Date Brits will have to pay 'visa' fee to enter 30 countries including Spain

22 July 2023 , 09:45

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Brits will soon be paying to get to the EU

Brexit will now hit the pocket of British holiday goers who will have to pay for a travel permit to visit EU countries. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is another travel barrier for British people after they voted to leave the EU.

It will cost £6 (€7) for people over 18 to travel to the EU, as part of an entirely electronic system which keeps track of the visitors who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone, but do not have freedom of movement - soon to include Brits.

Visitors will be denied entry if they have not purchased the permit, which is available to 1.4 billion people from across 60 visa-exempt countries. The permit must be shown upon arrival at your destination.

The system will come into place from 2024. It was initially set to begin in 2022, but faced delays due to necessary updates to travel infrastructure.

An ETIAS gives UK citizens the right to stay in Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and is valid for three years - during which time you can return to Europe multiple times.

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Applicants for the ETIAS will undergo detailed checks to ensure you are eligible to travel to the EU - guidelines say the system will function in the same way as the American ESTA (Electronic System For Travel Authorisation).

It is possible to be denied an ETIAS, if you are not deemed eligible - this may include convicted criminals, those on travel watchlists, or those travelling from areas which may pose a danger to public health. The application will include questions about your employment, address, previous trips and medical records.

Which countries require an ETIAS?

Here is the full list of countries requiring a travel permit from 2024:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland.

Robbie Purves