The European Union is weighing plans to increase the entry charge for British and other non-EU tourists, in an effort to help pay down its €350 billion debt from pandemic-era lockdowns. The current €7 (£5.98) fee under the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) could be raised as Brussels explores ways to strengthen its long-term revenues. The proposal, which would affect travellers from over 60 visa-free countries including the UK and US, is gaining traction ahead of the European Commission’s formal budget announcement on 16 July. However, Germany has expressed resistance to the move, warning it may discourage travel to the continent.
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Diplomatic sources suggest the idea is being floated as a response to budgetary pressures, with some officials arguing the EU’s fee is still cheaper than those levied by the UK and US. Britain charges £16 for its ETA and the US $21 (around £15.61) for an ESTA. Despite these comparisons, the proposed increase risks reigniting Brexit tensions, particularly following criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s “reset” deal with Brussels. Critics have labelled the agreement as a capitulation, especially after reports of a controversial fishing agreement that could see European fleets continue to operate in British waters until 2038.
Concerns are also mounting over practical implications for British tourists. Since Brexit, many have faced delays at EU border checkpoints, though Labour leader Starmer has suggested the new arrangements will eventually restore access to e-gates. Mark Francois, chair of the European Research Group, condemned the EU’s proposal as a “tourist tax” and argued it undermines the benefits of post-Brexit independence. He added that not only are border delays persisting, but British travellers now face the prospect of paying even more simply to enter European destinations.
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Meanwhile, cities across Europe are grappling with how to manage tourist influxes more broadly. While France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced higher Louvre ticket prices for British and other non-EU visitors to fund a £671 million refurbishment, cities such as Bruges and Amsterdam have rejected calls for a Brexit-specific tourist tax. However, places like Venice and Barcelona are trialling their own solutions, including visitor charges and crackdowns on short-term holiday lets, amid fears of overtourism and spiralling housing costs. The ETIAS scheme, now delayed until 2025, will ultimately incorporate biometric screening and digital border tracking to replace physical passport stamping.
