The European Commission's decision to raise the application fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from €7 to €20 has raised concerns in the tourism sector of southern Gran Canaria, which fears an impact on non-EU tourism starting in late 2026, when the system comes into effect. The measure, adopted by the Commission in early October 2025, aims—according to Brussels—to "cover the operating costs and new functionalities" of the system, which will apply to visa-exempt travelers wishing to enter the Schengen Area. The increase must now undergo a two-month review period by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, so its final approval could come before January 2026.
The ETIAS will be officially launched in the last quarter of 2026, likely in October, according to the operational schedule published by Frontex and the Directorate-General for Home Affairs. From that point on, tourists from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Chile will need to apply online for travel authorization before arriving in any Schengen Area country, including Spain.
The hotel sector in southern Gran Canaria fears that the increase in the cost—from 7 to 20 euros—will discourage some short-stay tourism, especially among British and Nordic visitors, who account for nearly 65% of foreign overnight stays in Maspalomas and Mogán. "It's not the amount itself, but the message it sends: more bureaucracy and higher costs for traveling to Europe," laments a source in the southern accommodation sector, who points out that the United Kingdom already imposes its own ETA with similar fees.
The ETIAS, modeled after the US ESTA system, will require a digital application valid for three years or until the passport expires. Brussels insists the process will be “fast, automated, and secure,” with an average approval time of less than 15 minutes, except in cases requiring additional review. Southern Gran Canaria is particularly vulnerable to any disruption in tourist flows. With over 12 million passengers annually passing through Gran Canaria Airport, and a 40% dependence on non-EU markets, a decrease of just one percentage point could mean losses of up to €25 million per year.
Experts point out that while travelers under 18 and over 70 will be exempt from payment, family costs could add up: a British family of four will have to pay €80 for the authorization, in addition to flights and accommodation. A spokesperson for the European Commission's Home Affairs Department defended the price increase, stating that it "responds to rising inflation and the need to align ETIAS with other equivalent programs, such as the UK's ETA or the US's ESTA." The official statement emphasizes that the objective is "to maintain the financial sustainability of the system" and strengthen European border security by preventing individuals considered high-risk from entering the Schengen Area before they even arrive.
The implementation of ETIAS in October 2026 will bring about a structural change in tourist travel to the Canary Islands. Although the individual cost seems manageable, the sector fears that its cumulative effect, along with inflation at the point of origin and new digital requirements, will reduce the attractiveness of destinations like Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, and Puerto Rico compared to competitors such as Turkey and Egypt, where entry requirements are more flexible. “Europe is securing its borders, but also making its hospitality more expensive,” summarizes a tourism entrepreneur from Meloneras.
