Dreaming of your next holiday? Well if you’re booking it for the latter half of 2025 it’s going to be a tad more expensive.
Things are about to get more complicated as UK travellers will soon need a visa waiver that you have to pay for to travel to EU countries.
In the same way you’d apply for a visa to travel to non-European countries, soon there will be a requirement to get an approved document to travel to EU destinations.
Currently, no such documentation is required for UK travellers, but may not be the case for other non-European countries.
The new visa system, called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will mean travellers will have to pay €7 (£6) for it.
Travellers will need an official ETIAS visa waiver in order to keep visiting European countries.
The document is for trips which last up to 90 days and if you want to stay longer you’ll have to get a different visa.
However, you don’t need to get the ETIAS every time you go to Europe as one document will last three years.
Talks of the ETIAS have been happening for some time and it initally had a launch date of November 2023 but got pushed back.
There were other setbacks involving IT which has now meant that the ETIAS system is set to be introduced from summer 2025, meaning you can travel freely without needing the waiver at the moment.
But, fret not, the waiver – something other countries also have such as the U.S – is not going to prohibit most travellers.
A spokesman for the EU commission said that more than 95% of applications are expected to result in automatic approval.
It’s not just the UK which has to abide by ETIAS, as more than 60 other countries will have to get the waiver too.
The EU decided to implement ETIAS to improve security in the Schengen Area (which includes popular destinations such as Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands etc). By obtaining a travel authorisation, travellers will still undergo a security check prior to their arrival in the EU.
The waiver will also be required for travel to Cyprus, which is in the process of joining the Schengen Area.
ETIAS works by screening passengers arriving in the Schengen Area from third countries.
To protect against potential threats and ensure the integrity of Schengen’s external borders, data will be collected and assessed before passengers travel to Europe.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : Is Iceland safe to visit after the volcanic eruption? Here’s what you need to know
MORE : BA suspends flights from London to Tel Aviv due to ‘escalating situation’
MORE : M25 misery for bank holiday drivers ‘crawling for miles’ at Dartford Crossing
Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.