From next summer, British travellers will need to navigate a new layer of red tape when heading to Europe, as EU officials have confirmed that a €7 visa waiver will be required.
This change, coming into effect from mid-May 2025, applies to all Britons aged 18 to 70. Children and those over 70 will be exempt from the fee.
The visa waiver, officially termed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will be valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The application process will be digital, with hopeful travellers able to apply online or through a mobile app. While EU officials assure that most applications will be approved within minutes, they have warned that some cases might take up to 72 hours or, in more complex situations, even up to a month for approval.
As part of the ETIAS application, travellers will be required to provide ‘full disclosure’ of their background, including their travel history and any criminal record. EU Home Affairs Minister Ylva Johansson confirmed that ETIAS will roll out six months after the automated EU Entry/Exit System (EES) launches on 10th November 2024, marking an end to years of delays.
The introduction of the EES this autumn is expected to bring additional checks for non-EU passport holders, including those travelling on British passports. Travellers will need to register their fingerprints and have their photograph taken when crossing the border for the first time. EU officials warn that this new system could result in delays, with border guards potentially taking up to two minutes longer to process each passenger. As many holidaymakers will be aware, any additional delay at passport control during peak travel times can quickly escalate into significant queuing at airports and ports.
With the new requirements likely to catch some travellers off guard, Swindon Travel Hub has reassured locals that assistance will be available. A spokesperson for the travel agency said, “We understand this new requirement may be daunting for some of our customers. Our team at Swindon Travel Hub will be on hand to assist with the ETIAS application process to ensure a smooth start to their holiday.”
