UK holidaymakers may be relieved to hear that the expected £6 visa-waiver introduction has been postponed until later in 2025. Nevertheless, British travellers will have to purchase an ‘e-visa’ online prior to journeying to most EU countries once it comes into effect.
Additionally, the current method of stamping passports might be done away with, as individuals could need to undergo biometric verification, including fingerprints, when entering the 29 European nations. The European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (Etias), initially set to commence in November 2023, has faced continual postponements, with the latest anticipated roll-out in November 2025.
According to Which? when Etias finally gets under way, UK citizens must obtain the visa-waiver for entry into the Schengen Area’s passport-free zone. Moreover, a planned separate initiative, the European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), which necessitates fingerprint scanning, was due to start in 2022, reports the Daily Record.
The European Commission has stated that Etias won’t kick off until six months following the EES implementation, which “will not start in the first half of 2025”. Though we’re yet to receive a firm commencement date, it’s worth understanding what this all means and learning which locales comprise the Schengen Area.
Below you’ll find everything your need to know about how Etias will function. Under this new scheme, Brits planning a holiday will need to apply online for a visa-waiver and pay a fee of €7 (approximately £6) before travelling. This initial authorisation is expected to last for three years, or until your passport expires.
The Etias will allow residents from the 63 visa-exempt countries, including the UK due to Brexit, to visit the Schengen Zone with an electronic authorisation instead of a full visa. Currently, there’s no way to register for an Etias travel authorisation.
While several unofficial websites are sharing information about the Etias, it’s recommended to get your information directly from the European Union website. The Entry/Exit system will require non-EU citizens to provide biometric data, such as a fingerprint and facial scan, when entering any of the 29 European countries. Children under the age of 12 will be exempt.
This scheme aims to replace passport stamping, raising concerns about potential delays at already busy airports and ports. These could be significant in Dover, where French officials conduct checks on British soil.
The visa-waiver will be required for travel to all the Schengen Zone states, as well as non-Schengen Area microstates like Andorra and Monaco. Additionally, you’ll need it to visit Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, as they are all EU member states.
The Schengen Area is a unique travel zone where passport checks are not required at the borders. Here’s a comprehensive list of countries that will require visa-exempt travellers to possess an ETIAS travel authorisation:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland