The rules have been delayed a number of times, but are expected this year
UK holidaymakers have been granted a reprieve as the expected £6 visa-waiver introduction has been postponed until late 2025. When it does come into effect, Brits will be required to secure an ‘e-visa’ online prior to visiting most EU nations.
Additionally, the familiar passport stamping process might be phased out, with travellers potentially needing to provide fingerprints at the borders of 29 European countries. The European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (Etias), initially slated for a November 2023 launch, has faced several delays, now aiming for a November 2025 rollout.
Consumer watchdog Which? has indicated that once Etias is operational, UK passport holders will need to purchase the visa-waiver to enter Europe’s Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel. The European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), which includes fingerprint scanning, was originally scheduled to start in 2022, reports the Daily Record.
The European Commission has stated that Etias won’t commence until six months after EES kicks off, which “will not start in the first half of 2025”. While we await further details on a potential start date, many are wondering what this all means and which regions constitute the Schengen Area.
Below, we’ve compiled all the essential information.
How will Etias function?
Under this scheme, Brits planning a holiday will need to apply online for a visa-waiver and cough up a fee of €7 (around £6) before setting off. This initial authorisation is expected to last for three years, or until your passport expires.
The Etias will grant residents of the 63 visa-exempt countries, including the UK post-Brexit, access to the Schengen Zone with an electronic authorisation instead of a full visa.
At present, there’s no way to register for an Etias travel authorisation. While several unofficial websites are offering information about the Etias, it’s recommended to get your info straight from the horse’s mouth – the European Union website.
So, how does the EES work?
The Entry/Exit system will require non-EU citizens to provide biometric data, including a fingerprint and facial scan, every time they enter any of the 29 European countries. Kids under 12 are off the hook.
This scheme is set to replace passport stamping, sparking concerns about potential delays at already bustling airports and ports. The impact could be particularly significant in Dover, where French officials carry out checks on British soil.
Where will you need an Etias authorisation to travel?
You’ll need the visa-waiver to visit all the Schengen Zone states, as well as non-Schengen Area microstates like Andorra and Monaco. Plus, you’ll need it for trips to Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, as they’re all EU member states.
The Schengen Area is a travel zone where passport checks are not required to cross borders. Here’s a comprehensive list of countries that will necessitate 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