British holidaymakers will face a €7 EU visa waiver next summer

British holidaymakers planning trips to Europe will soon have to book a €7 visa waiver, as the EU prepares to introduce its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) by the middle of next year.

The EU has confirmed that the scheme, which applies to more than 60 non-EU countries including the UK, is scheduled to start ‘in the first half of 2025’.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson indicated during the announcement of the related Entry/Exit System (EES) that the visa waiver could be operational in time for the May holidays in 2025. EU travelers will go live on November 10 this year to register their fingerprints and a photo in place of traditional passport stamps.

The ETIAS system will function in the same way as the US ESTA, requiring an online application before travel. Once approved, the waiver is valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. This includes travel to the Schengen area, which includes most EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The Ministry of the Interior has stated this more details about the ETIAS rollout is expected from the EU “in due course”.

This update coincides with the highly anticipated launch of the EES, which has suffered multiple delays. Commissioner Johansson emphasized that the EES would bring strict digital border controls to “every airport”, “port” and “road into Europe”, increasing security across the continent.

More than 700 million tourists visited Europe last year, and the new systems are intended to increase security by ensuring stricter supervision of entrances and exits. “We will know if people are overstaying,” Johansson said, adding that the systems will make it harder for people using fake passports, including criminals and spies, to enter the EU.

Understanding the EES and ETIAS

The EES requires travelers entering the EU to provide fingerprints, a photograph and passport details during an initial registration process. This registration is valid for three years and will replace the need for passport stamps, although it is expected to add at least two minutes to the current border processing time per passenger, potentially leading to longer queues.

The ETIAS, on the other hand, will apply to citizens from countries that currently do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area. While the €7 fee is modest compared to the $14 charged for the US ESTA, the requirement reflects the EU’s efforts to improve border security amid ongoing concerns about migration and terrorism.

The application process is designed to be fast, with most approvals granted automatically within minutes. However, more complex cases can take up to 72 hours, and in exceptional situations up to four weeks. The surcharge applies to travelers aged 18 to 70, with exceptions for children and seniors over 70.

British travelers will need to complete the ETIAS application online or via a mobile app, provide passport information and answer questions regarding criminal records and medical history. Although the procedural step is small, it represents a significant change for British citizens who are used to visa-free travel within Europe.