British tourists planning trips to Europe will soon have to budget for a €7 visa waiver as the EU prepares to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) by the middle of next year.
The EU confirmed that the scheme, which applies to more than 60 countries outside the EU including the UK, is due to start “in the first half of 2025”.
Speaking at the announcement of the related entry-exit system, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson indicated that visa-free travel could be operational in time for the May 2025 half-term break. The entry-exit system, which will require non-EU travellers to register their fingerprints and a photo instead of traditional passport stamps, is due to start operating on 10 November this year.
The ETIAS system will work similarly to the US ESTA system, requiring an online application before travel. Once approved, the waiver will be valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. It will cover travel to the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The Ministry of Interior stated that More details about ETIAS The European Union is expected to introduce these solutions “in due course”.
The update coincides with the highly anticipated launch of the EES, which has faced multiple delays. Commissioner Johansson stressed that the EES would introduce strict digital border controls at “every airport,” “every port” and “every route into Europe,” enhancing security across the continent.
Last year, more than 700 million tourists visited Europe, and the new regulations aim to boost security by ensuring stricter entry and exit controls. “We will know if people are staying too long,” Johansson said, adding that the regulations would make it harder for people using fake passports, including criminals and spies, to enter the EU.
Understanding EES and ETIAS Standards
The EU-wide system will require travellers entering the EU to provide fingerprints, a photo and passport details during the initial registration process. This registration will remain valid for three years and will replace the need for passport stamps, although it is expected to add at least two minutes to the current border processing time per passenger, potentially leading to longer queues.
On the other hand, the ETIAS system will apply to citizens from countries that do not currently require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. Although the €7 fee is modest compared to the $14 fee charged by the United States for the ESTA system, the requirement reflects the EU’s efforts to strengthen border security amid ongoing concerns about migration and terrorism.
The application process is designed to be quick, with most approvals granted automatically within minutes. However, more complex cases may take up to 72 hours, and in exceptional cases, up to four weeks. The fee applies to travellers aged 18 to 70, with children and seniors over 70 exempt.
British travellers will need to complete an ETIAS application online or via a mobile app, provide passport information and answer questions about criminal records and medical history. While the procedural step is small, it represents a big change for British citizens used to visa-free travel within Europe.