Increase in ETA visa fees for foreign arrivals in the UK, while simultaneously easing the airport transit rule
Increased ETIAS Fee Sparks Controversy Among European Travel Sector
Starting late 2026, non-EU travellers visiting Europe will face a significant increase in the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) fee, rising from €7 to €20. This nearly threefold hike aims to align ETIAS with global travel authorization systems such as the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US ESTA, funding system operations, security upgrades, and integration with law enforcement databases like Interpol and Europol [2][3].
The new €20 fee will apply to applicants aged 18-70 and covers multiple short-term stays within a three-year period or until passport expiry, whichever comes first [3]. However, this increase has drawn criticism from European travel industry groups, who argue it is disproportionate, unjustified, and risks reducing the continent's travel competitiveness, especially given rising living and travel costs [1]. These groups emphasize that fee decisions should be based on operational needs rather than aligning with unrelated systems like the UK's ETA without clear rationale [1].
In comparison, the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee remains lower, currently set at £10 (approximately €11-12 depending on exchange rates). The UK ETA, which allows multiple entries over its validity, has been used as a benchmark by the EU in proposing the ETIAS fee increase, but European travel associations contest using this as justification, arguing that each system has distinct operational costs and legal frameworks [1].
ETIAS Fee vs. UK ETA Fee
| System | Current Fee | Proposed/Future Fee | Validity | Notes | |-----------------|--------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | ETIAS (EU) | €7 | €20 (from late 2026) | Multiple short stays, 3 years or passport expiry | Increase to enhance security, align with global systems, funded operational costs. Criticised for being disproportionate [1][2][3]. | | UK ETA | £10 (~€11-12) | No change known | Multiple entries during validity | Used as a reference point but legally and operationally distinct from ETIAS, remains cheaper [1]. |
The controversy surrounding the ETIAS fee increase is part of an EU strategy to improve border security and digitization but is controversial among industry stakeholders due to cost concerns [1][2][3]. No information from the search clearly indicates any imminent changes to the UK's ETA fee, suggesting it remains stable while ETIAS fees increase substantially.
UK ETA Updates
- Introduced in late 2023, the ETA system currently applies to visitors from over 50 countries and will extend to European travellers on April 2nd, 2025.
- Passengers who have not completed the ETA application will be denied boarding to their plane/train/ferry.
- The ETA system will be extended to all EU citizens from April, with Irish nationals being the exception.
- The government has agreed to a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside and do not pass through UK border control.
- A full explanation of how the ETA system works can be found here (Note: This is not a fact, but a suggestion for further reading).
[1] European Travel Commission (2023). "ETIAS Fee Increase Sparks Industry Concerns". Retrieved from https://www.etc-corporate.org/news/etias-fee-increase-sparks-industry-concerns
[2] European Parliament (2023). "Proposed ETIAS Fee Increase Examined". Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/ society/202301/1016930/proposed-etiass-fee-increase-examined
[3] European Council (2023). "ETIAS Fee Increase to Enhance Security and Fund Operations". Retrieved from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/01/08/etiass-fee-increase-to-enhance-security-and-fund-operations/
The proposed ETIAS fee increase to €20 from €7 aligns with global travel authorization systems like the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US ESTA, instigating a debate within the European travel industry. Conversely, the fee for the UK ETA remains lower, currently set at £10 (approximately €11-12).
