According to a statement released by the European Commission on Friday, non-EU citizens will be obliged to pay a fee of seven euros in order to enter any of the twenty-six nations that are part of the Schengen area beginning in 2024.
It is anticipated that the new levy will produce up to one billion euros on an annual basis, which will be used to bolster existing safety measures and make the administration of migrant movements across the continent more efficient.
The Schengen Area is a group of 26 nations that have abolished passport and other sorts of border control at its mutual borders, allowing for free movement of persons and commodities within the zone. This was accomplished by the creation of the Schengen Agreement in 1985.
According to the European Commission, the introduction of the entry fee is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the EU's external border control and ensuring that the Schengen area remains a safe and secure place for all who visit or reside in the region.
The proposal is expected to face some opposition from the travelindustry, which has already been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some critics argue that the new fee will make travel to Europe more expensive and may discourage tourism to the region. However, supporters of the proposal argue that the fee is modest and will not be a significant deterrent to tourists. The new fee will not be required for EU citizens, their family members, or citizens of countries that have visa-free access to the Schengen area. It will only apply to citizens of countries that require a visa to enter the Schengen area, such as China, India, and Russia.
In the next weeks, it is anticipated that the European Commission will start holding discussions with the member states of the EU over the plan. Before the idea can be put into action, it will have to be sanctioned by both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
The decision to charge non-EU citizens for entry to the Schengen area comes as Europe continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing migration crisis. The EU has been under pressure to strengthen its border control measures and ensure that the Schengen area remains a safe and secure place for all who visit or reside in the region.
It is anticipated that the implementation of the entry charge will be a key step towards the achievement of these aims, and it may provide a source of cash that is significantly needed for the control of the border and other security measures.
However, it is unknown how the tourism sector or travelers will respond to the idea or whether or not it will have any substantial impact on travel to Europe in the years to come.