Switzerland, along with the rest of the Schengen Area, will raise the cost of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from €7 to €20 (approximately $23) effective January 1, 2026, authorities confirmed on November 22, 2025.
The adjustment, the first since ETIAS was launched, will standardize the fee across all participating countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and the 27 EU member states in the Schengen zone.
Switzerland, though not an EU member, fully participates in the Schengen border-free area and has adopted the same pricing structure.
The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) stated that the additional revenue is needed to finance significant upgrades to Europe’s digital border infrastructure. Funds will support:
– Enhanced cybersecurity measures
– Expanded data-sharing agreements with Europol
– Modernization of the Schengen Information System (SIS) for faster detection of fraudulent documents and high-risk individuals
– Full integration with the upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), which will register biometric data of non-EU visitors
ETIAS is mandatory for citizens of more than 60 visa-exempt countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nigeria (for those holding second passports from these nations) — who wish to enter the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or transit stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Once approved, an ETIAS authorization remains valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
This means the effective cost per trip remains modest for most leisure and business travelers.
Impact on Corporate and Frequent Travelers
Travel management companies note that while the increase is unlikely to deter tourism or essential business travel, it will be felt most by organizations that regularly send personnel to multiple Schengen countries.
Companies that centrally cover ETIAS fees for employees on short-term assignments or technical missions may see administrative expenses nearly triple compared to the original €7 rate.
Some firms are already reviewing whether to absorb the higher cost, bundle trips under a single authorization, or pass the fee on to clients or staff.
Swiss airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel-Mulhouse are preparing for smoother processing once ETIAS is linked with the new Entry/Exit System.
Travelers with valid ETIAS will eventually receive a single QR code combining pre-authorization and biometric registration, enabling faster passage through automated border gates.
Industry Reaction
Switzerland Tourism and major European aviation associations have welcomed the change, emphasizing that stable, predictable funding for border technology is preferable to unpredictable airport taxes or last-minute surcharges.
The uniform fee across the entire Schengen Area also ensures Switzerland faces no competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring countries.
The SEM has pledged to release detailed multilingual guidance for employers and frequent travelers by mid-2026, covering payment procedures, group applications, and transitional arrangements.
Travelers planning trips to Switzerland or any Schengen country from 2026 onward are advised to apply for ETIAS well in advance via the official European Union portal to avoid delays at the border.
The new €20 fee will apply to all applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
Applications approved before that date at the current €7 rate will retain their full three-year validity.