The European Union is set to introduce a new visa waiver scheme for non-EU nationals, including British citizens, by mid-2025.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will require travellers from over 60 non-EU countries to obtain a €7 waiver before entering the Schengen zone. The scheme will apply to all EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Under the new system, eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180 days. The waiver will be valid for three years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
The EU Commission stated the €7 fee is “significantly lower” than the US Esta system, which costs $21. The waiver will be free for children and those over 70 years old.
Applications will be made online, with the EU estimating a 10-minute completion time. Over 95% of applications are expected to receive automatic approval within minutes, though some may take up to 72 hours or, in exceptional cases, four weeks.
The scheme aims to enhance security checks in response to migration concerns and terrorism threats. “Etias will assist member states in evaluating potential risks associated with individuals crossing their borders,” the EU website stated.
Alongside Etias, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled to launch on 10 November. EU Commissioner Johansson said EES will implement digital border checks at “every single airport”, “harbour”, and “road into Europe”.
The EES will require travellers to provide biometric data and passport information upon first entry, valid for three years. Experts warn this could increase processing times at borders.
