uk travellers pay to visit eu

What travelers should know about the UK's new entry fee

Jun 15, 2023 • 4 min read

The UK is introducing a pre-travel authorization system © Getty Images

If you have plans to travel to any country within the UK ( England , Scotland , Wales or Northern Ireland ), you'll need to pay an entry fee starting in 2024.

The new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) , as it's called, will cost about £10 ($12.50 )  and will be fully implemented at the end of 2024 as the UK continues to digitalize its border control systems. The ETA will require some visitors to apply for an electronic pass to enter the UK for tourism, short-term business, transit and other common travel purposes.

It's a completely electronic system, based on the  United States' ESTA system , so you won't have to get bogged down on paperwork. Just as British travelers need to sign up for ESTA online before entering the US, Americans will likely be required to do the same for travel to the UK. 

So, how will the ETA work when it's implemented? It's not yet clear exactly what screening criteria will be used to grant an ETA but passengers will more than likely be asked to register passport information and answer a series of security questions online to determine eligibility.

Assuming you are successful, you will be issued with a pass which, combined with your passport, entitles you to visit the UK for a specific period.

Do you need a visa to go to the United Kingdom?

Here's what we know so far.

Who will need an ETA to enter the UK?

According to the government, the ETA applies to people who are eligible to travel to the UK without a visa. So that is anyone arriving for tourism purposes, visiting family or friends, or traveling to the UK for business or study for up to six months. It also applies to people eligible for the Creative Worker visa concession  and anyone transiting through the UK .

The UK is rolling out the new system in phases. Starting November 15, it will apply to visitors from Qatar. Then from February 22, 2024, it will be extended to citizens from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The UK government has not listed additional countries included in the scheme but it is expected to be applied to all foreign visitors who currently have visa-free access to the UK, such as European Union citizens and people from the US, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Argentina, Israel, South Korea, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and more before the end of 2024.

Irish citizens are excluded from the ETA requirement due to the Common Travel Agreement between the UK and Ireland.

Is the ETA a visa?

No. Nationals from some countries will still be required to apply for a visa and visa applications will continue to operate as before. The ETA is a pre-authorization system for travel that will apply to people from countries that currently have visa-free travel agreements with the UK. 

"The scheme will give the UK more control of our borders, allowing us to block threats from entering the UK while also providing individuals and carriers with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the UK," the government stated.

How much will it cost to apply?

It will cost £10 to apply, which works out to about $12.50 or €8.50.

How soon before traveling should I apply for my ETA?

The ETA will take up to 72 hours to be approved. ETAs will be valid for visa-free travel for up to six months in the UK.

How long will my ETA be valid for?

Two years — so you'll need to reapply every two years for renewed access to the UK or whenever your passport expires.

Will my ETA grant me access to European countries?

No, the ETA is valid for entry to the UK only. If you are a non-EU citizen and you're eligible to visit the European Schengen Zone without a visa for a short-term stay, you'll soon need to apply for a similar permit. That's called an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) and it is expected to be rolled out early next year. That one will cost about €7 (or $7.50). As the UK is no longer part of the EU, British travelers will also have to apply for an ETIAS to travel to much of Europe when the new system is in place. 

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UK travellers face £6 charge to enter Europe next year under new post-Brexit EU rules

The changes will affect non-eu citizens that do not need a visa to travel to the bloc.

British citizens travelling to the EU’s Schengen Area will be required to pay €7 (£6) from next year, under the bloc’s new travel system. 

In a further example of the aftereffects of Brexit , non-EU citizens who will be exempt from needing a visa will be asked to register and obtain authorisation before travelling to the EU. 

The changes form part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System which is due to come into effect by the end of 2022. 

Under the new rules, non-EU citizens, which includes Britons , will be asked to fill in an online form and pay just under £6 to be allowed to travel to the Schengen Area, which includes almost the entire EU, including holiday hotspots France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal .   

The authorisation will last for three years, and will allow multiple trips across different countries in the Schengen zone. 

The plans were confirmed by the European Council on Tuesday. It is part of the bloc’s increased security measures, which will allow it to cross-check travellers against EU information system for security reasons. 

It states that the new process will enable the EU to identify which travellers may pose a risk to “security or health, as well as compliance with migration rules”.

