Heading to the EU? That’ll Cost You More, Starting in 2026

The US might be rolling out a new US visa fee ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, but some could argue Europe started it first. Today, the UK charges £10 ($12.50) for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the country, while European Union (EU) member countries charge €7 ($8.15). And by the looks of it, the price of admission is going up.

• The European Commission has proposed more than doubling entry to the EU to fund “upgraded automation, stronger encryption, and better coordination” with bloc systems.
• They propose raising the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee to €20 ($23.28) in late 2026, following the launch of the EU’s new digital border program, the Entry/Exit System (EES).

What does that mean? €20 might not seem like a lot (especially when the US is making visitors pay much steeper ‘visa integrity fees’), but it might come as an unpleasant surprise for travelers heading east. It’s particularly disappointing for visitors as European nations impose new travel taxes on travelers, seeking to reduce congestion and generate additional revenue.