ETIAS explained: Why the EU just tripled its travel authorisation fee
The fee, which will now cost €20 per applicant, is almost three times higher than the initial fee. While the increase may appear steep, the EU defends the move as necessary to cover rising operational costs and bring the fee in line with similar systems worldwide.
According to the European Commission, the decision stems from inflation, infrastructure costs, and additional financial pressures on EU programs, including defence, agriculture, and border security.
By raising the ETIAS fee, the EU hopes to maintain the system's long-term sustainability and fund a broader range of priorities that individual member states may not be able to support on their own.
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These are Visa free for Indian nationals? Check this out for monsoon holidays
What
i
s ETIAS?
ETIAS will be a mandatory travel authorisation for citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia, who plan short-term stays in the EU. Once implemented, it will apply to travel across the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Designed as an online, user-friendly system, ETIAS will allow most applications to be processed in minutes. Approved permits will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and will allow multiple entries within that period.
Who
i
s
e
xempt?
To ease the burden on families and older travelers, children under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the €20 fee. These exemptions aim to encourage personal and family travel without adding significant costs for those on tighter budgets or fixed incomes.
How
w
ill
t
his
i
mpact
t
ourists?
While the fee hike may frustrate some travelers, its real impact is expected to be minimal. Moreover, ETIAS offers perks such as faster border checks, digital processing, and enhanced security, making the travel experience smoother and more secure.
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Though the fee has been confirmed, ETIAS has yet to go live. Initially slated for an earlier launch, the program is now expected to roll out by end of 2026. The delay provides time for airports, border agencies, and travelers to prepare for the system's full implementation.
Despite delays, the EU remains confident that ETIAS will modernize border control, help identify security risks, and enhance the travel experience. Officials say that as international tourism continues to rebound post-pandemic, such systems are vital for managing growing travel volumes efficiently.
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
Woman Travelling Solo In Train At Night Gets Unexpected Visit From 2 Cops. Here's Why
Last Updated: It was when the solo traveller sat quietly on her seat around 11 PM that two women police officers walked into her coach and asked, 'Seat 38 – Purvi?' Indian Railways have indeed come a long way. There are faster trains, smoother booking options, and cleaner coaches, and adding to these facilities has emerged something even more meaningful – a growing sense of safety and support for passengers, especially women. Beyond big upgrades like Vande Bharat trains or digital ticketing, it is the human moments like these that truly leave a lasting impression. One such moment was recently shared by Purvi Jain, a woman who was travelling alone on a late-night train from Mumbai to Surat. Her post wherein she recounted how two women police officers made her journey feel safer is now going viral among the Internet and rightly so. When Police Officers Walked Into Coach It was when the solo traveller sat quietly on her seat around 11 PM that two women police officers walked into her coach and asked, 'Seat 38 – Purvi?" Confused, she said yes. What followed was a heartfelt act of care and a small but revolutionary step to ensure women's safety. In her detailed post, the woman recalled, 'They stopped, checked whether I was comfortable, and asked if I needed any help. Then they gave me a helpline number to call if I ever feel unsafe." Purvi who had never experienced this before, despite being a frequent traveller, was pleasantly surprised. An elderly couple sitting beside her also lauded the gesture, saying that it made them feel reassured, especially with their granddaughter also travelling solo at times. Moving further, the woman also reflected on her experience of the journey, saying that it made her think about the country's progress. 'That small moment made me reflect on how much India's railways — and the country overall — have improved. From Vande Bharat trains to seamless online ticket bookings (even Tatkal, thanks to a faster verification process), travel keeps getting smoother," she noted. India's Real Progress She also acknowledged that while India still has work to do to match developed nations, steps like these prove that real change is happening. 