It is expected that 95 per cent of applicants will receive an instant approval. It is very similar to the US visa-waiver system ESTA.  

Critics of the UK’s decision to leave the EU will highlight the added bureaucracy it has created for those wanting to travel to Europe for a holiday.

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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

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You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Visas are now required for longer stays

If you’re a tourist, you won’t need a visa for short trips to most EU and EEA countries. You will be able to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay for longer than 90 days, or if you ’re working,  you will have to get a visa or travel permit.

The EU has set up this short-term stay visa calculator to help travellers calculate how much longer they can stay in Europe. Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s ‘travel advice’ pages  to find out the application process for each country.

The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus and Romania will be different (this is because they aren ’t in the Schengen area ): visits to those four countries will not count towards the 90-day total. 

These arrangements are up to date as of January 2024. They may change, so check back soon for the latest updates on travel to Europe.

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How will travel to the EU change for Britons after Brexit?

From 31 December, travel to EU countries will be different for UK citizens. We look into how passports, healthcare, driving and duty-free will be affected

T he impact of Brexit on European travel after 31 December 2020 is going to be a complicated one. A recent survey by Discover Ferries, which represents ferry operators in the UK and Ireland, reports that only one in three people felt confident about travel changes after the end of the transition period . Only 6% of respondents were aware of all the changes affecting EU travel in 2021.

Passports, healthcare, pets, driving and duty-free shopping were some of the topics causing confusion. Recent Covid-related travel restrictions have made things even less clear.

A fifth of those surveyed were planning European summer holidays in 2021; others were waiting to see how Brexit and Covid-19 play out. Discover Ferries director Abby Penlington said that because of 2020’s disruptions, operators were expecting passengers to book closer to their departure date than usual. She was optimistic about travel opportunities opening up, but said: “Amid UK lockdowns and the festive period, updating travel documents may not be at the forefront of the public’s mind.”

People need to plan ahead to do things like renew passports and update insurance, pet documents and driving permits. Here is what we know so far about travelling to EU countries in 2021.

Will Britons be able to travel to EU countries at all?

With the new coronavirus variant spreading, some countries have suspended travel from the UK, and people in tier 4 areas are banned from travelling abroad except for work purposes. EU Covid-19 guidance recommends that member states restrict non-essential travel from outside the EU – unless visitors come from countries with much-lower rates of infection, such as Australia and New Zealand.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta, representing the travel industry, pointed out that the European council’s guidance is only a recommendation. “Individual EU countries are still able to implement their own measures, considering options such as travel corridors and testing,” he said. He thought it would still be some weeks before the full position was clear.

An Abta spokesperson added: “Obviously, it’s subject to infection rates, but it’s a matter of common sense. British holidaymakers are very important for a number of EU countries. Several destinations will be desperate for us to come back.” According to Abta, UK travellers took more than 66 million European trips in 2019 .

There was a less sanguine view from the travel trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA). Its general secretary, Manuel Cortes, said early in December: “Just when we’ve had some good news from the vaccine rollout, this news about post-Brexit European travel restrictions could sound the death knell for the travel trade.

Are our passports still valid?

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new dark blue one or an old burgundy one, UK passports will need to have at least six months’ remaining validity before the holder can travel to Europe. Passports also need to have been issued less than 10 years ago, which is generally not a problem. There is a government passport checker here .

Travel to the Republic of Ireland will generally stay the same. It is part of a common travel area that existed before we were members of the EU, so UK visitors will still be able to enter Ireland with any valid passport or photo ID, such as a driving licence.

Will we need visas to visit the EU?

Not for stays of less than 90 days. The European freedom of movement we’ve had for decades will end on 1 January 2021. But UK travellers will, for now, still be allowed to visit EU countries visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days.

From 2022, under the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias), nationals from previously visa-free third countries, including UK citizens, will need to pay for a visa-waiver to visit Schengen-area countries. We will also need to fill in an Etias application form before setting off.

Will border control be different?

The UK government website says British visitors to EU countries may need to prove they have enough money to support themselves for the whole of their stay. They may also need to get their passport stamped and show a return or onward ticket. They will probably need to wait in a different queue from EU citizens, too. And (with a few exceptions) they won’t be able to take meat, dairy and certain plant products with them.

Can I drive in EU countries?

