Breaking: Europe extends travel entry fee exemption until 2025 – Plan your trips now!

Editors Note: Join Unlocking the World, CNN Travels exclusive weekly newsletter. Stay updated on the latest aviation news, food and beverage trends, accommodations, and other travel advancements. The implementation of the anticipated entry fee for travelers visiting Europe has once again been delayed.

The ETIAS visa waiver program, initially scheduled to be effective in 2024, has been postponed to 2025.

On October 19, the EU agency eu-LISA, in charge of the upcoming digital Entry/Exit system and ETIAS, notified ministers of the need for additional implementation time.

The Entry/Exit system, a central database that monitors the entry of non-EU residents into the bloc, is scheduled to be implemented in the latter half of 2024. Subsequently, the ETIAS program will commence in the first half of 2025.

Once operational, ETIAS will provide access to EU countries for a fee of $7.70. It should be noted that ETIAS is not a visa, but rather a registration system designed for visitors from visa-exempt countries wishing to pre-register their trips to Europe. Individuals who currently require visas to enter will still be required to obtain them.

Many US citizens may be taken aback by this decision, but it may come as a surprise to them that the ETIAS system is based on the ESTA visa waiver program, which the United States implemented in 2009. Additionally, it is worth noting that citizens from numerous countries are required to obtain traditional visas for EU countries, a process that not only incurs significant expenses but also consumes a significant amount of time.

ETIAS will soon become another addition to the already existing various accommodation fees and tourist taxes prevalent across Europe. Here's what you need to be aware of regarding these charges.

When will ETIAS come into force?

Originally scheduled to commence in May 2023, the launch of ETIAS has encountered multiple delays, with the latest postponement pushing it back to 2024. However, this date has now been further postponed to 2025. There is no need to fret about registering for your Mediterranean summer of 2025, as advance applications are not yet accepted.

Who needs ETIAS authorization?

The countries outside the European Union, approximately 60 of them, as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE, among others, do not require a visa to enter the EU. This exemption also applies to residents of EU countries, regardless of their nationality.

Those who currently need a visa to enter the EU, on the other hand, will still need a visa.

How will it work?

ETIAS operates similarly to the ESTA program in the United States. Before their trip, travelers are required to apply for authorization to enter the EU through a convenient online procedure. The cost is 7 euros ($7.70), allowing for multiple entries over three years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. This rate is more economical compared to the $21 fee charged for a two-year ESTA.

Europe currently does not require any payment for entry. The EU estimates that applications will be processed within a few minutes, with the majority being completed within 96 hours. However, they caution that certain applicants might be requested to submit extra information or participate in an interview with national authorities, which could take an additional 30 days. Therefore, it is advised to refrain from booking flights or accommodation until receiving confirmation.

For more details, check out the official ETIAS website here - going through third parties may incur extra charges.

What other tourist taxes are there in Europe?

Many cities in mainland Europe now enforce a "tourist tax" on overnight tourists, typically a small additional amount included in your final bill, although sometimes it requires payment in cash. In the case of Airbnb accommodations, hosts often collect this tax upon your arrival. The renowned Italian region is currently implementing limitations on tourists.

Taxes typically contribute to supporting public services that are impacted by visitors, such as garbage collection and street maintenance. For instance, Amsterdam recently allocated an additional 7 million euros to enhance its public transportation system. These taxes are usually imposed for a fixed duration, typically up to a week, offering incentives for longer stays.

An exception is observed in the UK, although this situation is evolving. In March 2023, Manchester became the first UK city to implement a £1 ($1.30) tax on overnight accommodations. It appears that Edinburgh is preparing to follow suit, and Wales is also considering the implementation of a "visitor levy" for overnight stays.

Amsterdam charges a hefty 7% of your room rate in tax.

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What if I dont stay the night?

Then, inevitably, you will encounter an overnight tax in any place you choose to stay, as it is a common practice in most European countries. However, it should be noted that these taxes are usually less expensive in less frequented areas. It is vital to remember that tourism places a significant burden on destinations, especially in countries and regions that are considerably less affluent than the tourists themselves.

What about cruise passengers?

Cruises have a negative impact on the environment and also on the economies of cities they visit. This is because passengers on port days often spend very little money in the destinations, as they are already provided for onboard.

To address this issue, some cities have introduced arrival taxes for cruise passengers. For example, if your ship stays at Barcelona for 12 hours or more, you will be required to pay 4.75 euros (3 euros as a regional fee and 1.75 euros as a city surcharge). In Amsterdam, visitors arriving on a cruise have to pay 8 euros. However, these taxes only apply to cruises that dock for the day. If your cruise starts or ends in Amsterdam, or if you are staying overnight in the city, you are exempt from paying these taxes.

Its not just cruise ships that impose landing taxes for sea arrivals, though. Italy enforces the "contributo di sbarco" or disembarkation contribution on non-resident passengers reaching islands, regardless of whether they travel by public ferry or private boat. Local authorities determine the fee.

Pretty Olhão, in Portugal, introduced a tourist tax in 2023.

Armando Oliveira/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Are some cities more expensive than others?

Indeed, the cost of accommodation correlates with the popularity of the destination. If you choose to stay in Barcelona, for instance, in addition to the standard Catalonia tourist tax, you will also be subject to a "city surcharge" levied on accommodations in the capital region.

In Amsterdam, the hotel fee is calculated as 7% of the rate in addition to 3 euros per person per night.

In Vienna, the hotel fee is 3.2% of the total room rate, not including breakfast and sales tax, with an additional 11% reduction. This amounts to approximately 2.5%.

In Portugal, tourist tax is charged in three municipalities along the popular Algarve coastline: Faro, Vila Real de Santo António, and Olhão. In 2023, Olhão implemented a fee of 1 euro during winter and 2 euros throughout the rest of the year. It's important to note that the tax amount varies based on the luxury level of your accommodation. For instance, in Rome, staying in a three-star hotel incurs a nightly tax of 4 euros, while a four-star hotel is charged 6 euros, and five-star hotels are subject to a 7 euro tax.

In Venice, the tax rate varies for accommodations based on their star rating. It starts at a rate of 1 euro per person per night for a one-star hotel and increases to 5 euros for a five-star hotel. This tax is applicable only for the initial five nights, aiming to encourage longer stays.

Similarly, in Paris, the tax rate varies depending on the type of lodging. It ranges from a modest 0.20 euros for a one-star property and goes up to 5 euros per person per night for a luxurious "palais" hotel.

In France, accommodation charges vary depending on the municipality and the class of accommodation. The prices range from 0.20 euros to 4.20 euros outside of Paris.

In Greece, accommodation charges are solely determined by the type of accommodation. The fees range from 0.50 euros to 4 euros per room per night.

How about that Venice entry fee?

The long-debated "contributo di accesso," an admission fee for Venice, originally scheduled for implementation in 2019, has once again been delayed and is now anticipated to be introduced in 2024. The pricing structure has been revealed, with rates ranging from 3 euros during low-demand periods to 10 euros during peak hours.

However, this fee only applies to individuals visiting for the day, comprising an estimated 90% of the total visitors. Despite making minimal contributions to the local economy, day-trippers often foster numerous issues within the city. If you are staying overnight, you would have already settled the overnight "city tax" and will thus be exempt from this charge.

Does only Europe do this?

In many US states, there are additional charges known as "accommodation taxes" imposed on visitors. Moreover, numerous hotels in the US also include a "resort fee" in their prices, which does not contribute to the local community. Similar taxes are also customary in the Caribbean, often added to hotel bills. Furthermore, tourists entering New Zealand are subject to an entrance tax, while vacationers leaving Japan are required to pay a departure tax.