Switzerland and the EU Are Raising Travel Fees from 2026

The headline change and what it is
Starting in 2026, a significant change will affect citizens of visa-exempt countries who plan short stays in the Schengen area: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) fee is being raised from the originally planned €7 to €20 (about $23) per applicant. Switzerland, though not an EU member, but part of the Schengen cooperation on border management, has confirmed it will align with this increase, meaning travelers to Switzerland as well as other Schengen states will face the higher charge when ETIAS goes live. This is not a one-off or local surcharge; it’s a coordinated, region-wide adjustment that governs the online travel authorisation many of our clients will need before boarding their flight.

Why the fee is rising (the official rationale)
Policymakers argue the fee hike is necessary for a few practical reasons: inflation since the original fee was proposed, the operational costs of building and running a robust, pan-European digital screening and security system, and alignment with fees charged for similar pre-travel authorisation systems elsewhere (for example, the United States’ ESTA or the UK’s ETA). The extra revenue will contribute to IT upgrades, staffing for risk screening, and ongoing maintenance of the ETIAS platform so border authorities can better pre-screen travellers and coordinate security responses. For travellers, this translates into a slightly higher upfront cost but, in theory, quicker, more secure crossings where automated pre-checks reduce friction at the airport.

Who this affects and who’s exempt
The fee applies to most nationals from visa-exempt countries, which include passport holders from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and many others who previously did not need visas for short Schengen visits. ETIAS authorisations are intended for short stays (generally up to 90 days within any 180-day period), and once approved, an authorisation can be valid for multiple trips over a period of years or until the traveller’s passport expires. Not everyone will pay: some categories, typically children under 18, elderly travellers above a certain age, and family members of EU/Schengen citizens in specific situations, are set to be exempt from the fee, although precise exemption lists and implementation details remain subject to final administrative rules. If you travel regularly, the fee will be an occasional one-off that covers multiple trips, but families and one-time visitors need to budget for the up-front cost.

Practical impact on trip budgets and travel decisions
A €20 (≈$23) authorization fee may look small beside airline tickets and hotels, but it matters for certain travellers and trip types. Budget travellers, family groups, educators arranging school trips, and multi-stop itineraries that involve several Schengen states will see the charge multiply across each passport required. For families, the fee per person can add up quickly; a family of four faces about €80 in fees before visas, flights, and accommodation are counted. For travel businesses and planners, including Astral Trail, the hike means an adjustment in quoted package prices and an early warning system to prompt clients to secure ETIAS approvals when they book. The administrative step itself is quick (an online form and a small payment), but the new fee makes it a non-negligible line item in budgeting and quoting travel packages.

Timing, rollout and the user experience to expect
ETIAS has faced delays and phased rollouts since it was first legislated. Official pages indicate the system will be operational and widely enforced in the later stages of 2026, with member states coordinating on exact start dates and technical readiness. Once live, travellers should expect a straightforward online application (passport details, travel plans, brief security questions) with most approvals issued rapidly; a minority of applicants may be flagged for manual review, which can take longer. For our clients, this means: don’t wait until the last minute. Apply when you book travel, and if you need help, accept the assistance of a trusted travel advisor who can ensure your paperwork is completed correctly and your authorisation is in hand before departure.

How Astral Trail is advising clients (practical steps)
At Astral Trail we recommend these immediate actions for anyone planning travel to Switzerland or the Schengen states from 2026 onward: 1) Add ETIAS fee and processing time to your travel budget and itinerary checklist the moment you confirm travel dates; 2) Apply early online — it’s typically a short form but problems do happen; 3) For families, apply for each person’s authorisation and keep digital copies; 4) If you are organising group travel (school, corporate, wedding parties), centralise documentation through a travel manager who can monitor approvals; 5) Consider booking refundable or flexible tickets early to lock in fares and use ETIAS as a final pre-departure step. Astral Trail will update package quotes to reflect the new fee and can offer ETIAS application support as an add-on service for clients who want a hands-off experience. Practical, upfront preparation reduces the stress and avoids surprises at check-in. (Company policy notes: clients should always confirm eligibility and exemption criteria on official government sites.)

Broader tourism and economic effects (airlines, hospitality, and long-term travel trends)
Economically, the fee increase is likely to be a small dampener but not a game-changer for overall tourist demand to Switzerland and the EU. High-income leisure travellers are unlikely to change plans for a €20 fee, but price-sensitive tourists may adjust trip durations, combine Schengen travel into single longer stays to amortize the cost, or choose non-Schengen neighbouring destinations when budgets are tight. Airlines and hotels may see no immediate demand shock, but travel agents and OTAs (online travel agencies) should expect more customer queries and a rise in requirements for pre-travel guidance. For destinations that count on driving volume from families or student groups, the cumulative effect of administration fees can nudify travel patterns over time. Governments argue the fee will pay for better security and improved traveller experience, while tourism stakeholders will be watching actual booking data to see if the marginal cost affects seasonality or the composition of visitors.

Final takeaways and how to move forward with Astral Trail
What should you do next? If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland or any Schengen state from 2026 onward, treat ETIAS as an essential travel document: factor the €20 fee into your budget, apply early, and keep a copy of the authorisation with your travel documents. For Astral Trail clients, we’ll proactively add ETIAS guidance to every Europe package and can manage the application on your behalf. The good news: the increased fee finances a platform that aims to make crossing borders safer, and when it works as intended, smoother. The not-so-fun news: it’s another administrative cost to plan for. If you’d like, Astral Trail can produce a tailored cost breakdown for your specific itinerary (single traveller, family, or group), show how the ETIAS fee affects total trip cost, and handle the application so you don’t have to. We’ll also monitor official updates and exemptions closely and send clients step-by-step instructions as the system goes live. Travel will remain as magical as ever, just slightly more bureaucratic. Plan early, budget clearly, and let Astral Trail handle the rest.

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