If you are driving your own car, you’ll need a green card (insurance certificate) to show that you’re insured in the EU. You need to contact your insurance company six weeks before you travel to get one. After 31 December, you’ll need a GB sticker on your car, too, even if the number plate already has a GB marking. If you only have a paper copy of your driving licence, you may also need an international driving permit – available at most post offices. For updates over coming weeks and months on which countries require one, check here .

Can I still travel with my pets?

Yes, but current EU pet passports will no longer be valid from 1 January; owners will need an animal health certificate instead. Government advice is to contact a vet at least four months in advance. Daniella Dos Santos, senior vice-president of the British Veterinary Association, said: “The UK has been confirmed as Part 2-listed , which means pets will need an animal health certificate every time they travel to the EU. Pet owners should visit their vet at least a month before travel regarding rabies vaccination, and then again no more than 10 days before travel to obtain the animal health certificate. Our advice to pet owners is to contact their vet in plenty of time to get the latest advice and allow time for the necessary additional paperwork.”

Will I still be able to access healthcare?

The overall picture is complicated and the UK government recommends taking out travel insurance with healthcare cover . No new European health insurance cards (Ehics) will be issued to UK citizens, but holders can continue to use them in the EU while validity lasts. The new UK-EU agreement suggests there will be a replacement healthcare scheme (involving a global health insurance card), but there are no clear details yet.

Will I have to pay roaming charges again on my mobile phone?

In 2017, the EU abolished additional charges for roaming (using your mobile phone abroad) for EU citizens travelling in other EU countries. Before that, holidaymakers could sometimes inadvertently incur hefty extra fees. From 1 January, individual mobile providers could introduce roaming surcharges again.

The UK’s four main phone networks – EE, Three, Vodafone and O2 – promised in the summer not to reintroduce charges. An EE spokesperson said: “Our customers going on holiday and travelling in the EU will continue to enjoy inclusive roaming.”

A new UK law means travellers can’t now incur mobile data charges of more than £45 a month without being alerted. For data usage costing more than £45, they’ll need to opt in by agreement with the operator.

What about duty-free?

The pre-Brexit rules let you bring as much as you like back from EU countries without paying UK duties. From January 2021 , there will be a duty-free allowance both ways. Up to this maximum, travellers can bring home goods bought in an EU country as long as they transport and use them themselves (or give them as a gift). The allowance for travellers from the EU to the UK includes up to four litres of spirits, 18 litres of wine and 42 litres of beer, so you could still stock up for a pretty good party.

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UK travellers will have to pay to enter Europe from end of 2023

Because of Brexit, UK nationals will need a visa to enter 30 European nations

• 09:29, 11 JAN 2023

UK travellers will soon have to pay to enter dozens of European countries in a new scheme due to launch later this year.

As previously reported, the fee will be paid for a new electronic travel permit that has been introduced to enhance the security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone. The new visa waiver is expected to be valid for three years and allow unlimited entries into the EU.

Travellers from the UK will also need to complete an online application form to obtain their ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). The application form should not take longer than 10 minutes to complete.

READ MORE: Little-known passport rule that may stop you travelling to Europe

It will cost 7 euros or £6.20 to complete, Birmingham Live reports. Applications will take up to four days to be processed, but the European Union claims it could be sorted "within minutes".

In order to get one, you will need to have your travel document, such as a passport, and payment card at hand when applying. You will receive a confirmation email which will include your unique ETIAS application number. Once processed, you will receive another email informing you of its outcome.

The EITAS will grant entry into 30 countries. These are:

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

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British travellers will need to pay €7 to visit Europe post-Brexit, EU reveals

The fee will be waived for those under 18 and those over 70, article bookmarked.

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British travellers will have to pay €7 to visit the EU after Brexit , the European Commission has confirmed.

From 2021, UK citizens will have to pay the fee every three years to pre-register for an electronic visa waiver, a system similar to the Esta scheme used by the US.

The pre-authorisation fee will be waived for travellers under 18 and those over 70, which means it will apply to an estimated 40 million Britons.

The proposed Etias (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will see citizens of 61 countries outside the Schengen area required to pre-register for ​visa-free travel

• How it feels to visit Ireland with a post-Brexit Irish passport
• Post-Brexit travel to Europe: all your questions answered

Predictions British tourists would have to pay to visit the EU after Brexit were previously dismissed as scaremongering by Leave campaigners. Yet draft regulation for the new travel scheme makes clear the UK would be considered a “third country” and subject to the same rules as other countries.

