From next year, Australians will have to pay a new travel tax when flying to some popular European destinations. It’s just one of the additional costs making travel more expensive for those planning a short break.

Currently, Australians can travel to most European countries using their passport, but from early next year you will need to apply for a new visa before entering countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain. This is called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).

Australian Travel Industry Association CEO Dean Long said: Yahoo Finance This meant that travelers would have to take an “extra step” to register their personal information.

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“Because of the scale, it won’t have a major impact on people travelling to Europe, but it is another tax that people will have to pay when travelling,” Long said.

“The real reason is that governments are not using the information they already have as efficiently as they should be.

“It’s not uncommon, but it’s one of those things that is another inconvenience, another stressor that travelers have to worry about because governments aren’t talking to each other.”

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What is ETIAS?

The ETIAS will be linked to your passport and is required for Australians travelling to 30 countries within Europe. It will come into force in the first half of 2025.

This includes most European countries, including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

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Applications are made online through the ETIAS website or app. Most applications are processed “within minutes,” the website says, but Australians should apply “well in advance.”

How much does it cost?

The cost of applying for ETIAS is €7, or about $11.50. However, there is no cost for travelers under 18 and over 70 years of age.

It is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

What other travel costs do I need to consider?

Passport prices

Thanks to a one-off 15 percent increase in July, Australia currently has the second most expensive passport in the world after Liechtenstein.

Currently, a standard 10-year adult passport costs $398, but this amount will rise again in January due to inflation.

“If you look at the consumer price index, there will be a 4 to 5 percent increase on January 1, so you can expect a double-digit increase for a passport (compared to last year),” Long said. Yahoo Finance.

“Your first thought (might be): If you can afford the trip, you can probably afford to pay a little more for the document. But your passport is your most important identification document when applying for a mortgage or a rental agreement.”

Tourist taxes and taxes

Even popular international travel destinations are now taking tough action against tourists with additional taxes and fees.

Bali introduced a tourist tax of 150,000 IDR (about 15 USD) on February 14 this year. The tax, which tourists must pay in addition to a 50 USD visa on arrival, was introduced to protect Bali’s cultural sites and the local environment.

Venice has also introduced a fee for day-trippers visiting the city during high season and peak times, which is €5, or about $8.

“Hidden” fees

There are a number of other “hidden” fees and taxes that travelers have to contend with, Long said, including an increase in the passenger transportation fee.

International travelers will pay $10 more for the fee starting July 1 after the Commonwealth increased the fee to $70.

“There are a lot of hidden taxes. In the UK, there is an exit tax based on distance. All of these taxes are hidden or collected in very difficult ways, like that €7 fee for your visa,” Long said.

“On the other hand, Australians can now travel to China without a visa and at no cost, which has led to a reduction in costs.”

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