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.
