BRITS heading abroad won’t be penalised if they don’t get the new European visa-waiver as soon as it starts.
The new Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) system, first announced back in 2016, is a visa-waiver required for all Brits heading to Europe.
Brits will get a six-month leniency period when the new ETIAS system starts[/caption]
It is expected to start after the EES system is introduced (stock image)[/caption]
As part of the new European entry rules, which also includes the Entry/Exit System (ESS), the visa waiver will cost around €7 and last for three years.
This is similar to the ESTA which Brits need when travelling to the US.
Having been constantly delayed, it is currently expected to start in early 2026.
However, officials have confirmed that holidaymakers will have a six month leniency period when it finally starts.
Tourists will still have to apply for one and follow the entry rules, but won’t be stopped from travelling without one.
They told Schengen News: “The launch of ETIAS will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months.
“This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their ETIAS travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.”
An official start date for the ETIAS rules are yet to be confirmed.
However, they added that it will “take place a few months after the introduction of the Entry-Exit System (the EES).”
The EES has also been constantly delayed, with the latest start date suggested to be the end of the year.
Anyone under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 will not need to pay for an ETIAS, but instead will be able to get it for free.
And a new app is being tested which will be rolled out for Brits heading to Europe.
The app will allow holidaymakers to speed up the entry process, which will require new biometric checks from tourists as part of the EES.
Frontex Deputy Executive Director Uku Särekanno said: “Frontex is currently developing a prototype of an app that will help speed up this process and allow travellers to share some of the information in advance.”
Details will also include full names, date of birth, passport numbers, length of travel and reason for travel.
The biometric checks will only need to be taken once, but will need to be repeated when passengers travel with a new passport.
The process is expected to take between 90 seconds and two minutes per person.
The app will not be mandatory, but will be encouraged to speed up the airport process.
The Sun’s Head of Travel explains what EES means for you
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has warned that the EES will result in huge changes at the border for Brits.
“THE looming introduction of the long-delayed European Entry Exit System could lead to yet more pain for passengers leaving the UK.
“While airports across Europe have the space to add this additional process it is still going to add a huge amount of extra time to the customs checks.
“Although it will remove the need to have stamps in your passport, everything will still need to be checked either by a border officer or an e-gate.
“Where things could get really bad are at ports like Dover – where there are significant space constraints and multiple individuals will be travelling together in cars and coaches.
“Both Eurostar and Le Shuttle have invested millions in new facilities to process passengers but it is almost inevitable that the first few months of the system could lead to lengthy delays as we all get used to the new system.”
Here are some other rules Brits should be aware of when it comes to travelling abroad this year.
And here are the passport checks you should take before booking a holiday.
Brits won’t be turned away if they don’t have the full ETIAS during the period[/caption]