'Moments like this — women officers ensuring solo female passengers feel secure, smooth digital ticketing, and many other small changes — show real progress is happening, even if it's one step at a time." Internet Joins In Praise Soon after the woman shared the post, the internet quickly joined in to laud the move with some of them also sharing similar experiences to thank the officers for their service. One person wrote, 'Something similar happened with my mom—they even helped her change trains." Another commented, 'We need to celebrate more stories like this. It gives hope." 'This is not a one-time thing—this is real, thoughtful progress," someone else added. Well, the post of proof that India is definitely moving in the right direction. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 28, 2025, 13:16 IST News viral Woman Travelling Solo In Train At Night Gets Unexpected Visit From 2 Cops. Here's Why Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Wire
2 hours ago
- The Wire
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® UNVEILS NEARLY 500 VOYAGES WORLDWIDE DURING PEAK 2027 TRAVEL SEASON
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From April through October 2027, NCL's spectacular fleet of ships will call to over 150 unique ports across 59 countries delivering immersive itineraries with MORE time in port, including over 170 overnight stays in the most sought-after destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Copenhagen, Denmark. Whether planning a quick escape or longer adventure, the newly opened deployment delivers MORE opportunities for guests to make the most out of the prime travel season. 'With our most expansive deployment yet, we're giving Indian guests even more ways to explore the world—with itineraries now open from 2025 through 2027,' said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director of NCL APAC. 'From more ways to enjoy an exhilarating Alaska holiday to more seven-day Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings we're delivering more of what matters to our guests: longer port stays, more overnight calls, more value and greater flexibility to create the perfect cruise holiday.' 'We're proud to be the cruise line of choice for travelers who want MORE out of their vacation – MORE freedom, MORE destinations and MORE unforgettable experiences,' said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. 'Our spring and summer 2027 deployment clearly brings our promise to life, offering something for everyone. Whether guests are hopping between European cities nearly every day, taking in Alaska's natural beauty from ships custom-built to bring the outdoors in, or kicking back on the beach with family and friends at one of our two resort-style destinations, there's no shortage of ways to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories.' Itinerary highlights from NCL's Northern Hemisphere spring/summer 2027 deployment include: EXPLORE EUROPE WITH MORE SEVEN-DAY VOYAGES, OVERNIGHTS & LATE DEPARTURES NCL will deploy eight ships, including some of the brand's newest and recently renovated vessels, across Europe. Offering mostly seven-day itineraries that begin and end on weekends, guests have the option to sail from 10 popular embarkation ports, including Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Reykjavik, Iceland. These port-intensive voyages spend over 90% of their time in port with an average stay of nearly 11 hours and feature multiple overnight stays in cities like Istanbul, Turkey; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Hamburg, Germany, as well as late-night departures from favourites like Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Ibiza, Spain, giving guests MORE time to explore Europe's most captivating destinations. In spring/summer 2027, Norwegian Prima® and Norwegian Viva® will return to European waters offering a variety of nine-to-11-day voyages across the continent. Norwegian Viva will sail the Western Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries from June through October from four different homeports: Istanbul, Turkey; Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia) and Ravenna (Venice), Italy. Meanwhile, Norwegian Prima will offer Mediterranean voyages, featuring maiden calls to Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia and Kotor, Montenegro. For the majority of the summer, she will make her return to Northern Europe to operate guest-favorite open-jaw voyages to Iceland and Norway, departing from Southampton, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. In September and October 2027, Norwegian Prima will close out her Europe season with three Baltic open-jaw sailings, which will also mark her inaugural turnaround in Helsinki, Finland and her maiden call in Riga, Latvia. In addition to its newer and larger ships, NCL strategically deploys its mid-size ships to the region to deliver more intimate, destination-focused voyages allowing guests to explore must-see and lesser-known ports with ease. Aboard Norwegian Sun®, travellers can sail