European travel organizations have raised alarms over a proposed increase in the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to €20. Currently, the fee is set at €7, with ETIAS scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.
ETIAS is designed to require online authorization for visa-exempt non-European Union travelers before they can enter the EU. This system will apply to visitors from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, which are expected to pay the new fee before heading to the Schengen Area, comprising 29 European countries. The rollout of ETIAS has faced multiple delays, raising concerns within the travel industry.
A coalition of industry organizations, including the European Tourism Association, Airlines For Europe, and Hospitality Europe, has expressed their discontent regarding the proposed fee increase. In a joint letter, they highlighted that this proposal comes at a time when the tourism sector is already grappling with challenges such as geopolitical instability, high inflation, and escalating operational costs.
The groups advocate for a “modest and reasonable fee,” which was agreed upon during the discussions in 2018. They assert that the increase has not been substantiated and question the necessity for such a fee hike to sustain ETIAS operations. The letter pointedly noted a lack of transparency surrounding the proposed amount and urged that alternative pricing models be evaluated.
The organizations have called on the European Commission to release an impact assessment that justifies the proposed fee. They also urged the Council and the European Parliament to reject the fee increase and suggested that any surplus revenue generated from ETIAS fees should be allocated towards a specific budget line dedicated to tourism infrastructure.
Tim Fairhurst, director general of the European Tourism Association (ETOA), stated that unless there is an objection from European legislators, the increased fee will be implemented as proposed.
