If you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip to Europe in the coming weeks or months, there are a few new European travel fees and entry requirements that may catch even the most seasoned traveler off guard. Here’s what to know.
EES: No More Passport Stamps
Entry/Exit System (EES): EES, which became fully operational in April, is a digital border program that replaces traditional passport stamping for most travelers entering any of the 29 participating European countries.
For travelers who enjoy flipping through their passport and seeing a collection of stamps, this is a big and bittersweet change. Instead of the familiar stamp, you’ll have your entry and exit recorded electronically, along with your biometric information — an image of your face and your fingerprints. The system applies to Americans traveling for tourism, business or other short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The EES is designed to improve border security and help authorities track how long visitors stay in Europe. The new system will be used in most of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area — Europe’s passport-free travel zone. What this means for American travelers is a few extra minutes at the border.
You’re likely already carrying the technology Europe plans to use. Since 2007, the U.S. has exclusively issued biometric passports (also known as e-passports), which are embedded with a tiny electronic chip (usually in the cover) that stores your data and image (though not your fingerprints). Look for the universal symbol on your passport’s front cover — a small, gold, embossed logo that looks like a rectangle with a circle in the middle. These e-passports can be used for a self-service system at some, but not all, European border crossings.
ETIAS: Pre-Travel Authorization (Coming Soon)
Beginning in late 2026, Americans traveling to 30 European countries will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) approval before departure. But don’t wait for the night before your trip to apply.
Similar to the United States’ ESTA program, which requires foreign visitors to register before coming to America, ETIAS is an electronic pre-travel authorization required for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S.
It’s fairly easy to apply online, costs 20 euros (about $23 U.S.), and authorization usually comes through in minutes and is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires. The authorization will be linked electronically to your passport and checked before boarding and upon arrival.
While ETIAS adds a new step to travel planning, it is intended to enhance security and streamline border procedures rather than replace existing visa requirements. Americans should apply well before departure and be cautious of unofficial websites, as the European Union has warned that only the official ETIAS portal should be used when the system launches. Travelers who are under 18 or over 70 must still apply but don’t have to pay the €20 fee.
ETIAS is required in the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, which includes 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), plus Cyprus.
Authorization for UK Travel
Travelers may not realize that the United Kingdom has its own system. Similar to ETIAS, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required to travel to the U.K., Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to six months. Northern Ireland also requires an ETA (though Ireland does not). Launched in 2023, the program became fully enforced in February 2026.
The application fee is £20 (about $26 U.S.), and the application may be filled out online or on the ETA app, available on Google Play or the App Store.
You’ll typically receive a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration, often within a day, though it can take up to three days. Once approved, your ETA is electronically tied to the passport you used in your application, so you won’t need to carry any additional paperwork — just your passport.
An approved ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period, you can make multiple trips to the U.K. without reapplying.
Tourist Taxes for Overnight Stays
Though not a new scheme, many European cities charge visitors a nightly tourism tax that often isn’t included in the advertised room rate. It may seem small at first, but charges can add up on longer trips or with larger groups. Cities such as Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Lisbon may collect several euros per person per night at check-in or checkout. These fees vary by city and accommodation; you may be charged from €1 to €10 or more per night per person, be billed by the room, or pay a percentage of your total stay, depending on the city.
City Access Fees
In 2024, in a move that grabbed headlines around the world, Venice became the first major city to begin charging what amounts to an admission fee to day-trippers. The tax, introduced to manage tourist influx during certain times of the year, is applicable in 2026 on peak tourism days in April, May, June and July.
The official Venice Access Fee page explains that the fee (Contributo di Accesso) is a charge applied on selected days to visitors to the historic center of Venice who are not staying overnight. The system is designed to help manage tourism pressure by regulating day-tripper flow into the city during busy periods. Visitors must register online in advance through the official portal, select their entry date and obtain a QR code that serves as proof of payment.
The fee generally applies during daytime hours on designated dates, and costs between €5 and €10. Overnight guests, residents and certain exempt categories do not need to pay, but day visitors entering the historic city during controlled periods must comply. The system is part of an experimental effort by the city to better manage overcrowding while maintaining access to the city’s historic core.
Cracking Down on Crowds
Venice may be the most famous example, but it likely won’t be the last. As record numbers of tourists flock to Europe’s most iconic destinations, more cities are looking for ways to manage the crowds by charging tourist fees or putting limits on holiday rentals and cruise ship arrivals during high tourist season. Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Santorini & Mykonos and Lisbon are among the cities that are shifting toward taxing tourism, capping arrivals, limiting AirBnBs and tracking visitors more precisely. The moves are a way to manage overcrowding in what European policymakers often describe as vulnerable or fragile urban centers, and to help with what Paris residents called the “Disneyfication” of their historic neighborhoods.