“The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will apply to United Kingdom nationals once union law on free movement of union citizens ceases to apply to them, as to other visa-free third country nationals,” it reads.

Natasha Bertaud, coordinating spokesperson for Jean-Claude Juncker, confirmed that the Etias would apply to British tourists after Brexit, but that it was “way cheaper” than an Esta.

Despite government hopes that the UK could negotiate an exemption from the fee, a European Commission spokesperson told Sky News : “Once Etias enters into operation, all visa-exempt non-EU nationals who plan to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply via Etias.”

Research from Abta, the body representing travel agents, shows that more than £33bn is spent each year by British travellers in Europe.

In 2017, there were 72.8 million visits overseas by UK residents, an increase of 3 per cent from 2016, according to the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics. Of the 10 most visited countries by Britons, nine are in Europe.

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UK travellers will have to pay to enter EU in 2022 following new rule

People from the UK travelling to European Union member countries will be forced to pay a fee and fill in additional paperwork starting this year as a consequence of Brexit

• 12:48, 6 JAN 2022
• Updated 14:07, 7 JAN 2022

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Starting this year, UK travellers entering the European Union will be forced to pay an additional charge.

Those looking to escape the country for some winter sun will find that they are subject to new fees and paperwork that were not in place before.

It follows the news that the rules around freedom of movement have changed following the UK's departure from the EU, as reported by Kent Live .

READ MORE - Woman rushed to hospital as busy Glasgow road closed after three-car crash

People from the UK travelling to EU member countries in the Schengen Area must pay a 7 euro (or £5.88) fee starting this year, as they will now be treated like any other non-EU citizen.

Additionally, they must also register their information before being permitted entry into one of these countries.

The European Travel and Information and Authorization Scheme (ETIAS) currently allows residents of 61 non-EU countries to enter the Schengen zone with pre-authorization.

Rather than needing a visa, the scheme charges a levy, which permits holders to stay in and travel around Schengen-signatory EU states for up to 90 days.

From late 2022, as part of post-Brexit arrangements, the UK will be added to ETIAS, covering all Schengen area nations - as well as a number of non-Schengen ‘micro-states’ such as the Vatican City.

The ETIAS scheme was first unveiled by the EU in 2016, as part of an effort to bolster security by allowing immigration officials to track visitors through the bloc, while not needing to impose a laborious visa scheme when travelling between member states.

When it was introduced, then-President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker praised the scheme as improving the management of EU borders, helping to decrease crime and terrorism, and reinforcing the bloc’s visa liberalization policy.

Currently, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa.

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As non-visa nationals, they can visit the UK as a ‘standard visitor’ without needing to apply for a visa in advance of travel and can seek entry at the UK border.

Standard visitors are able to stay in the UK for up to six months.

The Government has explained that there is no specified maximum period which an individual can spend in the UK over a given period, such as six months in every twelve months, as long as each individual visit does not exceed the maximum for a single visit, normally six months.

In contrast, UK citizens making short trips to the EU, EEA or Switzerland can stay without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

However, the UK Government has said visitors to the UK may be refused entry if it is “clear from their travel history they are seeking to remain in the UK for extended periods or making the UK their home via repeated visits”.

Press reports in May 2021 highlighted several cases of EU nationals being denied entry to the UK and sent to immigration removal centres.

In some cases, EU travellers were reportedly trying to enter the UK to stay here while looking for work.

Other reports also suggested that some travellers had been stopped from entering the UK to attend a job interview, although this is allowed under the visitor rules.

The European Commission raised concerns about the treatment of EU citizens.

The UK Government’s position is that: “Individuals without the necessary immigration permission for the activities that they intend to undertake in the UK, or where Border Force staff do not believe they meet the requirements for entry as a visitor, may be refused permission to enter at the border, which makes them liable for detention”.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual number of visits to Europe by travellers from the United Kingdom (UK) decreased significantly in 2020 over the previous year.

Overall, the number of visits by UK travellers to Europe reached roughly 18.7 million in 2020, dropping from over 72 million in 2019.

