from ETIAS entirely when travelling with or joining the EU citizen.

Applicant Type	Fee	Notes
Standard applicant (18–69)	€20	Pays at time of application
Child under 18	€0	Still must apply; parent submits
Adult 70+	€0	Age verified against passport DOB
EU family member	€0	May be exempt entirely
Repeat applicant (renewal)	€20	New fee on each 3-year renewal

Pro tip: A family of two adults and two children under 18 travelling to Europe pays only €40 total in ETIAS fees — not €80. The children’s applications are free, and both parents pay €20 each. Compare this to a Schengen visa, which would cost €90 per adult and €45 per child.

How to Pay the ETIAS Fee

The ETIAS visa cost is paid online during the application process at the official European Travel Information and Authorisation System portal (travel-europe.europa.eu). The payment step comes after you have completed all personal information, travel details, and background questions.

1. Complete the ETIAS application form. Fill in your personal data, passport details, travel history, and background questions accurately. Any errors can cause delays or refusals.
2. Reach the payment screen. The portal will display the fee due (€20, or €0 for exempt applicants). The amount cannot be negotiated or disputed at this stage.
3. Pay by card. The ETIAS system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and some national debit card systems. There is no cash or bank transfer option. For a full list of accepted payment types, see ETIAS payment methods 2026.
4. Keep your receipt. You will receive a payment confirmation by email alongside your application reference number. Save both — you will need the reference number to track your application and for any appeal.
5. Await approval. 95% of applications are approved within minutes to a few hours. See ETIAS approval timeline for what happens during the review.

The ETIAS application takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. See the complete ETIAS application guide step by step for a full walkthrough. Also check ETIAS documents needed before you start.

Is the ETIAS Fee Refundable?

The refund policy for the ETIAS visa cost is clearly defined in the ETIAS Regulation:

If your ETIAS is approved: The €20 is non-refundable under any circumstances — including if you cancel your trip, if your passport is lost or stolen, or if the ETIAS expires unused. The fee pays for the administrative cost of processing the application, not for the trip itself.

If your ETIAS is refused: You are entitled to a refund of the €20 fee. The refund is processed back to the original payment card within 14 days. For details on what happens after a refusal, see ETIAS refusal 2026: how to appeal and re-apply and ETIAS refunds and withdrawn applications.

If you withdraw before a decision: If you withdraw your ETIAS application before it is decided, the €20 may or may not be refunded depending on how much processing has already occurred. The ETIAS Regulation allows member states to retain the fee if significant administrative work has been completed.

For context, compare the ETIAS visa cost against alternatives for Schengen entry. A standard Schengen visa costs €90 for adults, requires a visit to an embassy or visa centre, supporting documents, and takes 15–45 days to process. The ETIAS vs Schengen visa comparison highlights why ETIAS represents significant savings for eligible nationalities.

ETIAS Cost for Groups and Families

Each traveller requires their own ETIAS — there is no combined family application. However, one person can submit applications on behalf of multiple family members using a single ETIAS portal account. This is useful for parents applying for their children (who are exempt from the fee) or for one family member managing the process for elderly relatives.

For a family of four — two adults aged 30–40 and two children aged 8 and 12 — the total ETIAS cost would be €40 (two adult applications at €20 each; children are free). For a group of 10 adult friends, the total cost would be €200 — still far less than equivalent Schengen visa costs of €900 for the same group.

If you are planning group travel in Europe, each individual member is responsible for their own valid ETIAS — tour operators cannot apply on your behalf. Check ETIAS for minors and family group trips for the complete family planning guide.

• Couples (2 adults): €40 total
• Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children): €40 total (children free)
• Family of 4 (2 adults over 70, 2 adults aged 40): €40 total (over-70s free)
• Solo traveller: €20
• Group of 10 adults: €200 total

Practical Tips: Getting the Most from Your €20 ETIAS

• Apply early. There is no advantage to applying last-minute. Apply weeks or months before your trip to ensure the authorisation is ready and to allow time for appeal if needed. See ETIAS approval timelines.
• Link it to your travel passport. ETIAS is tied to your passport number. If you travel on a different passport than the one used for the application, your ETIAS will not be recognised at the border. Renew your passport before applying if it expires within 3 years. See ETIAS validity with an expiring passport.
• Use only the official portal. Third-party websites charge inflated “service fees” on top of the €20 ETIAS fee. Some charge €50–€150 for a service available free of charge at the official portal. See ETIAS scam websites to avoid.
• One ETIAS covers all 29 Schengen countries. You do not need separate authorisations for France, Spain, Italy and Germany — one ETIAS covers them all. Check the full ETIAS countries list.
• Plan for the €20 renewal every 3 years. The ETIAS does not automatically renew. Budget for a new €20 application every 3 years (or whenever you get a new passport). See ETIAS renewal guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ETIAS visa cost in 2026?

The ETIAS fee in 2026 is €20 per applicant. This fee was increased from the originally planned €7 following a European Parliament vote in early 2026. The €20 covers a 3-year travel authorisation with unlimited entries into all 29 Schengen Area countries.

Is there a free ETIAS application?

Children under 18 and adults aged 70 and over are exempt from the €20 ETIAS fee. They still need to complete the application, but the fee is waived automatically based on the date of birth in their passport. Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may also be exempt.

Can I get a refund on my ETIAS fee?

Yes — but only if your ETIAS application is refused. If your application is approved, the €20 is non-refundable even if you cancel your trip. Refunds for refused applications are returned to the original payment card within 14 days.

How does ETIAS cost compare to a Schengen visa?

ETIAS costs €20 for 3 years with unlimited entries. A standard Schengen visa costs €90 for a single- or double-entry stay of up to 90 days and requires an embassy appointment, supporting documents, and 15–45 days processing time. For eligible nationalities, ETIAS represents an 80% cost saving.

Is the ETIAS fee the same for all nationalities?

Yes. The €20 ETIAS fee applies equally to all nationalities eligible for ETIAS, regardless of which country they come from. The exemptions (under 18, over 70) apply to all nationalities equally.

When do I pay the ETIAS fee?

You pay the €20 at the end of the ETIAS online application, before submission. The fee is processed immediately by credit or debit card. You cannot submit the application without completing payment (unless you are in an exempt category).

Does each family member need to pay separately?

Yes. The €20 ETIAS fee is per applicant. Each passport holder requiring ETIAS must pay separately. However, exempt family members (children under 18, adults over 70) do not pay, so the actual cost for a family may be significantly less than €20 per person.

What currencies can I pay in?

The ETIAS fee is denominated in euros (€20) but the payment portal accepts most major credit and debit cards and converts to your local currency automatically using the current exchange rate. See ETIAS payment methods for accepted card types.