UK Citizens to Face €7 Visa-Waiver Fee for EU Travel Starting May 2025.
Starting next summer, UK citizens planning to travel to the European Union will need to pay a €7 visa-waiver fee as part of new border checks and entry requirements. The European Union has revealed its timeline for implementing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), which will require UK citizens and those from other visa-exempt countries, including the US, Australia, and Canada, to apply for a waiver before entering the EU.
Ylva Johansson, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner, confirmed that Etias is expected to come into force by May 2025. This system, similar to the US Esta, will mandate non-EU citizens to apply for the €7 travel authorization before entering the Schengen area. The Schengen area includes 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The authorization will be valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
In addition to the Etias, the EU will introduce its long-delayed Entry and Exit System (EES) for Schengen countries on November 10. The EES will require travelers to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans, at the border. This initiative is part of the EU’s effort to prevent criminals or terrorists from entering the bloc using fake passports. The introduction of these new checks will impact travelers from the UK who are entering the EU through the Port of Dover, LeShuttle in Folkestone, and the Eurostar at London’s St Pancras.
The EES was initially set to be introduced in 2022 but has faced multiple delays. The most recent launch date of October 6 was postponed due to concerns about the readiness of facilities at some airports. However, Johansson recently confirmed that after intense discussions with member states and other stakeholders, the EES would begin operations on November 10.
Following the introduction of the EES, the Etias system will be implemented six months later, potentially affecting UK holidaymakers planning to travel during the May half-term in 2025. While most travelers will need to apply for the visa-waiver, those under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from the fee. Additionally, travelers to Ireland or Cyprus, which are outside the Schengen area, will not require an Etias.
To obtain the visa-waiver, UK citizens will need to apply online, providing personal information such as their address, employment details, criminal record, and contact information in their destination country. Most applications will be approved within minutes, but some may take up to 48 to 72 hours.
The EU has announced a six-month transitional period following the introduction of Etias. During this time, travelers will be expected to apply for the waiver, but those who do not have it may still be allowed entry if they meet other entry requirements.