British tourists will be forced to pay a fee in order to enter Europe later this year in a new post-Brexit scheme.
Travellers will need to fork out for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) in a scheme expected to be rolled out towards the end of 2022.
Since Brexit, UK citizens have not needed a visa to visit any EU member states and passengers have just been using their British passport.
But from the end of 2022, UK travellers will need an ETIAS visa waiver to enter EU countries.
The application will act as an electronic travel permit, which will help enhance the security of Europe's Schengen zone.
Once completed, the ETIAS waiver will be valid for three years and will allow unlimited Brits access into a number of European countries, Birmingham Live reports.
The application form will take around 10 minutes and is applicable to everyone except those younger than 18 and those older than 70.
The good news is that the application will only cost €7, and according to The European Commission, 95 percent of ETIAS applications will be successful.
What information do I need to give over for an ETIAS?
The information required to receive your visa waiver to the Schengen area is as follows:
- A passport, valid beyond the intended stay in Europe
- An email address
- A debit or credit card
Additionally, applicants will be expected to hand over some personal information, including their full name as it appears on the passport, date and place of birth, gender, home address, and nationality.
Travellers are advised to complete the application at least 72 hours prior to their trip.
What is the Schengen Zone?
The Schengen countries are 26 European nations that have abolished passport and all other types of border controls, they are a separate entity to the EU, although many Schengen countries are also EU member states.
Countries like Spain, France, Italy, and Germany are all part of the Schengen Area.
Successful ETIAS applicants will be able to travel within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days over a 180-day period.
What happens if my ETIAS application is rejected?
Applicants could be rejected if the document has been reported as stolen, the person poses a security or epidemic risk or if there is reasonable doubt about information supplied.
Applicants can appeal their refusal in the member state that they have planned to travel to.
An ETIAS application can also be revoked if personal details change, an applicant has overstayed their visit in the past, or if their passport is lost or stolen.
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