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ETIAS scams: the official site, the €20 fee and the start date

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Scam warnings by scheme

ETIAS is the EU's travel authorisation for visa-free visitors. The European Commission's page dated 6 October 2025 says ETIAS “is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point” 1. The fee will be €20 once it runs 1. The EU border agency Frontex warned in 2023 about more than 50 unofficial ETIAS websites 2. Any site taking ETIAS money before the EU opens the system is not official.
Official site
travel-europe.europa.eu/etias 1
Fee
€20 once operational, up from €7 1
Status
Not taking applications on the 6 October 2025 Commission page 1
Who needs it
Visa-free visitors to 30 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180 1
Unofficial sites
Over 50 counted by Frontex in 2023 2

Is ETIAS open?

The Commission's ETIAS page, dated 6 October 2025, says the system is not in operation and no applications are collected. It says “The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch” 1.

We could not confirm a start date from an official EU page as of 19 October 2026. The latest Commission notice we found is the one dated 6 October 2025 1. Check the official site before you pay anyone.

Once ETIAS starts, the Commission says applicants will apply “via an official website and/or app for mobile devices” 1.

Who will need ETIAS

ETIAS is for visa-free travellers visiting 30 European countries for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period 1.

Border guards will check the ETIAS authorisation together with your travel documents when you cross the EU border 1. The EU agency eu-LISA is building the system. The ETIAS Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 was adopted on 12 September 2018 1.

The official fee

The ETIAS fee was set at €20 instead of the earlier €7. The Commission says the new fee reflects inflation since 2018 and extra running costs. It takes effect as soon as ETIAS is running 1.

What EU agencies say about unofficial sites

In April 2023 Frontex, which hosts the ETIAS Central Unit, said: “We have become aware that the number of unofficial ETIAS websites in multiple languages has recently increased to over 50” 2.

Frontex said the ETIAS rules let commercial middlemen apply for travellers. They must use the official ETIAS website too, and any charge above the official fee goes to them 2.

Frontex asked travellers to think about “whom they are giving their personal information to and how much they are willing to pay in addition to the application fee” 2.

How the overcharge works

Before launch, the risk is paying for something that does not exist yet. A site that takes your passport and card details now cannot file an ETIAS application with the EU, since the Commission says none are being collected 1.

After launch, expect the pattern seen with the US, UK and Canadian systems. A private site charges a service fee and passes your details on 3.

What to do

  • Do not pay for ETIAS until the official site says applications are open 1.
  • When it opens, start from travel-europe.europa.eu and check the price is €20 1.
  • If you paid a site already, call your card issuer 4.
  • Report the site to your national fraud reporting service. In the UK that is the NCSC for websites 5.

Common questions

Can I apply for ETIAS now?

Not on the Commission page dated 6 October 2025, which says no applications are collected 1.

How much will ETIAS cost?

€20 once it starts 1.

Is it legal for agencies to apply for ETIAS for me?

Yes. Frontex said the rules allow commercial intermediaries. They keep anything charged above the official fee 2.

What is the official ETIAS website?

The Commission links to travel-europe.europa.eu/etias as the official ETIAS website 1.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@evisascams.com with the official link.

Sources

  1. European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) (6 October 2025)
  2. The Local Sweden: Non-EU travellers warned about unofficial ETIAS tourist visa websites (16 April 2023)
  3. The Local Denmark: Danish travellers warned to avoid scam US, Canada and UK visa websites (19 June 2025)
  4. US Federal Trade Commission: What To Do if You Were Scammed (updated 21 August 2026)
  5. National Cyber Security Centre (UK): Report a scam website (accessed 19 October 2026)

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