ECTAA | European Travel Agents Express Concern Over Proposed ETIAS Fee Increase

HATTA (Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies), as a member of ECTAA and its representative in Greece, shares the following press release.

The European travel and tourism sector expresses deep concern over the European Commission’s recent proposal to raise the ETIAS travel authorization fee from €7 to €20 per application — nearly a threefold increase from the original amount agreed in 2018.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), expected to be operational by the end of 2026, will require travelers from non-EU countries who are exempt from visa requirements to obtain electronic travel authorization before entering the EU, and to pay a fee in advance when traveling to the Schengen Area.

The proposed increase raises questions about proportionality and fairness, especially at a time when Europe’s tourism sector continues to face pressures from geopolitical instability, high inflation, and rising operational costs.

While the fee may represent a small share of total travel expenses, its cumulative effect on families is not negligible — particularly in the broader context of rising overnight stay taxes. The proposed increase appears disproportionate and goes against the original intent of the co-legislators (European Parliament and Council), who agreed in 2018 on a moderate and reasonable fee — a key outcome supported by the travel and tourism sector.

The industry is also concerned about the lack of transparency behind the proposed amount and is calling for clarity on whether alternative pricing models (e.g. €10 or €12) were evaluated. So far, no sufficient evidence has been presented to justify the need for such a high level of fees to operate and maintain the ETIAS system.

Moreover, referencing other travel authorization systems (e.g. UK ETA or US ESTA) as pricing benchmarks sets a worrying precedent. Fee decisions should reflect the real operational needs of the EU system and be fully justified. They should not aim to align with unrelated systems without clear rationale and legal basis.

Given these concerns, the travel and tourism industry calls for the following actions:

The European Commission should publish an impact assessment justifying the proposed fee increase, including a detailed cost analysis and confirmation of whether alternative pricing models were considered.

The Council and European Parliament should reject the €20 proposal and demand a more proportionate, evidence-based fee.

Any revenue surplus collected through ETIAS, beyond official system costs, should be earmarked in the budget or ideally allocated to the travel and tourism sector under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Such funding should support tourism infrastructure, workforce training, and sustainable development initiatives.

The travel and tourism sector supports safe, smart, and efficient borders. Inbound tourism contributes valuable export revenues that can fund investment. Financial and administrative burdens on visitors must be carefully balanced to maintain and enhance Europe’s competitiveness as a global travel destination.

Participating Travel & Tourism Industry Associations:

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)

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

International Road Transport Union (IRU)

European Federation of Rural Tourism (RURALTOUR)

About ECTAA:
ECTAA represents the interests of 80,000 travel agents and tour operators across Europe. These businesses provide advisory services and sell transport, accommodation, leisure, and other tourism-related services, as well as combined travel packages, to leisure and business clients.