The EU unveiled plans to charge travelers five euros ($5.30) for security checks to get visa-free travel to Europe's borderless Schengen area.

The proposal will allow EU countries to quickly cross check identity documents and other details from visa-exempt travelers with a host of data bases.

Nationals from nearly 60 countries are exempt from having visas to the Schengen zone, including those from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, Argentina as well as neighbours like Albania and Bosnia.

Under the proposed new system, citizens from those countries would still be allowed visa-free travel, but would have to pay the five-euro fee and submit to the checks.

Under the plan, applicants above 18 years who travel to the 26-country Schengen zone --which includes 22 EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein -- will electronically pay a fee of five euros ($5.30) for multiple entries over five years.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-plans-five-euro-security-check-visitors-131117872.html