Accommodation New Zealand introduces
Starting in late 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, Brazil, the UK, and Australia will be required to obtain an online authorization for entry into European Union nations. This new system, known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is set to charge a fee of twenty-one dollars and eighty cents for this authorization. The change aims to streamline security and ensure smoother entry processes for travelers entering the EU.
The ETIAS system will allow non-EU travelers from countries like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the UK, and Australia to apply for travel clearance online before setting foot in any EU nations like Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. This move is designed to improve safety measures, reduce border control wait times, and enhance coordination between countries. With this shift, travelers will no longer need to undergo lengthy visa application procedures. Instead, they will be able to complete the necessary formalities electronically, in a more convenient and efficient manner.
However, the twenty-one dollars and eighty cents fee has sparked mixed reactions. Critics argue that this added cost, combined with existing travel expenses, could discourage some travelers. Still, supporters believe the fee is justified, given the improvements to security and the overall travel experience. As the implementation date approaches, all eyes will be on how this change affects travel patterns and how the European Union responds to any concerns raised by travelers and the tourism industry.
In 2025, the European travel industry is facing another challenge: the proposed increase in the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) fee from €7 to €20 i.e. $21.80 USD. Travel leaders across Europe are raising concerns about the fairness and impact of this hike, which they argue could negatively affect competitiveness and add to the rising costs already burdening families. As more international travelers prepare for the new entry system, the industry is calling for transparency and a more reasonable fee increase that reflects the actual operational needs of the system.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to begin operations in late 2025. It will require non-EU travelers from countries like the United States, Canada, the UK, Brazil, and Australia to apply for online authorization before entering the EU. The ETIAS system aims to improve security and streamline the entry process for travelers from visa-exempt countries. The EU nations are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
However, a proposed increase in the fee from €7 to €20 has sparked significant backlash from the European travel industry. Leading travel associations, including the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA) and Airlines for Europe (A4E), have criticized the move as unjustified and excessive. They argue that the increase goes against the initial intentions set during the 2018 negotiations and will harm the EU’s travel competitiveness.
The European travel industry, already grappling with rising operational costs, inflation, and labor shortages, views the fee increase as another burden on both travelers and businesses. According to industry leaders, while the individual increase in the fee may seem small, it will contribute to the overall rise in travel costs for families and business travelers alike.
The fee increase, they argue, would add to an already complex and expensive process for travelers. The ETIAS, while beneficial for safety and security, is unlikely to deliver significant improvements in the user experience to justify the higher fee.
The introduction of ETIAS is part of a broader effort to enhance security across the European Union. While travelers from countries like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the UK, and Australia do not need a visa to visit most EU nations, this new requirement will allow European authorities to pre-screen visitors to ensure they do not pose a security threat.
The system will also help to simplify border control procedures, making the entry process smoother for travelers. It will allow for faster and more efficient processing, reducing wait times at immigration checkpoints. The ETIAS is expected to be a crucial part of Europe’s broader effort to keep borders secure while still facilitating the easy movement of people.
For travelers from the United States, Canada, Brazil, the UK, and Australia, the introduction of ETIAS represents a major shift in how they will enter European countries. Although these travelers currently do not need a visa for short stays, the ETIAS system will add an extra layer of security and pre-screening. While it’s not a visa, travelers will need to apply for ETIAS online before their trip.
The application process is designed to be quick and straightforward. Most applicants will receive approval within minutes, although some may need additional documentation, which could take up to 30 days to process. This means travelers will need to plan ahead and apply well before their travel date to avoid delays.
The ETIAS authorization will be linked to a traveler’s passport, and they will need to carry this passport when traveling to the EU. The authorization is expected to be valid for multiple entries into the Schengen Area and other participating countries for up to three years, as long as the traveler’s passport remains valid.
While the application process is expected to be relatively simple, the main concern for many travelers is the additional cost. The proposed ETIAS fee is set at €20 (approximately $21.80 USD) for travelers aged 18 to 70. While the fee is relatively small, it could add up for families or travelers visiting multiple countries. However, the fee is intended to cover the cost of operating the system and ensure that the process remains efficient and secure.
The cost for applying for ETIAS has been set at €20 for most travelers between the ages of 18 and 70. This is a one-time fee that must be paid when applying for authorization. The fee is expected to cover the costs of maintaining the ETIAS system and ensuring its security features are up to date. Travelers under 18 and over 70 will not be required to pay the fee.
While the fee may seem like an added expense, it is still relatively low compared to the cost of a visa application. For travelers from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the UK, and Australia, ETIAS is designed to make travel easier while maintaining safety and security across European borders. It also ensures that travelers are pre-screened, reducing the chances of delays or complications at border control.
The application process for ETIAS will be entirely online, making it easier and faster for travelers to apply. The first step in the process will be filling out an online form with personal details, such as name, nationality, travel dates, and passport information. Travelers will also need to answer a series of security-related questions, including whether they have been involved in criminal activities or pose a security risk.
Once the application is submitted, most travelers will receive their authorization within minutes. However, some applications may require additional review or documentation, which could take up to 30 days. It’s recommended that travelers apply for ETIAS well in advance of their trip to avoid any last-minute issues.