seven-day, port-intensive Mediterranean itineraries with no sea days between May and August 2027 departing for the first time from Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna), Italy. These open-jaw sailings include maiden calls to historic bucket list ports including Corfu, Greece. Moreover, Norwegian Jewel® will return to Europe for a full season for the first time in over a decade, offering seven- and nine-day Baltic voyages between Copenhagen, Denmark and Helsinki featuring first-time visits to Klaipeda, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Gdynia, Poland - ideal for guests seeking to dive into cities that boast Medieval architecture and history as well as modern art, design and culture in Northern Europe. Rounding out the season, Norwegian Epic® will offer NCL's ever-popular seven-day Western Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, Spain and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy from May through October 2027, providing travellers the opportunity to explore each destination pre- or post-cruise for an extended vacation. Norwegian Dawn® will also offer scenic open-jaw sailings from May through October 2027 between Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, providing even more ways to experience the best of Southern Europe by sea. MORE WAYS TO ENJOY ALASKA ABOARD SHIPS CUSTOM-BUILT FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS With the global rise of 'coolcations,' holidays to cooler climates, Alaska is the prime destination to experience an exhilarating holiday. 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Guests aiming to immerse themselves even more in the 'Last Frontier' can add an NCL Cruisetour to their reservation and explore the majestic Denali National Park, take a scenic ride on the historic tracks of the Alaska Railroad or fish halibut and salmon in the cold waters of Kachemak Bay. GUEST FAVOURITE NORWEGIAN SPIRIT TO OFFER EXTENDED SOUTH PACIFIC SEASON Following her 2026/2027 summer season in Australia and New Zealand, Norwegian Spirit® will remain in the Pacific through December 2027, offering a diverse range of open-jaw voyages across Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and Alaska. The ship will homeport in Sydney, Australia; Lautoka, Fiji; Papeete, French Polynesia and Honolulu, and sailing a total of 11 immersive itineraries across the region. Norwegian Spirit will offer an expansive South Pacific season with a choice of 11- to 13-day voyages, calling to exotic destinations such as New Caledonia, Fiji, the Samoan Islands, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands. MORE SHORT ESCAPES AND ISLAND-FILLED ADVENTURES WITH THREE- TO 11-DAY CRUISES TO THE CARIBBEAN, BAHAMAS & BERMUDA A standout feature of NCL's Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries is a visit to the company's private island destinations Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's top-rated port in the Bahamas, and Harvest Caye in Belize. Both islands are featured on nearly every voyage during the spring/summer 2027 season. These destinations deliver a picture-perfect beach experience, complete with pristine shores and turquoise waters, while offering guests even MORE ways to create lasting memories through unique shore excursions and curated island offerings. Beginning in late 2025, Great Stirrup Cay will debut a series of enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience, including a new multi-ship pier that ensures guaranteed access to the island; a convenient tram service for ease; an oversized heated pool perfect for relaxing under the sun; as well as the extension of popular onboard experiences ashore, such as an adult-only retreat with private cabanas, and Horizon Park, a family-friendly recreation area with lawn games and gathering spaces. These updates to NCL's private island come as it's expanding its Caribbean and Bahamas deployment for the spring/summer 2027 season. Guests will have eight ships to choose from including some of the Company's newest, Norwegian AquaTM and Norwegian Viva®, as well as easy access with embarkation ports across Florida. Another popular island destination best enjoyed during the spring and summer is Bermuda, with voyages departing from Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. In 2027, three NCL ships will sail to Bermuda as part of the cruise line's seven-month season, including Norwegian Breakaway®, Norwegian Pearl® and to-soon-be the Company's newest ship – Norwegian Luna®. Running from April through October, guests will have MORE opportunities than ever to experience the island's pink sand beaches, historical sites and lush green golf courses through overnights at the Royal Naval Dockyard on each sailing. Moreover, both Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Pearl will sail Canada & New England itineraries from 29 Aug 2027 to 17 Oct. 2027 calling to the most picturesque ports, including Charlottetown, Canada and