Brexit Visa For Europe
The UK’s vote to leave the EU could mean that British citizens may have additional hurdles to jump if they want to visit Europe. The United Kingdom will need to negotiate a new visa regime for its citizens in order to continue traveling visa-free.
The UK leaving the European Union (EU) will affect both the EU and the UK. The government has stated that they are in the process of developing a new set of visa rules. The current situation is unclear at this time, and there is no indication on what new rules or regulations may take shape. It is important to be aware of potential visa changes, especially if you are a citizen of another country outside of the EU.
Will I need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit?
Since Brexit, citizens of the UK have not needed a visa to visit any European Union member states. Passengers arriving in EU countries can enter using only their British passport.
From May 2023, UK travellers will need an ETIAS visa waiver to enter EU countries. The authorization will be valid for 3-year periods and allow an unlimited amount of entries.
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) has not been launched yet. However, it will be a requirement for many nationalities (not just the UK) who travel to any of the countries in the Schengen Area.
An ETIAS visa waiver is not a visa. It is instead an electronic travel permit that has been introduced to enhance the security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone. British citizens will need to obtain this visa waiver to enter Europe like other visa-exempt third countries such as the USA and Canada once ETIAS goes live in 2023.
What do I need to visit the EU from the UK after Brexit?
British passport holders will need to register with ETIAS from May 2023. This will be very simple. UK travellers will need to complete the short ETIAS online application form. The application form should not take longer than 10 minutes to complete.
Applicants will need to enter a range of information on the online form including their name, address, passport details and answer background questions regarding health and any past criminal convictions.
The vast majority of applications will be very quickly approved.
Do you need to pay to enter Europe from the UK?
At present, there is no charge for Brits to enter the Schengen Area.
However, in May 2023, the ETIAS will be launched. UK passport holders travelling to any Schengen country must register online before their trip. There will be a small ETIAS fee for British travellers to cover the cost of processing the application.
The EU has said that British applicants under 18 or over 70 will not have to pay for an ETIAS visa waiver.
Why do British citizens have to pay for the ETIAS?
Brits and other visa-free travellers must pay a small amount to cover the cost of processing the ETIAS registration.
The ETIAS online registration system will be much more convenient and affordable than what visitors from non-eligible countries will have to do — go all the way to an embassy or consulate to submit paperwork for a visa for each individual Schengen country.
There have been various false claims that the ETIAS fee for Brits is a “revenge tax” for Brexit, since all EU citizens can travel freely to anywhere within the EU without paying.
However, this charge is not exclusive to British citizens. All third-country nationals who enjoy visa exemption for the EU must register with the ETIAS and pay the small processing fee. This includes Americans, Canadians, and Australians, among others.
Now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, British citizens do not enjoy the perks of being an EU citizen and must abide by the same travel rules as any other visitor.
Why is ETIAS being introduced for Brits?
ETIAS is being implemented to improve the security of the region. It will help authorities to protect the Schengen Area in terms of international crime, terrorism, and health.
All applicants will be screened using security databases such as Interpol and Europol. This will allow the authorities to identify people who pose a potential risk and prevent them from entering Europe.
The United Kingdom is one of 61 countries whose citizens need to apply for an ETIAS from May 2023 before travelling to EU countries.