The European Commission wants to increase the planned ETIAS authorization fee from €7 to €20 for visa-free travelers visiting most of Europe for short stays. The move is designed to support the EU budget, but the proposal still needs political approval before it can take effect.
The ETIAS application fee is set to increase from EUR 7 to EUR 20 before the system's launch in 2026.
EU governments approved a new sanctions package on Russia after Slovakia withdrew its objections. The measures are designed to tighten enforcement and increase pressure on energy and shipping channels connected to Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
Every summer, some holidays collapse at the airport because travellers check their passport too late. In 2025 the safest approach is to remember that renewal speed helps, but only if you understand the rule for your destination.
A UK-EU summit agreement on 20 May 2025 confirmed there are no longer legal barriers to Britons using e-gates at EU borders after EES launches. The practical change, however, will not arrive until October at the earliest.
The promise of more eGate access for British travellers sounded dramatic, but the practical picture was narrower. Faster processing at some airports was possible, yet the legal status of UK travellers at the EU border and the underlying entry rules were not being rewritten.
From late 2026, non-EU travellers flying to Europe will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before boarding. Learn how the system works at airports, on arrival, and during international transits.
EU Home Affairs Ministers have endorsed a revised rollout plan for two major travel systems. The Entry/Exit System will go live in October 2025, while the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will launch in late 2026, supported by transitional and grace periods.
European visitors who do not need a visa now have to obtain a UK ETA before travelling. The system extends Britain’s pre-travel screening model and places new document-check duties on airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers.
The European Union has delayed the long-awaited ETIAS travel authorisation system once again, pushing its expected launch to the final quarter of 2026.