Tourism
Press release
HOTREC has joined a coalition of leading European travel and tourism associations to express serious concern over the European Commission’s recent proposal to increase the ETIAS travel authorisation fee from €7 to €20 per application.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), set to become operational in late 2026, will require visa-exempt non-EU travellers to obtain an online travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. While the system aims to strengthen security and streamline border management, the proposed fee increase, nearly triple the original amount agreed by co-legislators in 2018, has prompted widespread concern from across the industry.
Marie Audren, Director General of HOTREC, commented:
“Europe’s hospitality sector fully supports the objective of secure and efficient borders. However, the proposed tripling of the ETIAS fee raises serious concerns about proportionality and transparency. We urge the European Parliament and the Council to reject the proposal and demand evidence-based justification. Any surplus revenue should be reinvested into strengthening the tourism ecosystem.”
The industry coalition is calling for:
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An impact assessment from the European Commission justifying the proposed fee and explaining whether alternative pricing models (e.g. €10 or €12) were considered
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The Council and European Parliament to reject the €20 proposal in favour of a more proportionate, evidence-based fee
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Any surplus ETIAS revenue to be earmarked for tourism infrastructure, staff training, and sustainability initiatives under the next EU budget
The travel and tourism sector contributes significantly to Europe’s economy, supporting millions of jobs and generating vital export revenue. As Europe seeks to remain a competitive and welcoming destination for international travellers, HOTREC believes that any new administrative burden must be carefully weighed against its impact on travellers and the industry at large.
