As world travelers, we are always frustrated with fees and restrictions that discourage tourists from visiting a place. Unfortunately, there is an emerging trend to charge visitors entry fees. We will discuss a few such pay-to-visit schemes below.
Governments claim tourist fees streamline the immigration process, enhance border security, and curb overtourism. While their goals may be valid, it is still an extra hoop to jump through when you are planning a vacation.
In many places, a tourist/city tax is added to your hotel fees. But now some governments are charging visitors an additional fee — before they can even enter.
The fee amounts are minimal. However, it is a hassle to submit your personal data, request travel authorization, and transfer the payment to the government before your trip. Here are a few of the pay-to-travel programs that are already in effect or coming soon. Be sure to do your research before you travel!
UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
In the past, citizens of certain countries needed a “Standard Visitor” visa to explore the United Kingdom. However, lots of tourists (especially those from EU or British Commonwealth nations) could enter freely for short stays.
According to the UK government website, it aims to deliver “a more streamlined, digital immigration system” by requiring visitors to obtain advance permission to travel to the United Kingdom. Now, visitors who don’t need a visa for short stays are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Eligible non-Europeans already need an ETA. At the time of writing, an ETA costs £10, but on April 9, 2025 the price will jump to £16. An ETA permits multiple short journeys (less than six months). The travel authorization is valid for two years, or until your passport expires — whichever is sooner.
Starting tomorrow (April 2, 2025) eligible Europeans will need an ETA to travel to the UK.
You must apply for an ETA via the UK ETA app or GOV.UK website. You will need to scan your passport, provide occupation and contact information, submit a digital photo, and answer a few questions (such as whether or not you have a criminal record).
In some cases, applicants receive automatic authorization within minutes. Others may need to wait three working days for a decision.
Please note that even once you have paid the fee and received authorization, you can still be turned away at the border. An ETA is merely digital permission to travel; it is not a visa and does not grant entry into the UK.
For more details, please consult the official UK Electronic Travel Authorization factsheet.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
The European Union has plans in motion that will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain advance authorization before traveling to the Schengen area. Once instituted, tourists from 59 visa-exempt countries will need to submit an electronic application and pay a €7 fee before booking a short stay in any of the 30 participating European countries.
ETIAS will allow for multiple short-term stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). It will be valid for up to three years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
Similar to the UK scheme, tourists can apply via an app or EU government website. Many applications will be approved within minutes, but others may take up to four days to process.
ETIAS is merely travel permission, and does not guarantee entry when you arrive at the border.
Fortunately, no action is required at this time. But get ready, because ETIAS is supposed to be operational by the last quarter of 2026. Keep checking the Official ETIAS website for an exact launch date.
Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
The Royal Government of Bhutan charges a daily tariff for international tourists visiting the country. This Sustainable Development Fee is meant to preserve the country’s natural landscapes and traditional Buddhist culture.
Unless you are an Indian, Maldivian or Bangladeshi national, you will be required to pay $100 USD/night for the duration of your stay. Children aged 6-12 must pay $50 USD/night. The SDF is collected by the National Exchequer of Bhutan as part of the tourist visa application process.
For more information, visit the Bhutan Department of Tourism website.
Thailand’s Tourist Tax Scheme
On February 24, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that a tourism tax for foreign visitors is set to take effect by the end of 2025.
The scheme has not been finalized, but it appears that foreign tourists arriving by air will be required to pay 300 THB per trip. If you travel to Thailand by land or sea, you will also be charged THB 300, but the fee authorizes multiple entries within a 30- to 60-day period.
The tax will apply to anyone entering with a Thailand Tourist Visa or entering through the Visa Exemption Scheme/Visa on Arrival program. Only residents and long-term visa holders can avoid paying the 300-Baht fee.
The tourist tax will likely be integrated into the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which is scheduled to launch on May 1, 2025.
To keep abreast of developments, we suggest checking the Immigration Bureau, the Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa (operated by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Kingdom of Thailand), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand websites. You may also want to consult reputable news sources.
National governments are not the only ones introducing tourist fees. In some cases, specific regions or cities charge an entry fee. For example:
- Bali introduced a “Tourist Levy” for international travelers in order to preserve its culture and natural environment. To visit Bali, you must pay 150,000 IDR per person (approximately 8.96 USD). You can pay the fee in advance via the official Love Bali website or upon arrival.
- The city of Venice has introduced a new access tax for tourists that travel to Venice without staying there. In 2025, this day-tripper tax will affect tourists visiting the historic center of Venice in April, May, June, or July. Everyone under 14 must pay €5 (provided you pay the tax before the fourth day of your arrival). After that, the rate doubles. You must pay the Venice access fee on the Comune di Venezia website.
At Borderless Pair, we encourage people to travel – no matter what! Don’t let pesky fees like the ones above deter you from visiting one of your bucket list destinations. We just want our readers to be aware of the current and upcoming tourist tax schemes, so they can budget and plan accordingly.
If you enjoyed this article, we have some other pieces focussed on travel visas, such as Working Holiday Visas: What to Know and Long-Stay Destinations for U.S. Tourists.