04
Aug 2025
The European Commission’s plan to nearly triple the ETIAS fee by 2026 has sparked backlash from travel industry leaders.
As visa-exempt travelers prepare to pay €20 instead of the current €7, critics warned that the move could burden families and threaten Europe’s tourism competitiveness.
Travel leaders sound alarm
European travel companies are pushing back hard. Airline and tourism groups—including Airlines for Europe (A4E), the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA), and the European Tourism Association—have called the proposed fee “disproportionate” and “unjustified.”
They said that the new price goes against the original spirit of the 2018 ETIAS agreement, which aimed to balance security with accessibility.
“This increase appears disproportionate and runs counter to the original intention of the co-legislators,” the groups said in a joint statement.
While €13 might seem minor on its own, leaders warned that it piles onto rising costs already straining travelers. Overnight taxes in tourist hubs like Venice, Barcelona, and Lisbon have surged. For families planning vacations, the increase could become a deciding factor.
What ETIAS is and who it targets
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a digital travel permit required for short-term visits to EU countries. It applies to travelers from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and Australia.
Once launched in late 2026, the system will screen passengers for health, migration, and security risks before they board any plane, bus, or boat heading to the Schengen area.
The process is digital and typically takes minutes, using EU databases like Interpol and Europol to flag threats.
The €20 fee will help fund automation upgrades, better encryption, staffing, and integration with the Entry/Exit System (EES). EU officials said that the increase aligns with similar programs like the U.S. ESTA ($21) and UK ETA (£10).
(Image courtesy of Freepik)
Critics question value, transparency
While governments cited higher operating costs, critics said that the EU hasn’t made its case. “Insufficient evidence has been offered to justify that such a fee level is necessary,” the joint travel industry statement read.
Patrick Diemer, chair of the business travel group BT4Europe, noted, “We support secure, efficient entry systems, but only where they deliver real value to travelers and businesses alike. This fee hike sends the wrong signal.”
Leaders argued that comparing ETIAS to unrelated systems like the UK’s ETA ignores the EU’s unique context. They demanded an impact assessment, asking the European Commission to justify the fee with a detailed cost breakdown.
So far, no such report has been made public.
Families, frequent flyers hit hardest
The impact of the increase will be uneven. Children under 18, adults over 70, and certain family members of EU citizens are exempt from the fee.
However, most travelers will pay the new price. A U.S. family of four, for instance, will spend €60 on ETIAS authorization, up from €21 today.
For repeat travelers or businesspeople crossing the Atlantic multiple times a year, the added cost builds quickly. Tour operators feared that the fee could discourage travel and weaken Europe’s post-pandemic recovery.
What happens next
The Council and European Parliament now have two months to review the proposal. They can approve, amend, or delay implementation.
Still, unless significant pushback arises, the €20 fee will kick in once ETIAS becomes fully operational, likely in the final quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, ETIAS remains in a test phase. EU member states continue preparing for a smooth launch, though previous delays raise questions about readiness.
A moment for rethinking travel policy
As Europe builds out its digital borders, it must choose between ease and excess. The current plan leans toward the latter, critics argued, by prioritizing revenue over transparency.
Without clear justification or meaningful consultation, the ETIAS fee hike has become more than a number. It’s a test of how the EU balances safety, fairness, and openness.
Travelers will soon pay more to cross European borders. Whether the experience improves in return remains to be seen.