Entry to the EU will be subject to a fee starting in 2025

This fee will apply to citizens of Western Balkan countries that are not part of the EU, including North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson confirmed that the new regulation will come into effect in May 2025.

According to a report by Time Balkan, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will also apply to citizens of other countries that do not require a visa to enter the EU, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Under the ETIAS system, non-EU citizens will need to pay the €7 fee and apply for authorization before entering the Schengen area.

The authorization will be valid for three years or until the passenger's passport expires, whichever comes first.

Applicants will need to provide personal information, such as their address, employment, and contact details. While some applications may be processed quickly, others could take up to 72 hours.

The EU has also confirmed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) for Schengen countries will be operational on November 10.

EES will require travelers to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial photos, at border crossings.

These new measures aim to prevent criminals or terrorists from entering the EU with fake passports.