The European travel and tourism industry expresses its concerns over the European Commission’s recent proposal to increase the ETIAS travel authorisation fee from €7 to €20 per application, nearly a threefold increase compared to the original amount agreed in 2018.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to become operational in late 2026, will require visa-exempt non-EU travellers to obtain an online authorisation before entering the EU and pay a fee before travelling to the Schengen Area.
The proposed fee increase raises questions about proportionality and fairness at a time when Europe’s tourism sector continues to face the combined pressures of geopolitical instability, high inflation, and rising operational costs.
While the fee may represent a small fraction of overall travel expenses, the cumulative impact on families is not negligible, not least given the broader context of increasing overnight taxes. This increase appears disproportionate and runs counter to the original intention of the co-legislators (the European Parliament and the Council), who agreed to a modest and reasonable fee during the 2018 negotiations – a key outcome supported by the travel and tourism sector.
The industry is concerned by the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed amount and calls for clarity on whether alternative pricing models (e.g. €10 or €12) were assessed. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to justify the necessity of such a fee level for the operation and maintenance of ETIAS.
Referencing other travel authorisation schemes (e.g., UK ETA and US ESTA) as benchmarks for pricing sets a concerning precedent. Fee decisions should reflect the actual operational needs of the EU system and be fully justified. They should not aim to align with unrelated schemes without a clear rationale and legal basis.
In light of these concerns, the travel and tourism industry calls for the following actions:
- The European Commission is to publish an impact assessment justifying the proposed fee increase, which will include a detailed cost breakdown and confirmation of whether alternative pricing models were considered.
- The Council and European Parliament are to reject the €20 proposal and request a more proportionate, evidence-based fee.
- Any surplus revenue collected through ETIAS, after covering its official costs, should be allocated to a specific budget line or, ideally, earmarked for the travel and tourism sector as part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This funding should support tourism infrastructure, staff training, and sustainable development initiatives.
The travel and tourism industry supports secure, innovative, and efficient borders. The inbound industry generates valuable export revenue, which can be used to fund investment. Financial and administrative burdens on visitors must be carefully balanced to maintain and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness as a global travel destination.
