The cost of entering the European Union will triple: what will the price of the permit be?
Against the background of the gradual introduction of new digital border control technologies in the European Union, in particular the ETIAS travel authorization system, the European Commission proposed to change the basic financial mechanism of its work. It is about increasing the cost of issuing a permit from 7 to 20 euros. This decision will directly affect Ukrainians who use the visa-free regime. It would seem that this change is technical, but in fact it signals deeper processes.
A new EU initiative
The European Commission took the initiative to increase the cost of an entry permit to the countries of the European Union through the ETIAS prior authorization system. It is proposed to raise the amount of the fee from the current 7 to 20 euros. About this reported on the official website of the European Commission.
The European Travel Authorization Information System (ETIAS) is an electronic form of pre-check that citizens of countries with visa-free access to the EU will undergo before each trip. After completing the online application and paying the fee, the person will receive a permit valid for three years. This model, similar to the American ESTA or the British ETA, allows not to introduce formal visas, but at the same time to ensure control over those who enter the territory of the European Union.
Digital authorization is designed to minimize the risks of illegal border crossing, strengthen the analytical capabilities of border services, and also speed up the verification procedure without interfering with the visa-free principle itself. However, with the introduction of this system, new financial and procedural nuances arise, which become an additional barrier – even if it is not in the form of physical fences.
Why should the fee increase now?
The first tariff of 7 euros was laid in 2018 — at a time when inflation indicators in the eurozone were relatively stable and the structure of the system itself was still in the planning phase. Over the years, the European Union has not only experienced a pandemic and rising prices, but also a large-scale renewal of the security infrastructure at its external borders. Costs for development, protection of personal data, integration with national databases and implementation of new functions require other funding.
As the European Commission explains, the increase to 20 euros is not an arbitrary figure. This is an orientation towards similar systems in partner countries, where the cost of authorization is from 17 to 25 euros. That is, the EU does not go beyond the international standard. At the same time, this means that each family with several travelers will have to spend not 21, but 60 euros for ETIAS registration.
Who will be affected by the new fee, and who will be exempt
Regardless of nationality, all those eligible for visa-free entry will be required to obtain an ETIAS permit. This also applies to citizens of Ukraine, but some categories of persons will be exempted from payment. We are talking about children under 18, people over 70, family members of EU citizens or those who have the right to free movement on the territory of the European Union.
These are exceptions dictated by both humanitarian and political considerations: respect for family ties, accessibility of Europe for young people and the elderly, as well as compliance with the principle of non-discrimination.
What does this mean for Ukrainians?
In practice, the increase in the cost of ETIAS means that any trip to the EU – whether for tourism, business or family – will require additional planning, and not just financial. Although authorization is processed automatically, it may be delayed in case of doubt. This requires an early application and waiting for permission. In addition, even short-term departures across the Polish or Hungarian border will not be possible without prior authorization.
For those Ukrainians who live in border regions and are used to crossing the border regularly, this will become a tangible complication. For students, workers, entrepreneurs or relatives who want to visit family, this means new logistics and new costs. 20 euros may not look catastrophic, but in the conditions of war and economic pressure, this change is perceived as another complication.
When will the new rules come into effect?
The initiative is currently under review by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Discussions are expected to continue until the fall of 2025. If there are no objections, the changes will enter into force simultaneously with the launch of ETIAS – in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The system itself has already been postponed several times, its launch was delayed due to technical difficulties, as well as the need for synchronization with other border control information systems. But this time, the European Commission declares its full readiness for launch.
Despite all the changes, the main rule remains: Ukrainians remain among the citizens of countries that do not need a visa to travel to the EU. That is, we are not talking about canceling the visa-free regime, but the philosophy of this visa-free regime is being transformed. Now it’s not just the right to get on a bus and go to Warsaw. This right is confirmed by electronic verification and an additional fee. This is a right that must be formalized.
In today’s reality, security and control increasingly dictate the conditions of mobility. Digital barriers are replacing paper visas, and a “transparent border” means an ever-increasing number of digital footprints. And although this process is presented as rational and necessary, it actually redefines the very concept of freedom of movement for millions of people.
Therefore, the decision to increase the ETIAS registration fee is part of a deeper EU strategy: modernization of the external control system, digitalization of border crossings, unification of standards with partners. For Ukrainians, this means a new level of preparation for travel and a gradual change in ideas about the “openness of Europe”.
