What’s the first thing you do after returning from a summer holiday? Start planning another one, of course.
But heading to Europe next year will be a little different for Brits, thanks to a new visa scheme called ETIAS.
As it stands, visitors from the UK can visit the EU’s Schengen area (a borderless collective of 29 countries) for up to 90 days, every 180 days, without a visa.
The new scheme means anyone travelling to popular tourist hotspots including Portugal, Spain and Greece, will need to apply — and pay a €7 (around £6) visa waiver charge.
Here’s what you need to know before you jet off.
What is the new EU visa waiver scheme – ETIAS?
Known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the waiver will be similar to the ESTA, which is required for UK passport holders travelling to the US.
Set to be launched in spring, travellers will need to apply online or via an app. Most applications should be approved within a few minutes – although it could take up to three days.
More complex passengers should give themselves 30 days to be approved
How much is ETIAS?
Officials in Brussels have confirmed that Brits travelling to Europe will need to apply for the visa waiver, and that it will cost the equivalent of €7.
The EU Commission insists this is ‘way cheaper’ than the US Esta, which costs $14 (€12.50 or £10.75).
The fee will apply to travellers aged between 18 and 70, but the visa will be free for children and anyone over 70.
When will the EU visa scheme start?
ETIAS is set to be launched in spring 2025, according to Ylva Johansson, the EU home affairs commissioner.
The ETIAS will be introduced alongside the EUs new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will come into force on November 10.
How long will ETIAS be valid for?
The visas will be valid for three years – or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
If the ETIAS are indeed launched by spring, it could mean that anyone going away during May half-term will require one.
Why has ETIAS been introduced?
The EES means that all passengers without EU passports will have their fingerprints and pictures taken upon arrival.
The aim is that the combination of the ETIAS and EES will make the European Union’s borders more secure.
Ylva Johansson said: ‘With the Entry/Exit System we will know exactly who enters the Schengen Area, with a foreign passport. We will know if people stay too long. Countering irregular migration.
‘And the Entry/Exit System will make it harder for criminals, terrorists or Russian spies to use fake passports. Thanks to biometric identification: photos and fingerprints. It will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks for all passengers from outside the EU, making travel easier, and border checks gradually faster.
‘And then the next step comes quick – ETIAS. Live in 2025 – travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for people from 60 visa free countries.’
But critics say the move will cause headaches for travellers and border force officials, with long queues predicted and experts already warning it could add at least two minutes of processing time per passenger.
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