EU tax on non-EU tourists

[Aviador]

From November, the British and other non-EU visitors to EU countries will need to purchase a new ETIAS visa before entering an EU country. The new tax will initially cost €7 per person which will need to be paid prior to departure.

Juan Molas, the president of Spain’s Tourism Board, has expressed his concern saying it will hit the country’s competitiveness as a tourist destination when it comes into effect in November.

British citizens can apply for ETIAS online
ETIAS is valid for arrival to Europe by air, sea or overland
#Travellers have an e-passport that is machine readable
ETIAS is for short tourist, business, transit and medical visits
Applicants under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 will receive their #ETIAS free of charge.

Who Needs ETIAS?

Find out who needs ETIAS to visit Europe’s Schengen Area in 2026. Check the country list and key rules before you travel.

etias.com

 

[Jerry]

I think the UK is introducing it's own version I believe and the USA and Canada have had one for a while now.

 

[Aviador]

I don't know if Turkey still does but some years ago when I went through Dalaman airport they were charging £20 I think it was. I remember them asking for a crispy new note, no old looking ones. I don't agree with any country or block charging fees like this to be honest. If you think of the amount of money which tourists spend adding to the local economy.
#ETIAS

 

[Kevin Farnell]

It was the same when I visited New Zealand (at least the first time). You weren't allowed out of the country unless you had a receipt showing that you had paid an 'exit tax'. I can understand countries wanting to check who is entering (via visas) and if there is a charge to cover costs then I suppose it's OK. But, if it's just to extract more money from visitors, then I think it's immoral. If I know I'm going to be charged £20 before departing, then that's £20 that I wont be spending in gift shops, bars or restaurants etc.

 

[KARFA]

This was supposed to come in last year, then postponed to early this year, now November. I won’t hold my breath. In the meantime my passport is getting filled up because the EU with all its resources can only monitor how long you stay by using old world tech of stamps.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

This was supposed to come in last year, then postponed to early this year, now November. I won’t hold my breath. In the meantime my passport is getting filled up because the EU with all its resources can only monitor how long you stay by using old world tech of stamps.

Bureaucrats are probably still waiting their orders from above about what to do. It'll involve some form of digital ID and other controlling element. Don't worry the undemocratic EU, evil rotten and corrupt to its core EU, will find a way of taking away more freedoms from everyone.

 

[Aviador]

I don't agree with your point about corruption and I don't agree with your point about freedoms. The EU freedom of travel was taken away from us when we left the EU. We voted for that so you can't blame them for what we have done. In anycase although I don't agree with the new charge, there are plenty of other countries around the world that have an entry charge.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

We voted for that so you can't blame them for what we have done. In anycase although I don't agree with the new charge, there are plenty of other countries around the world that have an entry charge.

I was more getting at the stamps. Eventually they'll move to a technocratic way of doing this which will track everyones movements in and around the EU. Including the EU citizens themselves.

Personally I'd be advising everyone to get as many European stamps as possible before it all moves onto your iPhone.

However I agree - all countries are doing this. Be it collection at the airport or collection through hotels. I'd like to know what it gets spent on if I'm honest.

 

[Silvercity]

I don't agree with your point about corruption and I don't agree with your point about freedoms. The EU freedom of travel was taken away from us when we left the EU. We voted for that so you can't blame them for what we have done. In anycase although I don't agree with the new charge, there are plenty of other countries around the world that have an entry charge.

Its true we voted for it, or some did, so we have to accept the laws now being out of the EU block. Bet many never thought of that when they picked 'leave '.

 

[KARFA]

yes because when people voted to leave the EU there can have been no understanding that we would leave the EU eh?

how patronising.

 

[Aviador]

Every five years or whatever it is these days we have a general election where people frequently change their mind and vote differently to the previous time they voted. I don't understand why that shouldn't apply to the EU decision too. If the vote was taken today I'm sure there would be a sizable number of people who would vote differently now to what they did previously. That would still be democratic. In fact the idea that you can't change your mind is more undemocratic. Moving forward we have to deal with the cards we are delt, but we should also never say never. I have to admit, after reading what Rushi said about Northern Ireland made me laugh, "Northern Ireland is in an unbelievablely special position of having access to the EU single market". Seriously, you can't make this up.

 

[KARFA]

So we potentially join and leave the EU every 5 years? What a ridiculous idea. What kind of stability does provide for anything long term.

The convention for constitutional changes is completely different than a GE. Generally you expect on the same question not to revote for at least 20/25 years again if that. If there was a vote to join the EU tomorrow only the deluded believe there would be a majority in favour of yes, and that assumes our old deal is available which it won’t be. I say this as someone who voted remain, but has accepted I lost and think we need to move on and work with being outside the EU.

I also don’t feel the need to be patronising to people who voted to leave, and I don’t assume they were all stupid and didn’t have a clue what they were voting for - as if all remainers made fully informed about all issues anyway. There are some very sore losers out there still.

Maybe in 30 years there will be a mood to have referendum to rejoin, but certainly little before then, and it really does depend on what form the EU. At the end of the day no serious political party is advocating rejoining the EU as they all realise it is not a vote winner.

 

[Jerry]

yes because when people voted to leave the EU there can have been no understanding that we would leave the EU eh?

how patronising.

No one knew what the future relationship with the EU would be, so there couldn't be an understanding of what leaving the EU would truly entitle.

 

[KARFA]

Here we go. No one knows the future form of the EU either.

Same old patronising rubbish, the poor ignorant people didn‘t know what they were voting for so it’s not really a legitimate vote so let’s just reverse it or make them vote again until they get it right.

I don’t know how a democrat can advocate such anti democratic views with a straight face.

 

[Aviador]

No one knew what the future relationship with the EU would be, so there couldn't be an understanding of what leaving the EU would truly entitle.

Watching Sky News today it would suggest we still don't.

 

[Jerry]

I don’t know how a democrat can advocate such anti democratic views with a straight face.

Did I say reverse it? No. I do believe that there should've been a referendum on old Boris's oven ready deal and I do think there needs to be a debate and future votes on single market and a customs union with the EU because whether certain people like it or not they're our biggest trading partner, but no I don't think it'll be reversed because I don't any of the main English political parties would have the guts to put joining the EU in their manifesto especially Labour.
I do think Northern Ireland having access to the single market while GB doesn't will create questions.

 

[Aviador]

@Jerry do you mean the Boris deal of all deals, the one that came from the land of unicorns and sunlit uplands.

I do think Northern Ireland having access to the single market while GB doesn't will create questions.

You're right. It's a classic case of we told you so. What we face is growing tensions in Northern Ireland. The politicians knew this during the campaign but continued to press ahead for their own personal gain rather.

 

[Jerry]

@Jerry do you mean the Boris deal of all deals, the one that came from the land of unicorns and sunlit uplands.


You're right. It's a classic case of we told you so. What we face is growing tensions in Northern Ireland. The politicians knew this during the campaign but continued to press ahead for their own personal gain rather.

Yep the oven ready deal that wasn't oven ready!
With Northern Ireland it's going to get questions of if it's good enough for them why not us? Especially from Scotland and Wales.

 

[Seasider]

Why are we discussing this? It has changed from a discussion on an EU tourist tax to a discussion on whether we should have come out of the EU.

We, as a nation, decide what to tax, so does every other one. If you don't agree with a tourist tax the answer is simple - don't go.