Travelling to Europe Next Summer?
You Need to Know About the New €7 Visa
By Anna Jones at Eversure,
19 September 2024, 10 min read
Currently UK citizens can visit the EU’s borderless Schengen Zone for up to 90 days, every 180 days without a visa. This is set to change. Upon Brexit, the EU stated that UK citizens would require visa waivers to enter countries in the Schengen Zone. Whilst the date has been pushed back multiple times, it has now been confirmed that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced mid-2025. From then, 1.4 billion people from over 60-visa exempt countries will be required to have travel authorisation to enter the bloc for short stays.
This article tells you everything you need to know before going to Europe next year.
What is the ETIAS?
The ETIAS is not a visa in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a visa waiver in the same way that the American ESTA and the Canadian eTA are. In essence, it is a travel authorisation that visa-exempt travellers must obtain before visiting countries in the Schengen Zone.
Which countries do I need an ETIAS travel authorisation for?
You will need the ETIAS visa waiver to travel to all countries in the Schengen Zone:
• 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
You will also need the visa waiver to visit non-Schengen microstates such as Andorra and Monaco, as well as the EU member states Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus.
Why has the ETIAS been introduced?
The EU has chosen to introduce this new system primarily because it will improve the security of EU member states. Through the ETIAS system, countries can collect data on travellers they were unable to before due to the border-free EU. So, the ETIAS will strengthen border security processes and procedures. These stricter border controls are a response to the migrant crisis and concerns over terrorism.
How much will an ETIAS cost?
It is set to cost £6 (€7) and the travel authorisation will last 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever is soonest. Under 18’s and over 70’s are exempt from this cost but will still need to apply for the waiver.
When is it being enforced?
Whilst a specific date has not yet been announced, the expected implementation date is mid-2025 according to the EU website.
Grace Period
Although it will be launched in mid-2025, a transitional period of at least six months will follow. This means that travellers without an ETIAS travel authorisation will not be refused entry as long as all other remining entry conditions have been fulfilled.
What is the EES?
The establishment of the ETIAS system follows the long-delayed introduction of the entry-exit system (EES) now set to launch on the 10th of November 2024.
EES requires non-EU citizens to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans, at the border when entering or exiting the Schengen Zone. Children under 12 will be exempt. The new EES will replace passport stamping and is in place to deter criminals and terrorists from attempting to enter the bloc with fake passports.
It also means that new checks will be implemented in the UK for those travelling to the EU through the Port of Dover, LeShuttle in Folkestone and on the Eurostar in London St Pancras. As a result, long delays are expected; EES could add at least two minutes processing time per passenger in comparison to the current 45 seconds.
How do I apply for the ETIAS?
It is currently not possible to apply or register for the ETIAS system, but when the system does open you should be aware of the following:
1. The application will be online through the official ETIAS website and will take 10 minutes to complete.
• There is only one official ETIAS website; be cautious of third-party sites offering to do it for you.
2. Begin the process of applying well in advance of travelling to avoid any complications.
• If you are travelling as a family, be mindful that each person needs an individual ETIAS travel authorisation. This is because they are issued to one person and linked to their travel document. Leave plenty of time to apply for everyone’s authorisations.
3. You will need to submit personal information such as your address, employment details, criminal convictions and the contact information for when you are in your destination country.
4. You will need your passport to apply, and it must not expire for at least three months.
5. Most applications will be approved within minutes, or at the latest within 96 hours.
• In the exceptional circumstance that additional information or documentation needs to be provided, the process can take up to 30 days.
Initial ETIAS registration will be valid for three years. However, alongside providing your biometric data, the visa-waiver will need to be validated every time someone crosses the border.