British holidaymakers planning to head to Europe this summer will now need new travel documents.
These rules are set to be introduced within the coming months. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) initially set to begin shortly after Brexit, but has been repeatedly delayed and is now expected in 2024, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Once the ETIAS is introduced, tourists from the UK who are visiting most EU countries will be hit by a £6 fee. This €7 fee must be paid by each tourist (over the age of 18 and under 70-years-old) in order to enter the country for at least the following three years.
A European Union spokesman said: "ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller's passport.
"It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
"With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
"However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions."
Anybody travelling for business or pleasure will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation ahead of their journey. You may be asked to provide additional documents, information, or even attend an interview.
People will have to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct on their application as even one simple mistake could mean you are denied entry.
An exact date for the start of the ETIAS scheme has not been announced but it's thought it could come into effect in the middle of 2024. Fears have arisen that the scheme will cause issues for travellers, including long and annoying queues.
The UK will be introducing a similar scheme for people from other countries wanting to visit Britain.
The 30 countries where you'll need an ETIAS authorisation
The 30 countries where people from the UK will need an ETIAS are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
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