Post-Brexit Britons are to pre-register details to travel to the EU, and pay a €7 fee starting in 2022. Daniel Hazelhoff reports…
Britons are to pay €7 fee to enter the EU from next year. Therefore UK residents will be obliged to apply for a travel authorisation to enter the EU starting mid-2022. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is a completely electronic system that allows entry to, and keeps track of, visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. The system is to be launched on 1 January 2022. However, it will be effective and obligatory by the end of 2022, according to schengenvisainfo.com.
This means there will be an adjustment period while the system gets up and running efficiently.
Britons to pay €7 to enter the EU
So what does this mean for Britons? Currently, there are 61 non-EU countries that are under the European Travel and Information Authorization scheme (ETIAS). The United Kingdom will now form a part of it. These 61 countries can enter the EU free from a traditional visa. Britons are to pay €7 fee to enter the EU by registering once every three years. The second fee will consist of just under €13. Every three years Britons must renew their ETIAS.
Some articles are suggesting that travellers from the UK will have to pay huge amounts to travel into Schengen Zone countries, but Valencia Life can find no such proof.
However, the European Commission has stated that by mid to late 2022, the UK will officially be part of the ETIAS scheme. The scheme seems to be a type of light travel visa, not too restrictive, and relatively affordable. This does, however, restrict British passport holders to no more than a 90-day stay in EU countries. It also prevents Britons from studying, or working in those countries. Individuals may however engage in business and travel.
Driven by concerns around terrorism
The argument for a wider use of the EITAS act involves security concerns regarding terrorism and the “migrant crisis have called for better management of who is entering EU borders” according to schengenvisainfo.com. They continue by stating “the main reason for the approval of the ETIAS authorization is security. With the increased risk of travel worldwide, the EU wants to ensure safe travels in its countries. The ETIAS will decrease security concerns through its information and data-gathering systems.”
So it seems that the ETIAS system is gathering information on individuals that travel through EU countries and applying risk assessments towards said individuals, either confirming or denying entry.
And furthermore, ETIAS authorization aims to assist EU countries and all travellers by:
- Reducing procedures and application times
- Improving the management of EU country borders
- Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism
- Impeding irregular migration
- Reinforcing the visa liberalisation policy of the EU
It’s safe to say that the key motivations are rooted in security measures, travel safety, data collection and quicker travel times.
Countries that require a valid ETIAS authorisation upon arrival are:
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