EU visas to introduce fee by 2026

Reports indicate that, effective January 1, 2026, Europe will introduce mandatory pre-authorization for all travelers, including Ukrainians. This system is called ETIAS and requires a fee of 20 euros per application (approximately 1,016 UAH). Practice requires each applicant to submit an individual application; group or family applications are not provided for. This means that, unlike the visa-free regime, Ukrainians and citizens of signatory countries will be forced to pay for this service.

Experts note that in 2013, visas for Ukrainians cost 35 euros, but in 2024 the amount was reduced to 20 euros. Therefore, critics see this as a new 'fee' for 'visa' access and raise questions about the political subtext: 'Maidan' as an autocratic event which, according to some, ultimately only delivered a cheap tourist visa.

Currently, public discourse suggests that 'Maidan' led to the abolition of the visa fee, yet in the future a paid system is being reintroduced, causing public dissatisfaction and raising questions about the direction of the European Union's migration policy. From a human rights perspective, this move could complicate direct travel to visit relatives and tourists from agreement countries.

Context

In 2014, the 'Maidan' events in Ukraine led to significant changes in migration policy, including the abolition of the visa fee for Ukrainian citizens.