EU Confirms €20 ETIAS Charge for Visa-Free Travellers

The European Union has confirmed that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will cost €20 when it launches, raising the fee above earlier proposals. The decision was confirmed on 4 February and applies to travellers aged 18 to 70 entering the Schengen area from 59 visa-exempt countries, including the UK, US and Australia. Switzerland will be covered by the new requirement despite not being an EU member.

ETIAS is commonly compared to a visa waiver, but its structure is closer to the US ESTA. Travellers will complete an online form, submit passport details and answer security questions before travel. Most applications are expected to be approved within minutes. Once granted, the authorisation will remain valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

How ETIAS will work

• Required for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• Valid across all Schengen states plus Cyprus
• Linked digitally to a traveller’s passport
• Checked automatically during airline and border procedures

The new system has practical implications for travel planning in Switzerland. Business visitors attending meetings in Zurich or conferences in Basel will need valid approval before departure. Employers and travel managers are being advised to update budgets and pre-arrival guidance, especially for frequent visitors whose authorisation could expire mid-assignment. EU officials say ETIAS will launch in late 2026, following the rollout of the Entry/Exit System.

Once introduced, ETIAS will sit alongside existing border controls rather than replace them. Access to destinations across Switzerland, including Alpine resorts, lakeside cities and major business hubs, will remain unchanged in terms of visas. The difference will be an extra step completed online before departure, adding a small cost but no additional checks on arrival for most travellers.

The confirmed fee removes uncertainty after years of delays and revisions. While €20 is unlikely to deter travel, it adds another layer to pre-trip preparation that cannot be ignored. With airlines facing penalties for carrying passengers without authorisation, checks will increasingly happen before boarding. Travel into Switzerland will stay straightforward, but advance planning will matter more than it does today.