EU implementing European Travel Authorization system – Entrance to Schengen Area to cost EUR 5

The European Commission has proposed establishing a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), under which visa-exempt third country nationals above 18 would pay an application fee of EUR 5 to enter the Schengen Area.

The introduction of ETIAS aims to strengthen security checks of visa-exempt applicants, the EC explains.

The ETIAS will gather information on all those traveling visa-free to the EU, which will contribute to a more efficient management of the EU's external borders and improve internal security, while at the same time facilitating legal travel across Schengen borders.

The EC emphasizes that the ETIAS authorization is not a visa, but a lighter and more visitor-friendly regime.

As the EC states, in cases where no elements requiring further analysis are identified, the travel authorization is issued automatically within minutes after the application has been submitted. The application will not take more than ten minutes to fill in and will only require a valid travel document.

The authorization will be valid for a period of five years and for multiple travels. An application fee of EUR 5 only will apply to all applicants above the age of 18.

The ETIAS will be managed by the European Border and Coast Guard in close cooperation with the competent authorities of the Member States and Europol. There is a similar system in the USA – ESTA, costing USD 14 per traveler.

There were speculations that the EU authorization would cost EUR 13, with some speculating that it would even go up to EUR 50, providing a considerable source of revenue. The EC, however, proposed a symbolic fee of EUR 5.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Bruxelles

European Commission

European Travel Information and Authorization System

ETIAS

Schengen Area

Schengen

European Border and Coast Guard

Europol

passport

traveling to the EU