Brits heading to the countries in the European Union will be asked to be an extra fee from next year onwards.
In a similar system to British holidaymakers heading to the US, authorisation to travel to the EU will be needed. Although the one to visit European countries will be much cheaper at £6. Once you’ve filled in the form it is good for up to three years.
The new travel few will not be restricted to just EU countries, it will also include countries which are part of the Schengen Area.
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The new system will be called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), it will pre-screen travellers before they board a plane. The Schengen Area includes 22 EU countries and non-EU places Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.
If you’re heading to the rest of Europe as a tourist you won’t need a visa and will be allowed to stay abroad for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you’ll just need a passport and ETIAS approval.
From May 2023, the ETIAS system is hoped to be up and running, which means next summer you’ll have to make sure you’ve filled out the form or face being turned away at the border.
Once you’ve applied your application will be linked to your passport, so border guards will no if you’ve been approved or not. It’s all done online which means approval can come through in minutes with people flagged as a potential risk facing up to four days of waiting or longer.
Things that could delay an application are criminal records, security concerns, or a track record of overstaying in Schengen Areas.
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