How Much Does Evacuation from the Middle East Cost
European Tourists Receive Bills for Repatriation Flights
The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has led to the mass cancellation of commercial flights, leaving thousands of tourists from Europe stranded in the region. European countries organized repatriation flights for their citizens, but the assistance turned out to be paid. The cost of returning home ranges from €500 to €2,300 per passenger, depending on the country and the logistics of the route.
How Evacuation from the Middle East Is Organized
The EU activated the Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) to coordinate the evacuation of citizens from Middle Eastern countries. Operations are managed through the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), which provides logistical support and coordination among member states. Repatriation flight routes pass through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman.
In early March 2026, six repatriation flights were carried out to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia. Bulgaria organized three flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat with GullivAir and Bulgaria Air, transporting over 500 people. Italy evacuated more than 300 tourists to Rome and Milan from Muscat, with stops in Doha and Riyadh. Austria chartered a flight from Oman for about 170 citizens, including vulnerable groups. Slovakia arranged a flight from Jordan to Bratislava.
As of March 5, 2026, ten countries had activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to receive evacuation assistance: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, and Austria.
EU funding covers part of the operations. If at least 30% of seats on a flight are occupied by EU citizens, up to 75% of the flight cost is reimbursed. If the share is lower, 50% is covered. In cases where no country can organize the evacuation independently, the rescEU mechanism is activated to fully fund the operation.
Reality: Evacuation at One’s Own Expense
EU rules and funding mechanisms appear robust, but in practice the funds go to airlines and organizers. The final recipients — citizens in the conflict zone — must pay for their return out of pocket.
The Most Expensive Ticket: Finland
Finland set a record rate of €2,300 per passenger for the flight from Muscat to Helsinki. Additionally, citizens pay about €100 for a bus transfer from Dubai to Muscat. The Finnish Foreign Ministry explained the high cost by increased insurance and fuel expenses during the crisis. Dissatisfied Finns trying to leave the UAE reported that the authorities failed to handle the situation, and Finnair proved unhelpful for its clients.
Ireland: €800 and Accusations of “Looting”
Ireland charges €800 per passenger for repatriation flights from Oman. The decision has been sharply criticized by the opposition. Patricia Stevenson, a foreign affairs spokesperson for the Social Democrats, called the government’s approach “stingy” and compared the evacuation to “looting.”
Benelux Countries: Unified Rate of €600
The Netherlands and Belgium set the same fee — €600 per passenger. The Netherlands organizes flights from Muscat and Sharm El-Sheikh, with the Foreign Minister notifying parliament of the need to cover the cost of special flights. Belgium used military aircraft on a route through Muscat and Hurghada to Brussels, calling the price “reasonable” and significantly below commercial alternatives.
Germany: €500 by Law
Germany charges €500 per passenger on evacuation flights. The German Foreign Ministry explained that this amount roughly equals the cost of a standard economy-class ticket. The fee is based on the Consular Act, a practice also applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the tour operator Dertour announced that it would reimburse the cost of flights for its package-tour clients.
The Baltics: Minimum Rates
The Baltic countries set the most affordable prices. For Estonians, evacuation cost €400 per person, with an additional €1,000 per passenger covered by the state. Latvia charges €350 per seat, with flights operated by the national airline airBaltic.
Paid Rescue: New Trends
Analysts at International Investment note that the European Union has demonstrated the ability to efficiently coordinate the evacuation of citizens from conflict zones: civil protection mechanisms were activated, flights organized, and costs partially subsidized. However, the fundamental change affects the evacuees themselves — returning home is no longer a free service provided by the state.
Prices vary widely: from €350 in Latvia to €2,300 in Finland. Governments justify the charges with market rates, insurance risks, and pre-existing laws. There are no legal grounds to cancel the fees — repatriation flights are not considered commercial, so passengers are not entitled to compensation.
In practice, Europeans face a new reality: even in an emergency situation involving life and safety, rescue has a price. And the tourists themselves pay, often at the wrong time and in the wrong place.