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EU Visa waiver and new travel rules

RiA
25 August, 2024
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Since leaving Europe there’s been several changes to what’s needed for travel in the EU for British citizens. Soon, another change will come into force affecting all non-European citizens across the world, including Britons as well. Here’s what the EU Visa waiver and new travel rules will mean when you go on holiday in Europe.

New travel rules

The new EU travel rules are likely to come into effect for the first time from Summer 2025. There will be a new Entry / Exit System and ETIAS’ (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). As part of the Entry / Exit System, visitors will need to have their fingerprints taken and for the ETIAS, you’ll need to fill in an online form and pay.

The ETIAS will be valid for up to three years and cost non-Europeans about £6 (about €7). It will cover the Schengen area except for Ireland and Cyprus which are both outside the zone. You’ll need to make sure you complete the form and pay before you travel as well as take your passport, which based on travel changes since Brexit, still require you to have at least three months validity and not more than 10 years old by your return home.

While the new EU travel rules process will start by the end of this year, they should officially come into full force over the next 18 months.

What does this mean?

If you plan to go on holiday to any of the 30 European countries in the Schengen area by summer 2025, you’ll need the new EU Visa waiver.

Make sure you keep up to date with when the EU Visa waiver and new travel rules are fully in place. It’s always best to plan so you’re prepared. If you do forget, there will be a grace period.

Here’s a list of the countries where non-Europeans will need the Visa waiver:

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

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EU Visa waiver and new travel rules

25/08/2024 No Comments

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For more travel tips on visiting Europe since Brexit read ‘5 post- Brexit UK travel tips and advice‘ and for more general tips, head to the Tips & Advice page.