Britons holidaying in Europe will be subject to a new fee from next summer, EU officials have confirmed. They will be required to apply for a €7 (£5.96) visa waiver.
This will affect British holidaymakers heading to popular destinations such as France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is due to launch in spring.
An official website of the European Union reads: "The rules of travel to most European countries have changed.
France will require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation
GETTY IMAGES"Starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.
"ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 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.
"You can fill out the application form using either this official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs €7, though some travellers are exempt from paying this fee."
Britons were assured that most applications are processed within minutes. However, applications may take longer to process. In these cases, applicants will receive a decision within four days.
Holidaymakers were warned: "Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview.
"This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey."
European countries requiring visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation
- 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
When the ETIAS scheme is in effect, travellers should apply for the visa waiver before purchasing plane tickets or booking accommodation.
The European Union's official website provides the necessary information on ETIAS, including what will happen once an application has been submitted and the validity period of your ETIAS.
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Greece will require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation
GETTY IMAGESIt is crucial that, when travelling, Britons carry the travel document that is linked to their ETIAS travel authorisation.
Holidaymakers were warned: "Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS."
However, having a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not guarantee an automatic right of entry.
When travellers arrive at the border, border guards will verify that they meet the entry conditions for the destination.
