The highly-anticipated £6 visa-waiver’s launch that holidaymakers have been dreading has thankfully been postponed until late 2025. Once activated, British tourists will need to secure the ‘e-visa’ ahead of travel for most EU destinations.
In an even more significant overhaul, there could be a farewell to those familiar passport stamps, as a requirement for fingerprint provision is on the horizon when crossing the borders into any of the 29 European countries.
Initially scheduled to commence in November 2023, the European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (Etias) has seen multiple setbacks, with its latest projected start now in November 2025.
Consumer watchdog Which? states that once Etias eventually comes into effect, UK passport holders will need to purchase this visa waiver to gain access to Europe’s Schengen Area’s borderless travel regions.
Meanwhile, the separate European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), which introduces fingerprint scans, was originally tabled for 2022, reports the Daily Record.
Confirming these delays, the European Commission recently announced that Etias won’t roll out until six months post the EES implementation, which “will not start in the first half of 2025”.
Even with some time before we get a potential launch date, it begs the question what does this all imply, and what constitutes the Schengen Zone?
How will Etias operate?
Under this scheme, Britons planning a holiday will need to apply online for a visa-waiver and pay a fee of €7 (approximately £6) before travelling.
This initial authorisation is expected to remain valid for three years or until the passport expires.
The Etias will enable residents of the 63 visa-exempt countries, including the UK due to Brexit, to visit the Schengen Zone with an electronic authorisation instead of a full visa.
Currently, there is no way to register for an Etias travel authorisation. While several non-official websites provide information about the Etias, it is recommended to obtain your information from the European Union website.
So, how does the EES work?
The Entry/Exit system will necessitate non-EU citizens to submit biometric data, including a fingerprint and facial scan, when entering any of the 29 European countries. Children under the age of 12 are exempted.
This scheme aims to replace passport stamping, raising concerns about potential delays at already busy airports and ports. These delays could be significant in Dover, where French officials conduct checks on British soil.
Where will you need an Etias authorisation to travel?
The visa-waiver is required for travel to all Schengen Zone states, as well as non-Schengen Area microstates such as Andorra and Monaco. Additionally, it will be needed for visits to Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, as they are all EU member states.
The Schengen Area is a travel zone where passport checks are not required when crossing borders. Here is a comprehensive list of countries that will necessitate visa-exempt travellers to possess an ETIAS travel authorisation:
- 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
