A new travel permit will soon be needed for entering certain European countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Turkey.
Set to come into force in 2024, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a travel permit that will cost around €7 for those over the age of 18.
At the moment, people from the UK don't need a visa to enter countries in the Schengen area - which is most of Europe. But now, holidaymakers have been warned that they could be barred from travelling if they don't have an ETIAS in place.
Wales Online reports that the ETIAS will be introduced later this year and be fully implemented in 2024. It is a completely electronic system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone.
With an ETIAS, UK citizens can stay in Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-period. It's valid for three years, and you can travel to Europe multiple times during this period.
The EU has said: “Recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience. To reduce procedures and wait times and address security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has come up with a solution – ETIAS.”
“The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country. While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.”
These are the European countries that will require a valid ETIAS upon arrival at their borders: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Reasons the ETIAS can be denied to UK citizens:
- You have a criminal background, pose a danger to society, or are on a travel watchlist about suspected terrorists
- You provide fraudulent information during the application.
- You are travelling from an area with an epidemic/pandemic outbreak and could be a danger to public health.
When people arrive in the Schengen zone from the UK they must provide the following:
- Your UK passport. It must not be older than ten years and it should be valid for at least three more months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.
- ETIAS Authorization (starting from 2024).
- Evidence on the purpose of entry. Documents that show why you are travelling to the Schengen Area, such as a hotel reservation or invitation for a business meeting.
- Proof of sufficient financial means. Documents that prove that you have the financial means to support yourself during your whole stay in Europe.
It's expected that the ETIAS application will only take around 10 minutes and can be done online. You'll be asked about your address and other personal information, as well as education and work experience, medical conditions and criminal records.
The EU says: “You will be approved if what you filled out on the application form is correct and you are eligible and not risky for the ETIAS.” For more information on the scheme click here.
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