Skip to content
Managing Your Money Made Easy — Capital Vue's Business Hub

Increase in ETIAS fees contested by European travel industry

Travel industry in Europe voices dissent over proposed increase in ETIAS fee to €20, arguing insufficient transparency, unequal impact, and potential harm to tourism industry's competitiveness.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Increased opposition from the European travel industry over proposed rise in ETIAS fees
Increased opposition from the European travel industry over proposed rise in ETIAS fees

Increase in ETIAS fees contested by European travel industry

The European Commission has proposed a significant increase in the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) fee from €7 to €20 per application, citing higher operational costs since 2018. These costs include expenses related to new technical features, stronger encryption, upgraded automation, and better coordination with other EU travel systems [1][2][3][4].

However, this proposed fee hike has raised concerns within the travel and tourism industry. Key issues include proportionality, impact on travelers, lack of transparency, and questioning the use of other travel schemes as benchmarks [1][3]. The industry is urging the European Parliament and Council, which must approve the fee increase, to reject the proposal in favor of a more evidence-based and proportionate fee structure [1][2][3].

The travel and tourism sector argues that the fee hike is disproportionate, especially as Europe’s tourism sector continues to face challenges from geopolitical instability, high inflation, and rising operational costs [1][3]. The cumulative cost for families and tourists is a cause for concern, especially when combined with other costs like increasing overnight taxes in many European cities [1][3].

Travel industry leaders criticize the European Commission for insufficient evidence justifying why such a high fee is necessary. They request a detailed cost breakdown and an impact assessment before approval [2][3]. The reference to aligning ETIAS fees with the UK and US schemes was challenged, emphasizing that fees should reflect the EU system's actual operational needs and not be based on unrelated schemes without clear rationale or legal basis [2][3].

The ETIAS, an online travel authorisation system required for visa-exempt non-EU travellers entering the EU’s Schengen Area, is expected to become operational by late 2026 [1][3][4]. The coalition of travel and tourism sector associations, including Airlines for Europe (A4E), European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Association (ECTAA), European Regions Airline Association (ERA), European Tourism Association (ETOA), European Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés (HOTREC), The Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA), World Road Transport Organisation (IRU), and European Federation of Rural Tourism (RURALTOUR), is urging the European Commission to publish an impact assessment justifying the proposed fee increase [2][3].

The coalition emphasizes the importance of maintaining Europe’s competitiveness as a global travel destination. The travel and tourism sector delivers valuable export revenue which can fund investment. The industry suggests that any surplus revenue collected through ETIAS should be assigned to a specific budget line or earmarked for the travel and tourism sector [2][3].

Vicky Karantzavelou, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of our website Media Network, has a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

[1] European Commission Proposes ETIAS Fee Increase to €20 [2] Travel and Tourism Industry Urges Rejection of Proposed ETIAS Fee Increase [3] European Tourism Sector Faces Challenges Amid Proposed ETIAS Fee Hike [4] ETIAS to Become Operational in Late 2026

  1. The travel and tourism industry, represented by associations like Airlines for Europe, European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Association, and European Tourism Association, has urged the European Commission to publish an impact assessment justifying the proposed increase in ETIAS fees from €7 to €20.
  2. The industry argues that the fee hike is disproportionate, especially considering the challenges faced by Europe's tourism sector from geopolitical instability, high inflation, and rising operational costs.
  3. Travel leaders criticize the European Commission for insufficient evidence justifying the high proposed fee and request a detailed cost breakdown and an impact assessment before approval.
  4. The coalition emphasizes that any surplus revenue collected through ETIAS should be assigned to a specific budget line or earmarked for the travel and tourism sector, as it delivers valuable export revenue that can fund investment.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest