The time is coming: as of 2024, No longer be free to travel to Europe.
The ETIAS visa waiver program will allow entry to European Union countries starting at US$ 7.70.
As the name suggests, it is not a visa, but a system for people from countries that do not require a visa to enter Europe to pre-register their visits. Those who currently need visas to enter will continue to need them.
While many U.S. citizens seem shocked by the move, they may be surprised that the ETIAS system is modeled after the ESTA visa waiver program introduced in 2009 by the United States. And, of course, citizens of many countries need “real” visas to travel to EU countries, which is a lengthy and costly process.
ETIAS will add to the myriad of accommodation and “tourist” fees already charged throughout Europe. Here’s what you need to know about them.
When will ETIAS come into force?
Initially scheduled for May 2023, ETIAS has been delayed several times, but now appears to be on track to enter into force in 2024.
Who needs ETIAS clearance?
Citizens of about 60 countries outside the European Union that currently do not need a visa to enter, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. EU residents are exempt, regardless of their nationality.
On the other hand, those who currently need visas to enter will continue to need them.
How will it work?
ETIAS will operate similarly to the U.S. ESTA program. Travelers will need to apply for permission to enter the European Union prior to their trip through a simple online process.
It will cost 7 euros (US$7.70) and will cover multiple entries for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It is cheaper than the ESTA, which costs US$21 for two years.
According to the European Union, applications will be processed in “minutes” and the vast majority within 96 hours. “Some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to 30 days longer,” they warn. It is suggested not to book flights or accommodation until you have confirmation.
For more details, check the official ETIAS website here, using third parties may incur additional costs.
What other tourist taxes are there in Europe?
Most cities in continental Europe charge a “tourist tax” to tourists staying overnight. These are usually a few euros that are added to the bill at the end of the stay, although sometimes they must be paid in cash. If you are staying in an Airbnb, the hosts usually charge you on arrival.
Taxes are often earmarked to cushion public services affected by visitors, such as garbage collection and street cleaning. Amsterdam, for example, recently earmarked an extra 7 million euros for its public transport network. In addition, they are usually charged only for a certain period of time, up to one week. That way, you are rewarded if you stay longer.
The notable exception is the UK, but the situation is changing. Manchester became the first British city to introduce a £1 (US$1.30) tax on overnight stays in March 2023.
Edinburgh looks set to follow in its footsteps, and Wales wants to introduce a “visitor levy” on overnight stays.
What if I don’t stay overnight?
In that case, you’re likely to pay an overnight tax wherever you stay, as most European countries charge such taxes, although they tend to be cheaper in less popular areas. Don’t forget that tourism places a heavy burden on destinations, often in countries and areas considerably poorer than the tourists themselves.
What about cruise ship passengers?
Good question. Cruise ships are notoriously bad for the environment, and cities are inundated with passengers on port days, passengers who spend very little money at the destination because they are already well taken care of on board.
Some cities have reacted by applying arrival fees to cruise passengers. If your ship docks in Barcelona for 12 hours or more, you will pay €4.75 (€3 regional fee and €1.75 city surcharge). Visitors from Amsterdam arriving by cruise ship will pay 8 euros. If your cruise starts or ends in Amsterdam, or if you spend the night in the city, you are exempt.
But it’s not just cruise ships that charge fees for arriving by sea. Italy has the “contributo di sbarco” or disembarkation contribution that non-resident passengers must pay when arriving on the islands, whether by public ferry or private boat. Local authorities set the price.
Are some cities more expensive than others?
Yes, the more popular a place is, the more expensive it will be. If you stay in Barcelona, for example, in addition to Catalonia’s tourist tax, you will have to pay an “urban surcharge” that applies to stays in the region’s capital.
Amsterdam charges 7% of the hotel rate plus 3 euros per person per night.
In Vienna, it is 3.2% of the total room rate, excluding breakfast and sales tax, and then 11% is deducted from the remainder. The result is 2.5%.
In Portugal, three municipalities on the Algarve tourist coast charge the tourist tax: Faro, Vila Real de Santo António and Olhão, which introduced a tax (€1 in winter, €2 in other seasons) in 2023.
The better the accommodation, the more you pay. In Rome, for example, staying in a three-star hotel carries a fee of €4 per night, but a four-star hotel costs €6, and a five-star hotel, €7.
In Venice, the rate goes from 1 euro per person per night in a one-star hotel to 5 euros in a five-star hotel. The rate is only payable for the first five nights, in an attempt to get people to stay longer.
In Paris, it ranges from €0.20 for a one-star hotel to €5 per person per night for a luxury “palais” type hotel.
In France, in general, rates vary according to the municipality and the type of accommodation: from 0.20 euros to 4.20 outside Paris.
While in Greece it is exclusively by type of accommodation, with rates ranging from €0.50 to €4.00 per room per night.
How about the entrance fee to Venice?
The much-discussed “contributo di accesso” or Venice entry fee, which has been repeatedly postponed since it was first proposed for 2019, is now scheduled for 2024. Fees have been announced ranging from €3 on a quiet day to €10 during peak hours.
However, this fee is only for day visitors, who are believed to make up 90% of the number of visitors, contribute little to the local economy, but cause a lot of problems in the city. If you are staying overnight in the city, you will pay the overnight fee and be exempt from the entrance fee.
Does only Europe do this?
No. Many U.S. states charge “lodging taxes,” for starters; in addition, many U.S. hotels add a “resort fee,” which doesn’t even go to the community. Taxes are also common in the Caribbean, where they are often added to hotel rates. Tourists arriving in New Zealand pay an entry tax, and those leaving Japan pay a departure tax.