IATA has publicly opposed the UK's plan to raise the ETA fee by 60% only days after the system's wider introduction. The group says the move clashes with tourism growth goals and adds another cost on top of existing air travel taxes.
Airlines are warning that the UK's planned ETA fee increase could make the country less competitive for international visitors. The criticism comes just as the new digital travel permission is being introduced more widely.
The UK is preparing to increase the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation from £10 to £16, while exempting some transit passengers. The proposed change has triggered concern across the travel industry and could affect how visitors plan UK trips in 2025.
As the UK prepares to roll out its Electronic Travel Authorisation for European travellers, leading figures in the travel industry are pushing back — warning that introducing multiple border systems at once could cause widespread confusion.
When ETIAS launches, you will not need to submit the application yourself. A trusted person or travel agent can do it on your behalf — but there are important safeguards to follow.
When ETIAS launches, you will not need to submit the application yourself. A trusted person or travel agent can do it on your behalf — but there are important safeguards to follow.
ETIAS applications can be completed by a travel agent, friend or relative, but the traveller remains responsible for the information submitted. The official rules focus on trust, written authorisation and transparency over fees.
Europe is moving toward a new pre-travel authorization system for many non-EU visitors. ETIAS is not a visa, but it will add a mandatory online step before short trips to the Schengen Area.
The EU plans to require ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-free visitors such as UK nationals before entering most of the Schengen area. Travellers should understand the fee, validity period, and the uncertain enforcement window alongside the separate EES rollout.
In August 2024, European Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that the Entry/Exit System was on track for a November 2024 start, with ETIAS to follow six months later. This article reflects the reporting at that time — note that the EES eventually launched in October 2025 and the ETIAS fee was confirmed at €20, not the €7 cited here.