Holidays to Europe will cost more if EU proposals to increase its planned entry fee go ahead.
Currently, plans are for holidaymakers from outside the bloc to pay €7 (£5.98) for an online permit when entering as part of the Etias scheme.
The system is due to be rolled out from next year, following the introduction of the Entry/Exit System, which will eventually require biometric data to be provided at the border.
But the European Union is considering raising the price to help with repayments on a €350 billion (£299 billion) debt used to fund the post-Covid recovery, according to Politico.
Etias, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is emerging as one of the most popular tax options ahead of budget proposals next month, the publication said.
This would be a further blow to Brits, who already face longer queues and more red tape since Brexit.
‘A possible adjustment of the fee’ is being considered, a European Commission spokesperson told Politico.
And a note seen by the website saw the Polish rotating Council presidency write: ‘It seems that there is a possibility of a gradual increase of the fee, strengthening the long-term revenue potential.’
Those entering Europe’s Schengen Area may have to pay more than the expected €7 (£5.98) fee
‘It seems that there is a possibility of a gradual increase of the fee, strengthening the long-term revenue potential,’ according to a note seen by Politico
The European Union is considering raising the price to help with repayments on a €350 billion (£299 billion) debt
A spokesperson for the European Commission told the Daily Mail: ‘Preparations for the launch of ETIAS are ongoing.
‘The ETIAS Regulation, adopted in 2018, established a fee of 7 euros for each application, valid for a period of three years.
‘The Commission is assessing a possible adjustment of the fee. This takes into account the rise in inflation since 2018, the additional technical functionalities added to the system, as well as the need to ensure a level playing field with similar global travel authorisation programmes.’
The proposed €7 fee is cheaper than the £16 charged to apply for the UK’s version, the Electronic Travel Authorisation, or the $21 (£15.60) price of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization used by the US.
The news comes at a time of softening of relations between the UK and EU, with hopes that tourists will face easier experiences at passport control and suffer less bureaucracy on the continent.
British tourists have begun using e-gates at Faro Airport after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed an agreement with EU leaders last month.
However, they are still facing queues of nearly half an hour.
Mark Francois, Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford as well as chairman of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers, is unhappy with any potential price rise for the Etias.
‘This just adds insult to injury over the Government’s so-called Brexit reset,’ he told GB News.
‘Not only has it become apparent that promises of British tourists being fast-tracked through e-gates in EU countries were largely illusory, even when they do get through immigration, they will now pay extra for the privilege.’
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