The EU has confirmed that British citizens will be eligible for ETIAS when it is launched at the end of 2022. This means that UK nationals will not need a visa for short stays in Europe after Brexit but an ETIAS visa waiver will be required.
As EU citizens, Britons had enjoyed freedom of movement across the EU. Although there are no new visa requirements for British citizens travelling to Europe, there are some new rules and regulations to be aware of after Brexit.
British passport holders must meet all the ETIAS requirements for third-country nationals in order to apply. More information about the documents needed and other eligibility criteria can be found below.
DO UK PASSPORT HOLDERS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE?
British passport holders DO NOT need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area short-term after Brexit. The UK has now joined a group of visa-exempt third countries which means that, although the UK is now a third-nation, its citizens are not subject to visa requirements.
Whilst a visa is not needed for short trips, an ETIAS visa waiver is. Fortunately, ETIAS is much quicker and easier to apply for than a visa for Europe. The ETIAS application process will be fully online with no need to visit an embassy or consulate in person.
ETIAS is valid for business, tourism, and transit purposes. British citizens who wish to enter for other reasons such as to work should check the visa requirements of the specific EU member state.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK
From 2022, British passport holders will need to register before travelling to any of the ETIAS countries. This includes top tourist destinations including Spain, Italy, and France.
To register, UK citizens will need to complete the online ETIAS application form.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK
As ETIAS is not a visa, document requirements are minimal. British applicants should have the following to hand before proceeding with their request:
- Valid UK passport
- Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fees
Applying for an ETIAS online will be easy and fast, since it will not take more than ten minutes to complete and only requires a valid travel document. Once granted, the ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for a period of three years and will be a multiple-entry permit, meaning that it would cover any trips within its validity period.
It is stated that it will cost 7 euros to apply for an ETIAS. Persons under 18 do not need pay.
