ETIAS Payment: Fees, Accepted Payment Methods, and Transaction Security
Payment of the ETIAS fee is made directly through the online form, during the final step of the application. The official fee is €20 per application for adults. Certain categories of travelers are exempt from the fee—but not from the requirement to apply. Payment is secure and handled by a financial intermediary: the ETIAS system does not retain any banking information after the transaction.
Official ETIAS Fee
| Applicant Profile | Fee | Approximate Equivalence |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (ages 18–70) | 20 € | ~$23 USD · ~$28 CAD · ~£17 · ~$35 AUD |
| Minor (under 18) | Free | Application required, but no fee |
| Senior (70 years or older) | Free | Application required, but no fee |
| Family members of EU citizens (subject to certain conditions) | Free | Conditional exemption — check eligibility |
The €20 fee is paid only once at the time of the initial application. The authorization is then valid for 3 years with unlimited entries into the Schengen Area—which works out to less than €2 per month of validity for a traveler who uses their authorization regularly. Visit our ETIAS pricing page for a detailed comparison with other international travel authorizations.
When is payment made?
Payment is made at the final step of the form, after you have entered all your personal information and answered the security questions. You cannot pay before completing the form, nor can you reserve a priority processing slot by paying extra. The fee is fixed and the same for all adults, regardless of nationality or country of residence.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Complete all sections of the ETIAS form |
| 2 | Check and confirm the information entered |
| 3 | Go to the secure payment page |
| 4 | Select a payment method and enter your bank account information |
| 5 | Confirm payment — the request is submitted and processing begins |
| 6 | Receive a submission confirmation via email |
Accepted means of payment
The ETIAS Regulation provides for the acceptance of several electronic payment methods. Debit and credit cards will be the primary accepted methods, along with other online payment methods depending on the options available when the system goes live.
| Payment Method | Accepted? |
|---|---|
| Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) | Yes |
| Debit Card (Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit) | Yes |
| Other online payment methods | To be confirmed at launch |
| Bank Transfer | No |
| Species | No |
| Check | No |
If you pay with a foreign card, currency conversion fees may apply depending on your bank’s terms and conditions. The €20 will be charged in your local currency at the exchange rate in effect at the time of the transaction. To avoid these fees, use a bank card with no international conversion fees, if you have one.
Payment Security: What Does the EU Do with Your Banking Information?
ETIAS payments are processed by a bank or an authorized financial intermediary, in accordance with European payment security standards (PCI DSS). The data required to secure the transaction is transmitted only to the financial institution processing the payment. The ETIAS central system does not process or store any payment-related information after the transaction has been processed—your bank details are never stored in the ETIAS database.
This is one of the reasons why it is essential to use only the official ETIAS website to submit your application. Unofficial third-party websites may collect your banking information without any guarantee of security and without any connection to the official system.
Is the payment refundable?
No. The €20 fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is approved or denied. The payment covers the processing of your application, regardless of the outcome. In the event of a denial, no refund is provided under European regulations. It is therefore important to verify your eligibility before submitting your application—please visit our page on ETIAS eligibility requirements.
However, if you cancel your trip after obtaining your ETIAS, no action is required—the authorization remains valid for 3 years and can be used for a future trip. There is no need to request a refund for the ETIAS if you cancel your trip.
Can you pay for someone else?
Yes. The person filling out the ETIAS form on behalf of someone else—a parent for their child, a travel agency for its clients—may use their own credit card to pay the fee. The payment is not tied to a specific name: what matters is that the applicant’s information (identity, passport) is accurate on the form. For children under 18, no payment is required. See our ETIAS for Children page for practical details.
Frequently Asked Questions About ETIAS Payment
Can I pay for ETIAS now, before the system launches?
No. The ETIAS system is not yet operational—it is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. No valid payment can be made before the official launch. Any website requesting an ETIAS payment before that date is unofficial. The European Commission will announce the launch date several months in advance.
Are the fees charged immediately or after the request is processed?
The €20 fee is charged when the form is submitted, before the request is processed. Payment initiates the processing—it does not determine the outcome. Even if the request is denied, the fee is non-refundable.
Will my credit card be charged in euros or in my local currency?
The official amount is 20 €—this is the reference currency. If your card is denominated in another currency (dollars, pounds, etc.), your bank will convert this amount at the exchange rate in effect at the time of the transaction, with any conversion fees subject to the terms of your banking agreement.
What happens if my payment is declined?
If the payment fails, the ETIAS application will not be submitted. You can try again with a different card or payment method. The application will not be forwarded for processing until the payment has been confirmed. Make sure your card is enabled for online transactions and international payments before you begin filling out the form.
Do I have to pay again if I need to renew my ETIAS?
Yes. Each new ETIAS application—whether it’s a renewal after expiration or a new application following a passport renewal—requires a fee of €20 (unless you still fall into an exempt category). See our page on renewing your ETIAS for details.
