(1)

The amount of the fee to be paid by applicants for a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation is specified in Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1240. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2511 (2) establishes mechanisms by which the Commission is to assess the necessity of adjusting that fee.

(2)

In accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2511, the Commission has identified a number of factors which are likely to result in a significant or persistent increase in the costs of operation and maintenance of the ETIAS system, beyond those anticipated at the time Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 was adopted. Firstly, the cumulative inflation rate in the Union has increased by 30,12 % since 2016. Secondly, the number of visa-exempt travellers entering the Union has increased significantly in recent years and is expected to continue to increase in the near future. Finally, additional ETIAS functionalities have been implemented for the functioning of ETIAS, that were not anticipated when Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 was adopted.

(3)

It is necessary to align the ETIAS travel authorisation fee with those of comparable systems to ensure competitive parity and a level playing field with other travel authorisation programmes across the globe.

(4)

It is therefore necessary to increase the ETIAS travel authorisation fee.

(5)

Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

This Regulation does not affect the application of Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (4).

(7)

Given that Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 builds upon the Schengen acquis, in accordance with Article 4 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark notified its decision to implement Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 in its national law. Denmark is therefore bound by this Regulation.

(8)

This Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (5). Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(9)

As regards Iceland and Norway, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the association of those two States with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (6), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A, of Council Decision 1999/437/EC (7).

(10)

As regards Switzerland, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis with the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (8), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A, of Decision 1999/437/EC, read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC (9).

(11)

As regards Liechtenstein, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (10) which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A, of Council Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2011/350/EU (11).

(12)

This Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise relating to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the 2003 Act of Accession,