If you’ve already planned next year’s holiday, then some additional paperwork might be needed before you check in. According to the Guardian, an all-new scheme introduced by the European Union now obliges UK citizens travelling to the EU to pay a €7 visa-waiver.
The visa-waiver is inspired by something similar to the US ESTA, which determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States. So, the European equivalent will introduce new border checks and entry requirements for some visitors, which will most likely begin in May 2025.
This scheme will apply to the Schengen area, which includes 27 EU member states, including France, Spain, Italy, Iceland, and beyond. Once purchased, the visa will last three years or until your passport expires. You will have to submit an online form with personal information before paying a small fee for the visa.
Beyond the €7 charge before you travel, tourists will also need to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans at the border. This initiative is being introduced to make it more difficult for criminals and tourists to enter any given country.
Travellers under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from the charge, while those who decide to travel to places like Ireland or Cyprus will not need a visa, as they are not a part of the Schengen area, so it’s always best to check.
However, this brand-new visa will not only be for Brits, with the scheme also applicable to other visa-exempt countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada. The EU was also supposed to launch this long-delayed entry and exit system (EES) for Schengen countries this year, so you have a bit longer to pop on your holibobs without the additional hassle, should you please.
This delay is due to worries that the airports and current infrastructure aren’t ready for such a big collective change, as it’s not only the airports that this new scheme applies to. New checks will also be put in place at Port of Dover, on LeShuttle in Folkestone and on the Eurostar through London’s St Pancras.
It’s said that we could be applying for this visa as early as May next year, however, the EU has also announced that there will be a grace period for those who might be unaware of this upcoming scheme. This “transitional period” will still expect you to fill out the necessary forms for the Etias, but you won’t be automatically refused entry from the country you’re visiting.
So, if you’ve already got your flights booked for next year or are yearning for that adventure across Europe, keep this brand-new scheme in mind so you don’t get bamboozled on arrival!