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UK travellers will have to pay a fee to visit the EU
As has long been discussed, the EU plans to finally start charging a visa-waiver fee for UK passport holders to enter, and they're calling it the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The stated main purpose of the fee is to increase security in Europe, and it will be a fee of €7 or around £6 and must be obtained at least 96 hours before departure.
Along with paying the fee, travellers will be required to fill in a form with basic information. This added rule adds another step to travelling to the EU, coming as a consequence of Brexit and losing the benefit of freedom of movement.
The rules for the amount of time spent you can in the EU will remain exactly the same as they are now, an allowance of 90 days in the EU within a 180-day period. If you want to stay more than 90 days, you will need a different visa entirely. Check the Gov.uk page for the latest travel info.
Do I need a visa to visit every EU country?
No, you only need an ETIAS when entering the Schengen area, which includes 27 EU member states, including France, Spain, Italy and Iceland. This includes Cyprus, who are in the process of joining the Schengen area.
Do I need to pay the fee every time I enter an EU country?
No, thankfully the visa waver fee lasts for three years, so you will only need to pay again once it expires, or if you get a new passport.
Who does the fee apply to?
The fee only applies to adults aged 18+, and under 70. Those who fall into these age brackets do not have to pay any fees.
When will the fee start?
Update 22 August 2024: The scheme was previously scheduled to start on May 2023, then November 2023, however the European Commission confirmed on its website that ETIAS is now “expected to be operational in May 2025”.
How will it affect UK travellers?
You may need to be more prepared, as it is not known how long it will take for your ETIAS to be approved. So you might not be able to spontaneously pop to Paris on the Eurostar, should the need take you (if you don't already have an active ETIAS).
More time may be needed at the airport, as airports/ferry ports/Eurostar etc are set to introduce new border checks, such as fingerprints and facial scans.