An IMGW News Report
From next summer, British travellers will need to secure a €7 visa waiver to visit Europe, according to EU officials.
Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, has announced that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced in the spring. This waiver, similar to the US ESTA, must be obtained before travelling and will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
This announcement comes ahead of the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to begin on 10 November. These new measures aim to enhance security and streamline border management within the EU, potentially adding extra procedures for travellers.
Under the EES, non-EU visitors will be required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, upon arrival. This information will be used to monitor their entry and exit during future visits, likely extending processing times by two to three minutes per passenger, compared to the current 45-second wait.
Britons will need to obtain their ETIAS authorisation before the May half-term next year, with a firm requirement for it by the summer. Applications can be submitted online or via a mobile app, with most approvals granted quickly. However, some applications may take up to 72 hours, and more complex cases could take up to 30 days. The fee is €7 (about £6) for travellers aged 18 to 70, while those younger or older will not be charged.
Travel industry experts have expressed concerns that travellers might face problems if they are not properly prepared, which could result in boarding issues. An industry insider remarked, “With the introduction of EES this autumn and ETIAS in the spring, the process will become significantly more complex. Travellers who do not have their ETIAS ready could face similar difficulties to those seen with the US ESTA system and may be denied boarding.”
It remains uncertain whether airlines will be required to check for ETIAS authorisation before departure, similar to the US ESTA system. The EU anticipates that the EES and ETIAS will greatly improve border management and security. Johansson emphasised that the EES will help track visitors more effectively, address irregular migration, and prevent the use of fake passports through advanced biometric checks.
The EES system, agreed upon a decade ago when the UK was still part of the EU, is expected to be one of the most sophisticated border management systems in the world.
