UK travellers will soon need to apply and pay for a visa waiver<\/strong> before visiting most European countries<\/strong>, as part of the EU\u2019s new border security measures<\/strong>. Two new systems\u2014EES (Entry\/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)<\/strong>\u2014will be introduced to digitally track non-EU visitors<\/strong> and require pre-travel authorisation<\/strong> for British passport holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While UK travellers currently enjoy visa-free<\/strong> access to the Schengen Area<\/strong> for up to 90 days<\/strong>, this will change with the EES system<\/strong> requiring fingerprint and facial biometric registration<\/strong>, and ETIAS introducing a mandatory visa waiver<\/strong> costing \u00a36 per traveller<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These new requirements have faced multiple delays<\/strong>, but they are expected to take effect sometime in 2025<\/strong>, with ETIAS becoming mandatory six months after EES is implemented<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This system is designed to speed up border checks<\/strong> and reduce illegal overstays<\/strong>, but it means UK travellers will need to register their biometrics at the border<\/strong> on their first visit. Once registered, they will not need to repeat this process for three years<\/strong>, unless they obtain a new passport<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EES system<\/strong> will apply to 29 European countries<\/strong>, including popular destinations like Spain, France, Greece, and Italy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)<\/strong> will function like the US ESTA system<\/strong>, requiring non-EU travellers\u2014including British passport holders<\/strong>\u2014to obtain pre-travel authorisation<\/strong> before visiting Europe. This process includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A British passport must have at least three months of validity<\/strong> from the intended date of travel for the ETIAS application to be approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EES system<\/strong> has faced several delays<\/strong> since its initial announcement, and as of now, there is no confirmed launch date<\/strong>. However, EES is expected to be implemented in 2025<\/strong>, with the ETIAS system<\/strong> following about six months after. This gives UK travellers time to adjust to the changes and ensure they are prepared for the new visa waiver requirements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the changes are in place, British passport holders will no longer be able to enter Europe visa-free<\/strong>. Instead, they will need to apply for an ETIAS visa <\/a>waiver, which costs \u00a36<\/strong> and is valid for three years<\/strong> or until the passport expires. The EES system<\/strong> will also require biometric data, meaning fingerprints and facial recognition scans<\/strong> will become part of the entry process. These measures are designed to increase border security and help track entry and exit dates more effectively across the Schengen Area<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n