Representative ImageMost travellers remain undeterred by new travel fees set for 2026, yet significant awareness gaps persist regarding the European Union's upcoming ETIAS entry requirement, according to the Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. ETIAS, which mandates an online application and a €20 fee for short stays in the Schengen Area, is expected to roll out in late 2026. It affects citizens from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
The survey highlights that nearly 29% of travellers are unaware of ETIAS, whilst 52% report moderate to high awareness. Gender differences are notable, with 42% of women being very aware compared to 26% of men. Geographical differences also emerge, as 32% of non-US respondents are very aware, compared to 29% of US respondents. Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, expressed concern over the lack of awareness, particularly among US travellers and men, warning that failure to comply could lead to denied boarding or entry delays.
Conversely, travellers appear largely unfazed by new destination-specific fees. A vast majority, 92%, stated that Thailand's new 300-baht entry fee would not deter travel. Similarly, new overnight stay fees in cities like Barcelona, London, and Kyoto are unlikely to impact travel decisions significantly, with 45% saying the fees would not prevent travel.
Richards noted that whilst travellers show resilience towards fees, administrative requirements like ETIAS pose a different challenge, emphasising the importance of education and planning
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