Latest news with #EES
Local France
a day ago
- Local France
ETIAS: Fee for European travel authorisation set to increase to €20
ETIAS - the second part of the EU's new border control measures - will apply to tourists entering Europe from non-EU or non-Schengen zone countries (including the UK) as well as others coming for short visits. Under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), non-EU nationals who can travel to the Schengen area without a visa will have to apply for an online travel authorisation before departure, providing information such as name, date of birth and travel document number. They will also have to pay a fee for the three-year travel authorisation (although under 18s and over 70s are exempt). The Commission said on Friday that the ETIAS is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, at a higher fee than initially planned. "Taking into account the rise in inflation since 2018 and additional operational costs related eg to new technical features integrated into the system, the fee will be adjusted to €20 per application, valid for a period of three years,' the Commission said. Advertisement "It will also bring the cost for a travel authorisation to the EU in line with similar travel authorisation programmes such as the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA),' the EU executive added. The UK launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation in 2023 and extended it to EU nationals in 2025, increasing its cost from £10 to £16 in April. While the ETA lasts two years, the ETIAS is valid for three years. The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $21. People under 18 or over 70 years of age at the time of application will be exempted from the ETIAS fee. The new fee will have to be endorsed by the EU Council and the European Parliament in the coming months. Which one is ETIAS again? The EU has big changes planned at its external borders, with two new systems - EES and ETIAS. EES is an enhanced passport check requiring biometrics including fingerprints and a facial scan. ETIAS is a travel authorisation which must be applied for online - and paid for - ahead of travel. The ETIAS 'is part of the new IT architecture of the EU that aims to strengthen security within our Union, while facilitating travelling of non-EU nationals,' the Commission said. Advertisement Both schemes apply only to people who are travelling on the passport of a non-EU or Schengen zone country, and both schemes have a number of exemptions - including non-EU citizens who have residency within an EU or Schengen zone country. Find the full details here . When are these changes coming in? Initially envisioned for 2018, EES and ETIAS have been the subject of numerous delays, first because of the pandemic and then because of fears of queues at the border as countries struggled to get the necessary infrastructure in place. The busy UK-France border is a particular worry . The EES is set to begin its phased roll out in October 2025 after several delays due to the functioning of the huge IT infrastructure behind it and concerns expressed by several member states and travel companies at the chaos it could provoke, especially at juxtaposed border checks in the UK. ETIAS is currently scheduled for the last quarter of 2026 - although the plan is to wait until EES is working smoothly before ETIAS is introduced, so it could be delayed again.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Scots may be turned away from France under new rules
The new scheme is set to come into effect from next year Scots and other UK holidaymakers heading to France and other parts of the European Union (EU) could be denied entry if they lack a specific document, once a new scheme is implemented. A new travel permit, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is being introduced to bolster security and strengthen the borders of the Schengen zone. The ETIAS comes with a 7 euro fee, but according to the most recent update, UK travellers can journey to the EU without one until at least April 2027. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs projected that the ETIAS will be launched in the last quarter of 2026. However, due to a transitional and grace period, the obligation to apply for an ETIAS before departure won't become compulsory until 2027. The roll-out of ETIAS is linked to the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). After several delays, the EU has agreed to gradually introduce the EES from October this year. This phased introduction allows member states to progressively launch the new border system over a six-month period. If the EU decides to implement the EES in October 2025, member states will need to register ten per cent of travellers crossing the border after the first month. For the initial 60 days, the system can operate without biometric functionalities, reports the Liverpool Echo. However, by January 2026, all member states should have the EES operating with biometric functionalities, and by April 2026, the EES roll-out should be complete. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals travelling for short stays, each time they cross the borders of any of the following European countries utilising the system: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. If you're travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you'll need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, upon arrival. The EES registration will supersede the current practice of manually stamping passports when visitors enter the EU. Once the EES is fully operational, the ETIAS will be introduced. According to EU authorities, the ETIAS will be implemented six months after the EES, around October 2026. There will be a transitional period and a grace period, each lasting six months, which means that the ETIAS will become mandatory for most people in April 2027 and fully compulsory by October 2027. And if you don't have an approved ETIAS, you'll be denied entry to your destination country. The ETIAS is tied to a traveller's passport and remains valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first. Should you obtain a new passport, you'll need to secure a fresh ETIAS travel authorisation. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you're allowed to enter the territory of these European countries as often as you wish for short-term visits - generally up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nevertheless, this doesn't guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a border official will ask for your passport and other documentation, checking that you meet the entry criteria. The majority of ETIAS applications will receive approval "almost immediately", but should the system detect a mistake in your ETIAS application it may be refused. ETIAS applications might be declined if your passport is invalid, if you don't complete the application properly, if you do not attend a required interview, if you are considered a "risk" by officials, or if you have a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert. If your ETIAS application is refused you can lodge an appeal.
