News
Visa, entry and fee news
We check every item against the official source and date it. We report only what is confirmed – planned changes are labelled as plans.
ETIAS launches in Q4 2026: €20 fee, valid 3 years
Visa-exempt travellers from 60+ countries (USA, UK, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and others) will need an electronic travel authorisation for the Schengen area.
🛂 16 October 2026EES fully live: biometrics at all Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026
The Entry/Exit System replaces the passport stamp. Fingerprints and a facial image are stored; the 90/180-day rule is counted automatically.
🇬🇧 16 October 2026UK: ETA strictly enforced since 25 February 2026 – £16, soon £20
Without an Electronic Travel Authorisation, check-in has been refused since late February. This affects EU citizens and all other visa-exempt travellers.
🇺🇸 16 October 2026USA: ESTA costs $40 – plus a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for work and study visas
Since 1 October 2025 US entry has become more expensive: ESTA $40 instead of $21, plus a new $250 fee for most non-immigrant visas.
📜 16 October 2026Schengen visa: EU Commission launches Visa Code reform – draft law expected early 2027
On 8 September 2026 the Commission opened its consultation. Under discussion: EU-wide surcharges on the fee, easier procedures for business travellers and new restriction mechanisms. Nothing changes until then.