European tourism sector urges rethink over proposed ETIAS fee hike from €7 to €20

The European travel and tourism industry has raised serious concerns about the European Commission’s recent proposal to increase the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) fee from €7 to €20 per application. This nearly threefold rise comes despite the original €7 fee being agreed by co-legislators in 2018 after consultation with the sector.

ETIAS, set to launch in late 2026, will require visa-exempt non-EU travellers to obtain an online travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. While the €20 fee may seem modest in the context of a single trip, industry bodies argue that for families and frequent travellers, the impact is more significant, especially when added to rising overnight taxes and inflationary pressures.

The industry believes the proposed fee is disproportionate and poorly justified. “This increase appears disproportionate and runs counter to the original intention of the co-legislators,” the coalition said. Concerns have also been raised over the lack of transparency, with no published assessment of whether lower alternatives such as €10 or €12 were considered.

There is further concern about using other systems such as the UK ETA or US ESTA as pricing benchmarks. “Fee decisions should reflect the actual operational needs of the EU system and be fully justified,” the industry said, adding that alignment with non-EU schemes should not be used as a pricing model without clear legal and financial rationale.

In response, the coalition is calling for three key actions:

• The European Commission should publish a full impact assessment justifying the €20 fee, including a detailed cost breakdown and evidence of consideration of alternative models.
• The Council and European Parliament should reject the current proposal in favour of a more proportionate and evidence-based fee.
• Any surplus revenue generated by ETIAS should be channelled back into the tourism sector, ideally via the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Funds could be directed towards infrastructure, staff training, and sustainable tourism initiatives.

While the industry supports the principles of secure, smart, and efficient borders, it warns against adding unnecessary burdens on travellers. Maintaining Europe’s appeal as a global tourism destination requires careful balancing of safety, competitiveness, and affordability.

The statement is backed by A4E, ECTAA, ERA, ETOA, HOTREC, IAAPA, IRU, and RURALTOUR.

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