Local Germany
2 days ago
- Local Germany
ETIAS: Fee for European travel authorisation set to increase to €20
ETIAS - the second part of the EU's new border control measures - will apply to tourists entering Europe from non-EU or Schengen zone countries, including the UK, as well as others coming for short visits. Under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), non-EU nationals who can travel to the Schengen area without a visa will have to apply for an online travel authorisation before departure, providing information such as name, date of birth and travel document number. They will also have to pay a fee for the three-year travel authorisation (although under 18s and over 70s are exempt). The Commission said on Friday that the ETIAS is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, at a higher fee than initially planned. "Taking into account the rise in inflation since 2018 and additional operational costs related eg to new technical features integrated into the system, the fee will be adjusted to €20 per application, valid for a period of three years,' the Commission said. Advertisement "It will also bring the cost for a travel authorisation to the EU in line with similar travel authorisation programmes such as the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA),' the EU executive added. The UK launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation in 2023 and extended it to EU nationals in 2025, increasing its cost from £10 to £16 in April. While the ETA lasts two years, the ETIAS is valid for three years. The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $21. People under 18 or over 70 years of age at the time of application, as well as family members of EU citizens and of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely in the EU, will be exempted from the ETIAS fee. The new fee will have to be endorsed by the EU Council and the European Parliament in the coming months. Which one is ETIAS again? The EU has big changes planned at its external borders, with two new systems - EES and ETIAS. EES is an enhanced passport check requiring biometrics including fingerprints and a facial scan. ETIAS is a travel authorisation which must be applied for online - and paid for - ahead of travel. The ETIAS 'is part of the new IT architecture of the EU that aims to strengthen security within our Union, while facilitating travelling of non-EU nationals,' the Commission said. Advertisement Both schemes apply only to people who are travelling on the passport of a non-EU or Schengen zone country, and both schemes have a number of exemptions - including non-EU citizens who have residency within an EU or Schengen zone country. Find the full details here . When are these changes coming in? Initially envisioned for 2018, EES and ETIAS have been the subject of numerous delays, first because of the pandemic and then because of fears of queues at the border as countries struggled to get the necessary infrastructure in place. The busy UK-France border is a particular worry . The EES is set to begin its phased roll out in October 2025 after several delays due to the functioning of the huge IT infrastructure behind it and concerns expressed by several member states and travel companies at the chaos it could provoke, especially at juxtaposed border checks in the UK. ETIAS is currently scheduled for the last quarter of 2026 - although the plan is to wait until EES is working smoothly before ETIAS is introduced, so it could be delayed again.
