The European Commission plans to impose an entrance free between 13 and 50 euros for those travelers entering the European Union member-states. According to a EC statement the so called “European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)” will provide additional control over the external EU borders as it will determine whether the travelers pose a security or a migration risk.
“The idea of establishing a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) with similar objectives to the well-known US ‘ESTA’ system was launched by the Commission in April. Creation of such a system provides an additional layer of control over visa-exempt travellers. ETIAS would determine the eligibility of all visa-exempt third country nationals to travel to the Schengen Area, and whether such travel poses a security or migration risk. Information on travellers would be gathered prior to their trip.
The Commission has launched a feasibility study on ETIAS, with results due in October 2016, and based on the results of the study as well as consultations, the Commission intends to present a legislative proposal by November 2016 for the establishment of ETIAS.” (source EC)
The ETIAS will be similar to US ESTA where visa-exempted travelers have to register online and pay a fee.
According to German broadcast Deutsche Welle, for the 30,000,000 visa-exempted non-EU travelers entering EU, it will mean that they will pay 1.5billion euros per year.
Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs, and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said that:
“By strengthening our external borders we will be better prepared for facing severe migratory challenges. Enhancing the exchange of information will enable us to fight terrorism more effectively. To ensure Europe’s security, we need both strong borders and smart intelligence. Measures like the European Border and Coast Guard, the Entry-Exit System and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will help secure Europe’s borders, while strengthening Europol’s role in the effective sharing of information and combatting document fraud are concrete steps towards establishing an effective Security Union.”
I suppose the EC assumes that migrants who pay thousands to illegally cross to countries like Greece will not afford 13 or 50 euro. Or that terrorists’ plans will fail just because an entrance fee.
Unless, the EC eyes the millions of Turkish citizens expected to come to EU once Brussels gives the green light to Erdogan’s demands for “visa-free” for his citizens.
PS I suppose, the measure will affect also Britons once the Brexit procedure concludes.
The usual garbage. It’s just about collecting money.
yes -and spend money for ‘research’
GDR alike Entrance fees won’t find support in Berlin
Why is EC, run by unelected inexperienced civil servants,, trying to ruin tourism.
Are they totally clueless ?
Presumably, you are not aware of how incompetent the UK government is in this regard. The UK’s demands for visas, the obscenely high application fees so that only the rich can afford them, the petty-minded and racist bureaucracy, the massive and unpleasant queues at immigration in Heathrow… the UK makes the EU bureaucrats look like real professionals.