EU Plans Higher Entry Fees for British, US Tourists to Repay Covid Debt

The European Union is considering raising the entry fees for travelers from 61 visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, to help repay a €350 billion recovery loan taken out following the COVID-19 pandemic. This potential increase would affect the current €7 fee associated with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), set to begin in late 2026, and could lead to tensions with countries like the UK, whose travelers already face longer passport checks post-Brexit. While some EU members like Germany oppose the hike, fearing it may discourage tourism, others view it as a necessary step to bolster long-term revenue streams. The proposed fee increase is part of broader EU budget negotiations and aims to reflect inflation since the original fee was set in 2018. British politicians have criticized the move as an additional burden amid ongoing Brexit-related travel challenges, with comparisons noting that the EU fee remains lower than equivalent charges in the UK and US. Overall, the fee adjustment is seen as a symbolic measure within the EU's broader efforts to manage pandemic-related debt repayments.