Local Spain
2 days ago
- Local Spain
ETIAS: Fee for European travel authorisation set to increase to €20
ETIAS - the second part of the EU's new border control measures - will apply to tourists entering Europe from non-EU or Schengen zone countries, including the UK, as well as others coming for short visits. Under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), non-EU nationals who can travel to the Schengen area without a visa will have to apply for an online travel authorisation before departure, providing information such as name, date of birth and travel document number. They will also have to pay a fee for the three-year travel authorisation (although under 18s and over 70s are exempt). The Commission said on Friday that the ETIAS is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, at a higher fee than initially planned. "Taking into account the rise in inflation since 2018 and additional operational costs related eg to new technical features integrated into the system, the fee will be adjusted to €20 per application, valid for a period of three years,' the Commission said. "It will also bring the cost for a travel authorisation to the EU in line with similar travel authorisation programmes such as the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA),' the EU executive added. The UK launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation in 2023 and extended it to EU nationals in 2025, increasing its cost from £10 to £16 in April. While the ETA lasts two years, the ETIAS is valid for three years. The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $21. People under 18 or over 70 years of age at the time of application, as well as family members of EU citizens and of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely in the EU, will be exempted from the ETIAS fee. The new fee will have to be endorsed by the EU Council and the European Parliament in the coming months. Which one is ETIAS again? The EU has big changes planned at its external borders, with two new systems - EES and ETIAS. EES is an enhanced passport check requiring biometrics including fingerprints and a facial scan. ETIAS is a travel authorisation which must be applied for online - and paid for - ahead of travel. The ETIAS 'is part of the new IT architecture of the EU that aims to strengthen security within our Union, while facilitating travelling of non-EU nationals,' the Commission said. Both schemes apply only to people who are travelling on the passport of a non-EU or Schengen zone country, and both schemes have a number of exemptions - including non-EU citizens who have residency within an EU or Schengen zone country. Find the full details here. When are these changes coming in? Initially envisioned for 2018, EES and ETIAS have been the subject of numerous delays, first because of the pandemic and then because of fears of queues at the border as countries struggled to get the necessary infrastructure in place. The busy UK-France border is a particular worry. The EES is set to begin its phased roll out in October 2025 after several delays due to the functioning of the huge IT infrastructure behind it and concerns expressed by several member states and travel companies at the chaos it could provoke, especially at juxtaposed border checks in the UK. ETIAS is currently scheduled for the last quarter of 2026 - although the plan is to wait until EES is working smoothly before ETIAS is introduced, so it could be delayed again.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
New fees for Brits to enter France, Spain and Italy and when they come in
Because of Brexit, UK holidaymakers will soon need to pay to visit France, Spain, Italy and other EU countries UK holidaymakers will soon need to pay for a permit to enter France, Spain, Italy and other countries, although the need to apply for an European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been postponed. As per the latest update, Brits heading to the EU won't need an ETIAS until at least April 2027. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs said the ETIAS roll-out would likely begin in the final quarter of 2026. However, due to a grace period, UK travellers won't be required to secure an ETIAS before jetting off to the EU until 2027. The introduction of ETIAS is tied to the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES). After numerous setbacks, the EU has agreed to gradually implement the EES from October this year. This staggered approach allows member states to slowly introduce the new border system over a six-month timeframe. If the EU decides to kickstart the EES in October 2025, member states will need to register ten per cent of travellers crossing the border after the first month. For the initial 60 days, the system can function without biometric features. However, by January 2026, all member states should have the EES operating with biometric capabilities, and by April 2026, the EES roll-out should be fully operational. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals travelling for short stays each time they cross the borders of various European countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. If you're journeying to a Schengen area country using a UK passport, you'll need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, upon arrival. This EES registration will supersede the current practice of manually stamping passports when visitors enter the EU. Once the EES is fully up and running, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be rolled out. According to EU authorities, ETIAS will be launched six months after the EES, around October 2026. There will be a transitional period and a grace period, each lasting six months, which means that ETIAS will become mandatory for most people in April 2027 and fully compulsory by October 2027. The ETIAS application fee is 7 euros per traveller aged 18-70, with people outside of this age bracket exempt. ETIAS explained The ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for nationals exempt from visas travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is tied to a traveller's passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can frequently enter these European countries for short-term stays - typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, it doesn't assure entry, as you'll also need a valid passport, among other requirements.
