A warning has been issued to holidaymakers as travellers will be charged to visit most EU countries next year.
The ECHO previously reported that travelling to Europe may be a little bit more difficult after the UK left the European Union. The European Parliament approved the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2016 to improve border security, and it is now set to affect Brits travelling to Europe.
With the system expected to be fully implemented across Europe by the end of 2023, holiday-goers are being urged to have everything in place in time for your trip to avoid any heartache. It’s also important you check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the destination you are visiting, including the latest health advice and any Covid-19 entry requirements.
READ MORE: Updated Covid travel advice for visiting the United States
Which? has issued important advice for if you are headed off abroad next year. The European Commission expects the scheme to launch in November 2023 but it is not yet possible to register. UK passport-holders will need to pay a fee of around £6 for the authorisation which will allow citizens of 63 countries to visit the Schengen Area (a travel zone where you don’t need to show your passport).
But a warning has been issued regarding the expected fee. Guy Hobbs, Editor of Which? Travel, said: "If you’re planning a holiday to a European hotspot from November next year, you’ll likely need an Etias travel authorisation. UK passport holders will be able to get theirs by completing an online application form and it will give them travel access to 30 countries for three years.
"It’s not currently possible to register for Etias, so be wary of third-party sites offering to do the legwork for you, and remember that the expected fee should be €7 when the scheme goes live."
The authorisation will be valid for three years, or until your passport expires. For short stays in the EU of up to 90 days, British tourists won't need a visa, but will have to apply to ETIAS for a visa waiver.
The difference between an ETIAS travel authorisation and a visa
An ETIAS travel authorisation is not officially a visa, its purpose is to allow the EU to keep track of visa-exempt visitors from third countries, which includes now includes the UK.
Where will you need ETIAS to travel to?
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Finland
- Denmark
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- San Marino
- Estonia
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Slovenia
- Italy
- Greece
- Czech Republic
- Malta
- Monaco
- Liechtenstein
- Iceland
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
What if I am travelling by car to Europe?
It is expected that these delays will be significant for those travelling by car because it is impossible to carry out biometric checks while travellers are in their cars at ports. Passengers will have to step out of their cars to do facial recognition and fingerprint checks before returning to their cars.
READ NEXT:
Moment nine hour armed siege at bungalow ended
Liverpool shooting 'an appalling act of evil' as schoolgirl aged 9 shot dead
'Words fail me' say ECHO readers after brutal murder of Ashley Dale in her own home
Four gunshots ring out as schoolgirl, 9, killed and two injured by mystery gunman
