ETIAS Permit Fee Set At €20

How Much It Costs And How Long It Lasts

The ETIAS fee is set at €20, which is about £17 based on the figure reported on 2026-08-24. Once approved, an authorisation will normally last for three years or until the linked passport expires, whichever happens first. That makes passport timing important: if your passport is due for renewal soon, applying before renewal could leave you needing a fresh ETIAS after the new passport arrives. Families and groups should budget per eligible traveller, rather than assuming one application covers everyone on a booking.

How The Application Should Work

The application is expected to be completed online through the official ETIAS channel, with travellers entering passport details, personal information and answers to security-related questions. Most applications are expected to be processed quickly, but some may require extra checks or additional information. Because the authorisation is electronic, travellers may not need to print anything, but keeping a copy of the confirmation is sensible. The most important rule is to match the application exactly to the passport you will present at check-in and at the border.

Why It Matters For Boarding

Once ETIAS becomes operational, airlines, ferry operators, rail companies and coach operators may check whether a passenger has valid authorisation before allowing them to board. This makes ETIAS different from a document you can simply sort out at the arrivals desk. A traveller who turns up at the airport without the correct authorisation could be treated in the same practical way as someone missing a required visa or valid passport. That could mean denied boarding, missed accommodation and limited scope for refunds if the traveller failed to meet entry requirements.

Best Strategy For UK Travellers

UK travellers should treat ETIAS as part of the same pre-travel routine as checking passport validity, travel insurance, mobile roaming and local entry rules. Before paying anyone, confirm that applications are open on the official EU ETIAS website, because scam and copycat websites are likely to target confused travellers. If travelling as a family, check each person’s passport and authorisation separately, especially where children or dual nationals have different documents. Travellers with complex immigration status, non-standard passports or longer stays should check official advice rather than relying on airline call centres.

What To Do Before Your Next Europe Trip

Start by confirming whether your destination is an ETIAS country and whether your nationality is covered by the visa-exempt list. Next, check your passport expiry date, because ETIAS will expire with the passport even if the three-year period has not ended. Build in time before departure, particularly for peak holiday periods, cruises, school breaks and trips with expensive non-refundable elements. Finally, remember that ETIAS approval does not remove the need to satisfy border officers on arrival, so you may still be asked about your accommodation, funds, return ticket and reason for travel.