Brits Travelling To Europe Will Have To Apply & Pay For A New Visa Waiver Starting Next Summer

The EU is planning to introduce a new visa waiver called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), that will see Brits pay to travel to parts of mainland Europe.

Under new rules, visitors from a list of non-EU countries, including the UK, will need to apply for a waiver, similar to a US Esta, before travelling to 30 countries in Europe. 

The waiver will cover travel to the Schengen area, and will cost €7 (£6) for some non-EU citizens, including Britons, by summer 2025.

The fee will apply to anyone between the ages of 18 and 70 but will be free for children and the over-70s.

The scheme was originally due to start in 2021, but the European authorities have so far postponed the scheme’s launch date five times – most recently to 2025.