UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe will need new travel permits thanks to Brexit, with the rules set to be introduced within months. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) had been due to come into force shortly after Brexit arrangements were put in place, but has been repeatedly delayed and is now expected next year.
There are fears the scheme will cause long queues for travellers. Once it is introduced, UK tourists visiting most EU countries will be hit by a seven euro (£6) fee.
This must be paid to obtain permission to enter for the following three years.
A European Union spokesman said: "ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of 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."
Holidaymakers and business travellers will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation in advance of their planned journey, and may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or attend an interview.
Travellers need to make sure their name, passport number and other information are correct on the ETIAS application because any mistakes will mean you are not allowed to cross the border.
An exact date for the start of the ETIAS scheme has not been announced but it's thought it could come into effect in the middle of 2024.
The UK is introducing a similar scheme for people from other countries wanting to arrive here - with Middle East nations the first to be included.
The 30 countries where people from the UK will need an ETIAS are:
- 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