Meanwhile, the number of overseas visits from Europe to the UK also fell sharply in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

The Schengen Visa Info services say the number of EU nationals in the UK decreased from 3.7 million registered in 2019 to 3.5 million recorded in 2020.

According to experts, such figures were mainly the result of the Brexit and the Coronavirus situation.

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British travellers will pay fee to visit Europe after Brexit

Now that the UK has left the EU, the rules for travel have changed and are set to change even further. Many Brits are now asking if they will need to pay to enter Europe from the UK.

At present, there is no additional EU entry fee for British citizens. However, British travellers will have to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver every 3 years to travel to EU countries post-Brexit. The European Commission has confirmed that UK travellers can apply for the travel authorisation once it is implemented in 2025.

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit?

Since Brexit, citizens of the UK have not needed a visa to visit any European Union member states. Passengers arriving in EU countries can enter using only their British passport .

From 2025, UK travellers will be able to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver to enter EU countries. The authorisation will be valid for 3-year periods and allow an unlimited amount of entries .

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) has not been launched yet. However, it will be a requirement for many nationalities (not just the UK) who travel to any of the countries in the Schengen Area .

An ETIAS is a visa waiver, rather than a visa. It is an electronic travel permit that has been introduced to enhance the security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone. British citizens can obtain this visa waiver to enter Europe like other visa-exempt third countries such as the USA and Canada once ETIAS goes live in 2025.

What do I need to visit the EU from the UK after Brexit?

British passport holders will be able to register with ETIAS from 2025. This will be very simple. UK travellers will need to complete the short ETIAS online application form . The application form should not take longer than 10 minutes to complete .

Applicants will need to enter a range of information on the online form, including their name, address, and passport details , and answer background questions regarding any past criminal convictions.

Do you need to pay to enter Europe from the UK?

There is currently no charge for Brits to enter the Schengen Area.

However, in 2025, the ETIAS will be launched. UK passport holders travelling to any Schengen country must register online before their trip. There will be a small ETIAS fee for British travellers to cover the cost of processing the application.

The EU has said that British applicants under 18 or over 70 will not have to pay for an ETIAS visa waiver.

Why do British citizens have to pay for the ETIAS?

Brits and other visa-free travellers must pay a small amount to cover the cost of processing the ETIAS registration .

The ETIAS online registration system will be much more convenient and affordable than what visitors from non-eligible countries will have to do — go all the way to an embassy or consulate to submit paperwork for a visa for each individual Schengen country.

There have been various false claims that the ETIAS fee for Brits is a “revenge tax” for Brexit, since all EU citizens can travel freely to anywhere within the EU without paying.

However, this charge is not exclusive to British citizens. All third-country nationals who enjoy visa exemption for the EU must register with the ETIAS and pay the small processing fee. This includes Americans, Canadians, and Australians, among others.

Now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, British citizens do not enjoy the perks of being an EU citizen and must abide by the same travel rules as any other visitor.

Why is ETIAS being introduced for Brits?

ETIAS is being implemented to improve the security of the region. It will help authorities to protect the Schengen Area in terms of international crime, terrorism, and illegal migration.

All applicants will be screened using security databases such as Interpol and Europol . This will allow the authorities to identify people who pose a potential risk and prevent them from entering Europe .

The United Kingdom is one of 50 countries whose citizens need to apply for an ETIAS from 2025 before travelling to EU countries.

How long can you travel in Europe after Brexit?

At the moment, UK citizens can travel to any country in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa . It is also possible to move between the countries in the zone without border checks.

This will continue to be the case after the ETIAS is launched. The only difference will be that Brits will have to register with the system online before travelling.

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Europe to require new entry fee for visitors

After all the pandemic-era regulations and international travel rules, get ready for one new requirement coming for travelers to Europe in 2023. The European Travel Information and Authorization System will introduce a mandatory registration and a 7 euro (about $7.50) fee for visitors to most European countries as of May 2023. While some people have called this a "visitor tax," the stated reason for the program is improved security. According to then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker when ETIAS was announced in 2016, "We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is traveling to Europe before they even get here."

ETIAS states the system will be able to "Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism" and "Impede irregular migration." With the system, Americans and visitors from 62 other countries will still be able to travel visa-free in most European nations.