Quebec City. Onboard these voyages, guests can savor the picturesque scenery of the Northeast tinted with the changing fall foliage, feast on fresh, local seafood delicacies and enjoy wine tastings at regional wineries and estates. In addition to the newly opened 2027 deployment, NCL cruises to nearly 350 destinations worldwide giving guests the chance to plan and book their upcoming cruise vacation well in advance. For guests looking to elevate their cruise experience, NCL's More At Sea™ is a must. Available across the whole fleet, this all-in-one offering delivers incredible value and includes unlimited premium beverages with brands such as Casamigos Tequila, Woodford Reserve, and Grey Goose Vodka; specialty dining package; high-speed Wi-Fi minutes; and US$50 shore excursion credits at every port. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
US YouTuber Says He Fell Ill Despite Eating At 5-Star Indian Hotels, Internet Says "Weak Immunity, Bro"
Tyler Oliveira, a 25-year-old American YouTuber, has sparked controversy after claiming that he fell ill during a visit to India, despite eating at five-star hotels. Mr Oliveira's admission was in response to an Indian influencer who criticised foreign travellers, particularly white visitors, for allegedly perpetuating negative stereotypes about India. In a video, Twinkle Stanly claimed that these travellers often live in poor conditions, visit unhygienic locations, and then return home to complain about India's supposed shortcomings. She also accused white travellers of "romanticising poverty" in India, living in conditions worse than the country's underprivileged, and later disparaging India as "pathetic." Reacting to her video, Mr Oliveira shared his own experience of falling ill in India, despite staying at five-star hotels. He wrote on X, "During my trip to India, I ONLY ate in 5-star hotels and still contracted 4 types of Salmonella. The hotel sourced their eggs from a filthy chicken farm right next to a literal mountain of trash. There are serious hygiene issues that must be addressed in India. It is NOT racist to address the poor quality of life most Indians are subjected to while the upper caste insulates itself from reality." Responding to a user, he noted that the five-star hotels he stayed at cost around $100 per night, which, while luxurious by Indian standards, was relatively budget-friendly compared to American prices. He also pointed out the stark contrast in wealth within India. See the post here: During my trip to India, I ONLY ate in 5 star hotels and still contracted 4 types of Salmonella. The hotel apparently sourced their eggs from a filthy chicken farm right next to a literal mountain of trash. There are serious hygiene issues that must be addressed in India. It is… — Tyler Oliveira (@tyleraloevera) July 27, 2025 To back up his claim, Mr Oliveira shared his medical reports as proof of his illness. However, his post sparked backlash from Indians who accused him of "defaming" the country. Many criticised him for reducing India's complexities to a single personal health issue, arguing that his experience doesn't define the entire nation. Some users pointed out that similar incidents could occur in 5-star restaurants in other countries, while a few attributed his illness to a sensitive stomach, suggesting that he might be more prone to getting sick regardless of the location. One user wrote, "Look, your salmonella sob story doesn't prove India's got some unique hygiene crisis. Bad eggs can come from anywhere—it happens in the U.S., Europe, you name it. You're acting like five-star hotels in India are uniquely incompetent, but global supply chains are messy everywhere. That "filthy farm" you're whining about? It could just as easily be a shady supplier for a Western hotel. You've got no data, just a grudge." Another said, "You are a liar. I spent a solid two months in India, didn't eat in five-star hotels all the time, nor did I stay in the, and I never contracted anything. I didn't get a single illness, not even a tummy upset." A third wrote, "You're blaming India's hygiene issues for your salmonella while ignoring the fact that five-star hotels anywhere can screw up food safety. You think fancy hotels guarantee clean eggs? Please. Those places cut corners just like anywhere else—sourcing from sketchy farms isn't unique to India. You're cherry-picking a single bad experience to dunk on an entire country's hygiene standards." A fourth added, "Yes, India has hygiene issues, and no one is denying that. But addressing them does not require sweeping generalisations or a tone of superiority. There are respectful ways to talk about a country, especially one as layered and complex as India. Centuries of colonisation not only exploited our resources but also left generations in poverty, stripped basic infrastructure, and forced people into survival over sanitation. We are rebuilding, and there is much more to India than what you saw on your plate."
