You will soon need a new document in order to be able to enter countries like France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. A new travel permit is set to come into force from 2024 and, without it, holiday goers and other travellers could find themselves being barred from entering countries across Europe.
The EU has published a guide to clarify the rules around the change, which comes into place following Brexit and as a means of trying to dispel the uncertainty around the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The ChronicleLive reports that the Schengen Visa - the name given to the new permit - is a short-stay visa that will allow a person to travel to any member of the Shengen Area, per stay of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
People from the UK aren't required to get the visa in order to enter the EU, and can instead use the ETIAS, but if people don't have such a document, or are refused, then it will mean they won't be able to enter certain countries like France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, to name but a few. The ETIAS will cost around €7/£6 for people over 18, but minors and applicants over 70 can get the ETIAS free of charge.
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The scheme will be fully implemented in 2024, reports Wales Online. It is a completely electronic system that allows entry and monitors visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone - this includes most of the EU countries.
With an ETIAS, UK citizens can stay in Europe for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-period. The ETIAS is valid for three years, during which time you can travel to Europe multiple times.
The EU has said: “Recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience.
"To reduce procedures and wait times and address security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has come up with a solution – ETIAS. The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country.
"While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.”
Who requires an ETIAS and why might one be denied?
The European countries that will require a valid ETIAS upon arrival at their borders are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Reasons the ETIAS can be denied to UK citizens:
- You have a criminal background, pose a danger to society, or are on a travel watchlist about suspected terrorists
- You provide fraudulent information during the application
- You are travelling from an area with an epidemic/pandemic outbreak and could be a danger to public health
The EU says: “You will be approved if what you filled out on the application form is correct and you are eligible and not risky for the ETIAS.”
For more information on the scheme click here.
