EU Travel Visa Explainer

Do I Need a Visa to travel to Europe? The European Union is set to implement a €7 (£6) visa waiver for certain non-EU nationals, including British citizens.

According to the forthcoming regulations, travelers from designated non-EU nations, the UK included, will be required to obtain a waiver prior to their journey to 30 European countries, akin to the US Esta system. This waiver will facilitate travel to the Schengen zone, which encompasses all EU member states with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Key details regarding the operation of this new initiative and its commencement date are outlined below.

How does the EU visa waiver scheme work?

The newly established program will be referred to as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias). At present, travelers from the United Kingdom can enter the Schengen area of the European Union without a visa for a period of up to 90 days within any 180-day timeframe. This provision also applies to citizens from over 60 non-EU nations, including the United States, Japan, and Australia. However, the introduction of the Etias program will alter this arrangement. Travelers from the specified non-EU countries will be required to obtain a visa waiver to enter the EU for the same duration of 90 days within a 180-day period. Stays exceeding this duration will necessitate a visa. Border officials will verify the document upon entry into the EU. The complete list of non-EU countries eligible for the Etias program is available from the EU. The visa waiver will be valid for three years and will permit an unlimited number of entries. It will be associated with the traveler’s passport; therefore, if the passport expires within three years, a new Etias application will be required upon obtaining a new passport.

How much will the Etias cost?

The fee for the waiver will be set at €7 for the majority of individuals, a cost that the EU Commission describes as "significantly lower" than the US Esta, which is priced at $21 (€18.80; £16) as of July 19 of this year. This fee will be applicable to all individuals aged 18 to 70. However, the waiver will be provided at no cost for children and those over the age of 70.

EU family visa

The ETIAS travel visa is issued to one person and is linked to their travel document. Other persons, including family members, are required to have their own ETIAS travel documents.

When will the Etias scheme start?

The European Union has yet to specify a definitive commencement date for the waiver scheme. According to its official website, the scheme is anticipated to begin in "the first half of 2025." The EU has indicated that the Etias requirement will initially not be enforced for a duration of "at least six months," although it advises all travelers to apply for a visa waiver. A spokesperson from the Home Office stated that the United Kingdom anticipates receiving further details regarding the implementation of the scheme "in due course."

How will waiver applications work?

Travelers are required to submit their applications through an online platform or a mobile application. According to the European Union, this form is considered a "necessary and minor procedural step" and is estimated to take approximately 10 minutes to fill out, as stated by the authorities. The application will necessitate the provision of passport details along with inquiries regarding criminal history and health conditions. The EU indicates that over 95% of applications will receive automatic approval within a matter of minutes. Nonetheless, it cautions that certain cases may extend processing times up to 72 hours. In exceptional situations, applications may be rejected or could take as long as four weeks to be processed.

US Citizens

New ETIAS visa requirements for Americans are due to come into force in 2025.

Starting in the middle of 2025, American nationals will need to apply for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before arriving in Europe. The ETIAS authorization will be necessary to enter 30 European countries. Currently, US citizens can travel to Schengen Zone countries without a visa, as long as they meet passport and customs requirements. When ETIAS is introduced in 2025, an additional travel authorization will be required before arrival.

Need to know: Non-EU travelers may still need to apply for a Schengen visa depending on their nationality and travel arrangements.

Does my ETIAS authorization get me into the UK?

No, ETIAS is only valid for the countries listed above. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have their own entry requirements for US travelers. The Republic of Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, or the Schengen Zone, though it is a member of the EU and will not require ETIAS authorization. Northern Ireland  is a part of the United Kingdom.

How do travelers apply for ETIAS?

It is essential to complete the ETIAS application on the official website or through the mobile application (once ETIAS becomes operational) prior to your departure for Europe. It is advisable to do this several weeks in advance rather than at the airport while awaiting your boarding.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS every time I travel?

Generally, travelers are not required to reapply for ETIAS with each entry. An approved ETIAS remains valid for a period of three years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever occurs first. However, there is a significant exception: if your passport is still valid but you have acquired a new one—such as in the case of a legal name change due to marriage—you must submit a new ETIAS application. This requirement arises because the initial ETIAS authorization is linked to the passport used during the original application process.

Which European countries require ETIAS?

ETIAS will impact visa-exempt travelers entering the following 30 European countries:

Why is the scheme being introduced?

The European Union has resolved to implement additional border controls in reaction to the migrant crisis and rising concerns regarding terrorism. The Etias system is expected to "enhance security checks for individuals traveling to the EU without a visa." As stated on the EU website, the Etias will assist member states in "evaluating potential risks" associated with individuals crossing their borders. The initiative is designed to combat "cross-border crime and terrorism," according to the website.

What is the EES?

A new European Union border initiative, known as the Entry/Exit System (ESS), is set to commence on 10 November following several postponements. Commissioner Johansson has stated that the EES will implement rigorous digital border checks at "every single airport," "harbour," and "road into Europe." The regulations will enable authorities to monitor if individuals overstay their permitted duration and will complicate the efforts of criminals, terrorists, or Russian operatives attempting to utilize counterfeit passports, she asserts. As part of the EES framework, individuals entering the EU will be required to provide their fingerprints, a photograph, and passport information. This initial registration will remain valid for three years, necessitating validation each time an individual crosses the border, thereby eliminating the need for passport stamping. Nevertheless, experts have forecasted lengthy wait times, cautioning that the EES could increase processing time by at least two minutes per passenger, in contrast to the current average of 45 seconds.

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