European tour operators against the increase of the fee for the ETIAS system from 7 to 20 euros

Brussels – Associations of European airlines and the tourism sector opposed the European Commission’s proposal to increase the fee for the ETIAS system from the initially proposed seven to 20 euros. 

According to the regulation for the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, all citizens of third countries that are not EU members and who do not need a visa for short stays in the Union states, including Macedonian citizens, will need to submit an online application for authorization and pay the appropriate fee before traveling to the bloc or the Schengen area. 

Initially, this fee was set at seven euros, but now the European Commission proposes it to be 20 euros.  The associations of tour operators expressed “deep concern” over this proposal and called on the European Parliament and the European Council not to accept the proposed increase in the fee.  They demand an assessment of the justification for this cost and to determine a “more appropriate fee based on relevant evidence.” 

– Although the fee may represent a small part of the total travel costs, the cumulative impact of that amount on families is not negligible, especially considering the broader context of rising accommodation prices, states a joint statement from several organizations. 

The statement points out that the increase in the fee “seems inappropriate” and that the entire proposal process “lacks transparency.” The associations are calling for the EU Commission to publish a “detailed cost review” and to propose alternative amounts for the fee, such as 10 or 12 euros. 

The European Commission explains this proposal by “the increase in inflation” and additional costs related to “the technical characteristics of the system.” 

According to the EC, the proposed fee of 20 euros is in line with similar programs in other countries, such as the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for which a fee of 16 pounds (18.4 euros) is charged and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), for which the fee is 21 dollars (17.8 euros). 

However, according to tour operators, the Commission’s reference to fees for similar systems in other countries “represents a worrying precedent.”  – Decisions on the amount of the fee should reflect the actual operational needs of the EU system and be fully justified. They should not aim to align with unrelated systems without clear justification and legal basis, states the reaction. 

The associations also demand that the surplus from the collection of the ETIAS system fee be used to support the tourism sector, including for the renovation and modernization of tourism infrastructure, staff training, and for the implementation of sustainable development initiatives. (July 25, 2025)