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What is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is an electronic process to pre-screen, profile, approve and register visitors to the 26 countries of the European Schengen Zone who don't currently need a visa to enter. Similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization entry approval system, ETIAS will cross-check visitor information with government databases and watch lists before issuing authorization to enter. The information collected will also be used in data tracking for business and tourism purposes. ETIAS covers European countries that are part of the Schengen Zone travel agreement, in a region mostly overlapping the EU, with the addition of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein but minus Ireland. An individual's ETIAS authorization will be valid for an unlimited number of entries over three years.

Countries in the Schengen Zone to require ETIAS:

• The Czech Republic.
• Liechtenstein.
• Luxembourg.
• The Netherlands.
• Switzerland.

Who needs to apply for ETIAS?

All U.S. citizens and those from the other 62 non-EU countries that are not currently required to apply for a visa will need ETIAS authorization to enter the EU for visits of up to 90 days, including transit passengers. Only visitors who are between the ages of 18 and 70 will need to pay the application fee, but those of all ages will still need ETIAS authorization to enter. If you have applied separately for a visa to enter Europe, you will not need to complete the ETIAS application.

Related : A country-by-country guide to where you can travel without a COVID-19 test

When and where will ETIAS go into effect?

This long-planned and much-delayed system is currently targeted to be fully operational in May 2023. At that point, airlines and other transport systems will be required to check for ETIAS authorization prior to allowing passenger boarding, and visitors will be required to complete the application process prior to travel. At land borders, visitors can complete the application at an electronic kiosk.

How do you apply for ETIAS?

Before traveling, you'll need to access the ETIAS online application to input passport information, name, date and place of birth, an email address, phone number, and a credit or debit card to submit the payment fee. You'll also need to provide your destination, as well as answer a few background and profile questions. The ETIAS website indicates the form should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Approval for most applicants should take only a matter of minutes. However, if an item is flagged in the application, a manual review must take place. The applicant can then either correct the improperly entered information or appeal a denial decision.

Bottom line

No immediate action needs to be taken by U.S. citizens planning to visit Europe. However, be prepared for the May 2023 launch when you must go through one more step and pay one more fee in the traveling process as part of the ETIAS implementation. Stay tuned to The Points Guy for further developments related to this program.

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All Brits aged 18-70 will have to pay to visit Europe from next year – here is everything you need to know

• Kara Godfrey
• Published : 9:07, 26 May 2022
• Updated : 11:39, 27 May 2022
• Published : Invalid Date,

BRITS heading to Europe next year will have to pay to enter any EU country.

This is because of a new visa system being introduced for all UK travellers from 2023.

Called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System  (ETIAS), Brits will need to have one if travelling for less than 90 days during an 180 day period.

An ETIAS is required if travelling to any European country by plane, boat or car, and is also needed even if only transiting through Europe.

It will cost €7 (£5), and any travellers between 18 and 70 years old will have to have one.

They must be applied for before travelling and can be completed online, with Brits needing to complete it at least 96 hours before departure.

Read more travel stories

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

Do I have to renew my passport after Brexit? Latest travel advice

Applicants will be asked for information about their identity, passport, education, job, recent travel, and criminal convictions, including if you have ever been kicked out of a country.

Airlines will also have to check the visa before passengers can board the plane.

Thankfully they will last three years, although will expire if you have to get a new passport.

If you need to stay more than 90 days, you will need a different form of visa, depending on the reason.

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The new visa system was meant to be rolled out this year, but was delayed by the new  European Union Entry and Exit System (EES)  system being rolled out across Europe later this year.

The new digital system will check the person’s name, biometric data and the date and place of entry and exit.

This will replace the stamping of passports and instead scan the documents.

Until then, make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit, or it could get you banned from visiting the country.

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Here are some of the other new rules Brits need to be aware of when travelling to Europe since Brexit .

And holidaymakers heading to the US will now have to pay more to get a ESTA , the US visa, with the price going up by 50 per cent from today.

Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Monday 29 April 2024 09:17, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

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Install the Sky News app for free

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes

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EM on the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (COM(2024)127)

The government's summary of a European Commission report on the implementation and application of the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement in 2023.

EM on the third European Commission report on the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

PDF , 119 KB , 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

This explanatory memorandum is about  the third European Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation and application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom. .

It was submitted by Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister of State for Europe, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

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