Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

THERE are lots of new rules in place for Brits wanting to travel to Europe since the UK left the EU.

One new change coming into place is a new visa that all UK travellers will need.

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Here is everything you need to know about the new EU visas.

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

Following Brexit, UK citizens will soon have to follow the same rules as non-EU residents when on holiday, so they will need to pay to enter the Schengen Area.

This refers to the 26 European states which include popular hotspots such as France, Spain, Greece and Portugal.

Brits will have to fill out a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) if travelling for less than 90 days.

An ETIAS is required if travelling to any European country by plane, boat or car, and is also needed even if only transiting through Europe.

They must be applied for before travelling and can be completed online, with Brits needing to complete it at least 96 hours before departure.

Applicants will be asked for information about their identity, passport, education, job, recent travel, and criminal convictions.

How much will the visas cost and how long will they last?

The visas will have to be paid for at the traveller’s expense.

They will cost €7 to complete the visa-waiving form although anyone under 18 or over 70 will not have to pay.

The ETIAS will be valid for three years or until your passport expires.

When will the visas be introduced?

The ETIAS are expected to be introduced by the end of 2022, and will start from 2023.

The government is yet to launch the official website for applications.

It was originally expected for them to be in place by the beginning of next year, but this has since been delayed in mid-2023 due to logistical problems rolling out the new systems.

This is because of the new European Union Entry and Exit System (EES) system being rolled out.

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