SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

How much does ETIAS cost?

€20 - free if you are under 18 or over 70

One payment covers your authorisation for up to 3 years (or until your passport expires), across as many short trips as you make in that time.

What the fee includes

The €20 is a one-off charge per application, paid by card on the official EU portal. There are no renewal charges during the validity period and no per-trip fees - your ETIAS works for multiple visits until it expires, you get a new passport, or the 3-year period ends, whichever comes first.

Remember the fee buys an authorisation, not extra time: every trip is still capped by the 90/180-day rule.

Who pays nothing

Applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee. They still have to hold a valid ETIAS - the difference is only that the application costs €0. For families, this means children need their own ETIAS too, just without the charge. Details on ETIAS for children.

From €7 to €20

The fee was first legislated at €7. In July 2025 the EU confirmed an increase to €20, bringing it into line with comparable travel authorisations such as the US ESTA and the UK ETA and reflecting operating costs. €20 is the current, confirmed amount.

Frequently asked questions

How much does ETIAS cost?

ETIAS costs €20 per application for most travellers. It is free for applicants under 18 or over 70. That single fee covers the whole validity period of up to 3 years.

Why did the ETIAS fee go up to €20?

The fee was originally set at €7 and was raised to €20 in July 2025 to align with comparable schemes such as the US ESTA and the UK ETA and to cover operating costs. €20 is the confirmed figure.

Is ETIAS free for children and seniors?

Yes. Applicants under 18 or over 70 pay nothing, but they still need an ETIAS - the application is free, not skipped. See ETIAS for children.

Why are some sites charging much more than €20?

Because they are commercial middlemen, not the official service. The only legitimate fee is the €20paid on the official EU portal. Sites charging “service fees” on top are the lookalike-scam category the EU warns about.

Sources