The EU is set to charge British travellers even more money, as they look to increase tax receipts across the bloc. British tourists heading to the continent will soon have to pay a small fee under the ETIAS system.
In order to gain visa free access to the EU, Brits and citizens from several other non-EU countries originally faced a €7 (£6) charge from the last quarter of 2026. However, European bureaucrats now want to almost triple the fee to €20 (£17) in order to raise additional funds. The proposal accompanies the presentation of the EU’s long-term budget for the period 2028–2034.
Officials in Brussels want to generate significant revenue increases through taxes collected at EU level.
The proposed rise in ETIAS fees is forecast to allow Brussels to bag at least €300 million (£259 million) per year.
The proposal has been submitted to the Council and the European Parliament for approval. Unlike other taxes, the increase in the ETIAS fee does not require unanimous approval by all EU member states.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will become mandatory for non-EU travellers, including those from Britain, entering Schengen Area countries. Once in place, nationals of 59 countries and territories who do not need a visa to travel to any of the 30 European countries, will have to apply for an ETIAS travel permit before starting their trip.
These can be applied for online or through an app. Normally it should take just a few minutes for the applications to be processed, but in some cases it may take longer – so travellers are advised to apply at least a month before their planned trip.
The EU has said there will be at least a six-month transitional period once the system becomes operational.
Visitors will still be allowed entry to the Schengen Area even without an ETIAS, as long as they meet other requirements, during this period of grace.
In a major concession to travellers, officials have now confirmed that even when the grace period runs out, visitors without an ETIAS and who are entering Europe for the first time after the end of the transition – will still be admitted, as long as they meet other entry requirements.
ETIAS permits will be valid for three years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first.