How will the EU visa waiver scheme work?

Woman walking through airport with phone and suitcase

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 22 August 2024

UK citizens travelling to the EU next summer will have to pay €7 as part of a new visa waiver scheme.

It will be similar to the US Esta, and apply to 30 countries in Europe. Holidaymakers and business travellers will need to apply and pay for the waiver before they jet off.

It will be another thing for holidaymakers to remember, on top of things like arranging travel insurance and making sure they pack a travel-friendly debit or credit card.

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We look at how the scheme will work, who has to pay, and how to apply.

What is the EU visa waiver scheme?

The new scheme is called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias).

Currently, visitors from the UK can visit the EU's borderless Schengen area for up to 90 days every 180 days without a visa.

This is also the case for citizens of other countries, such as the US, Canada and Australia.

The arrival of the Etias scheme will change this. Visitors from certain non-EU countries - including the UK - will need to apply for a visa waiver to travel to the EU for up to 90 days every 180 days. Longer stays will require a visa.

It means 1.4 billion people from more than 60 countries will be required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short visit.

When will the scheme launch?

There is no official start date for the waiver scheme yet. The EU says it will begin in "the first half of 2025".

Ylva Johansson, the EU home affairs commissioner, said recently that it would likely come into force by May 2025. This could affect holidaymakers travelling during the May half-term, as well as the summer holidays next year.

The EU says it will run a six-month “transitional period” after the Etias is introduced. This means those travelling will be expected to apply for the waiver, but will not be refused entry at the border if they do not have it but fulfil other entry conditions.

Which European countries does it apply to?

There are 30 European countries that require a visa waiver from UK travellers. These include holiday hotspots like France, Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia.

Visa waivers will also be needed to visit popular cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. You can view the full list on the EU website.

Visiting Ireland or Turkey will not require an Etias authorisation.

How much will the EU visa waiver cost?

The waiver will cost €7 (about £6) for most people. This is cheaper than the US Esta, which has a price tag of $21 (£16).

You won’t need to buy a new visa waiver for every trip, as it will last for three years and allow an unlimited number of visits.

However, it will be linked to your passport, so if your passport expires in less than three years, you will need to apply for a new Etias when you get a new passport.

Does everyone have to pay the visa waiver fee?

The €7 fee will apply to anyone between the ages of 18 and 70.

Travellers under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from the charge.

How do you apply for it?

It is not possible to apply for the scheme yet.

When it launches, passengers will be able to apply online or via a mobile app. The application form will take around 10 minutes to complete, according to the EU.

The details needed for the form will include passport information, employment details, any criminal convictions and medical conditions.

More than 95% of applications will be approved automatically within minutes, the EU says. But in some cases it may take up to 72 hours.

Applications could also be denied.

Ruth is an award-winning financial journalist with more than 15 years' experience of working on national newspapers, websites and specialist magazines.

She is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their finances. She was previously editor of Times Money Mentor, and prior to that was deputy Money editor at The Sunday Times.

A multi-award winning journalist, Ruth started her career on a pensions magazine at the FT Group, and has also worked at Money Observer and Money Advice Service.

Outside of work, she is a mum to two young children, while also serving as a magistrate and an NHS volunteer.