Once approved, travelers will receive their ETIAS authorization, which they will need to present when entering any participating European country. The authorization will be electronically linked to their passport, so there will be no need for additional documents when arriving in the EU.
There are a few exemptions to the ETIAS requirement. Travelers under the age of 18 and those over 70 will not need to pay the application fee. Additionally, certain categories of travelers, such as diplomats, may be exempt from the ETIAS requirement.
While the system applies to most non-EU citizens traveling to the Schengen Area and other participating European countries, travelers with valid visas or residence permits will not need to apply for ETIAS.
The introduction of ETIAS will likely have several effects on the European travel industry. For one, it may help to streamline border control processes, making it easier for travelers to enter the EU. However, the added cost and administrative requirements may discourage some travelers, especially families or individuals planning long stays in multiple European countries.
On the other hand, the system is also expected to help improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorized entry into the EU. This could make European destinations more attractive to travelers seeking a secure environment, especially in light of global security concerns.
Some critics have raised concerns that the ETIAS fee, combined with rising travel costs in Europe, could make the region less appealing to tourists. However, supporters argue that the system will ultimately benefit both travelers and the European Union by ensuring smoother, safer travel across the continent.
One of the primary concerns raised by the travel industry is the impact of these rising costs on families. With overnight taxes climbing in popular cities like Barcelona and Lisbon, the additional €13 hike in the ETIAS fee is likely to make travel more expensive for families, especially those planning trips to multiple European destinations.
While the fee increase is intended to fund upgrades to the ETIAS system, such as stronger encryption, better automation, and coordination with other EU systems, many in the travel industry argue that the hike does not align with the real operational needs of the system.
Another major concern for the travel industry is the lack of transparency around the proposed fee increase. Travel associations have pointed out that the European Commission has not provided sufficient evidence to justify why such a high fee is necessary to operate and maintain the ETIAS system.
This lack of clarity has led travel associations to call for a thorough impact assessment by the European Commission, including a detailed cost breakdown. They also urged the European Parliament and the Council to adopt a more evidence-based and proportionate fee.
The European Union has defended the proposed fee increase, citing higher operational costs and the need to align with international travel standards. The EU has emphasized that the increase will help fund necessary improvements to the ETIAS system, including stronger encryption, enhanced automation, and better coordination with other EU travel systems like the Entry/Exit System (EES).
The European Commission has argued that these upgrades are necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the system and to maintain the security of EU borders. However, the travel industry remains unconvinced, arguing that the increase in fees should be more transparent and justifiable based on real operational needs rather than an attempt to align with unrelated travel authorization schemes, such as the UK ETA.
In light of these concerns, industry leaders are calling for a more transparent and justified approach to fee-setting. They emphasize that fee increases should reflect the actual costs of operating and maintaining the system, not be based on comparisons with unrelated schemes. Many feel that the proposed fee hike is an attempt to meet international travel standards without sufficient evidence to prove that such a large increase is necessary.
The industry’s response highlights a larger issue: the need for the EU to base its decisions on clear, transparent data and to avoid imposing additional burdens on travelers and businesses without adequate justification.
The proposed ETIAS fee increase is just one of many rising costs that European travel companies are facing. In addition to the ETIAS fee hike, travelers are also dealing with soaring costs in various European cities due to increased taxes and inflation. This combination of rising fees and operational costs is putting pressure on the EU’s competitiveness in the global travel market.
As U.S. tourists and travelers from other non-EU countries continue to seek affordable and accessible vacation options, the travel industry fears that Europe could become less attractive as a destination. This could lead to a decline in the number of international visitors, which would have a negative impact on the region’s economy.
In response to these concerns, some travel leaders are suggesting alternatives to the proposed fee hike. For example, some have suggested that the EU explore other funding models, such as implementing a moderate fee increase or finding other revenue sources to support the system’s costs.
Another alternative is to reassess the necessity of certain planned upgrades to the ETIAS system, particularly those that may not provide immediate benefits to travelers. By focusing on cost-effective improvements that offer tangible benefits, the EU could minimize the impact of the fee increase on tourists while still maintaining security and efficiency.
As the proposed fee increase continues to generate debate, it remains to be seen how the EU will respond to the concerns raised by the travel industry. If the fee hike is implemented, it could have significant implications for the European travel market, potentially making the region less appealing to international visitors.
The travel industry will continue to monitor the situation closely, advocating for a more balanced approach to fee-setting and working with the European Commission to ensure that the ETIAS system operates efficiently without burdening travelers with unnecessary costs.
The proposed increase in the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20 has sparked strong reactions from the European travel industry, with leaders criticizing the move as disproportionate and unjustified. As European cities face rising costs and operational challenges, the fee hike is seen as yet another burden on travelers. Industry leaders are calling for transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and a more reasonable fee increase that reflects the actual needs of the ETIAS system. The outcome of this debate will have a significant impact on Europe’s competitiveness as a travel destination, particularly for U.S. and other international visitors.
