"Schengen" hurdle for British tourists: They must pay a 7-euro visa waiver fee
Starting next summer, UK citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS by paying a 7-euro visa waiver fee to enter the EU. This system will come into effect in May 2025 and will apply to non-EU citizens wishing to enter the Schengen area.
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UK citizens will have to pay a 7-euro visa waiver fee when traveling to the EU next summer. This was announced after the EU revealed its timeline for implementing new border controls and entry requirements for certain visitors.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson confirmed that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will require UK citizens (as well as citizens of other visa-exempt countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada) to apply for a waiver before entering the EU, will most likely come into effect in May 2025.
ETIAS will be similar to the US ESTA system and will require non-EU citizens to obtain a 7-euro travel authorization before entering the Schengen area, which covers the 27 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This authorization will be valid for three years or until your passport expires.
This timeline comes as the EU confirmed that the long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) for Schengen countries will be launched on November 10.