European Travel to Become Payable: EU Introduces ETIAS
Starting from 2024, journeys to Europe will come with a price tag. The ETIAS program, akin to a visa waiver system, will grant entry to EU countries for as low as $7.70, reports CNN.
ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, is a pre-registration system for visitors from non-visa EU entry countries. However, even those requiring visas for EU entry will need ETIAS.
The program joins the array of fees for accommodations and "tourist taxes" already collected across Europe.
Initially slated for a May 2023 launch, ETIAS has seen multiple postponements. Now, it appears to be set for a debut in early 2024.
The ETIAS authorization will be mandatory for citizens of around 60 non-EU countries currently enjoying visa-free entry. This includes countries like the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE. EU residents are exempt from this requirement, irrespective of their nationality.
ETIAS will operate similarly to the US ESTA program. Travellers will need to obtain authorization before their trip through a straightforward online process.
The registration fee will be €7 (approximately $7.70) and will cover multiple entries within three years or until your passport's expiry, whichever comes first. This is cheaper than the $21 fee for the US ESTA, valid for two years.
Currently, most major European cities levy a "tourist tax" on overnight visitors. These nominal sums, typically a few euros, are added to your bill at the end of your stay.
Typically, these taxes contribute to the upkeep of public services affected by tourists, such as waste removal and street cleaning. You pay per night, wherever you stay. Tourism poses a considerable burden on destinations, often in countries and regions less affluent than the tourists themselves.
A notable exception had been the UK, but that is changing as well. In March 2023, Manchester became the first British city to implement a £1 (approximately $1.30) nightly tax.
Some European cities have also introduced an arrival tax for cruise passengers. Cruises, as known, have environmental impacts and also offer little expenditure in their port stops, as services are already provided on board.