British nationals to face €7 fee to enter the Schengen Area

New entry requirement for Schengen travel

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The European Commission has confirmed that British nationals will be required to pay a visa‑waiver fee in order to enter Europe’s Schengen Area. The measure forms part of a wider effort to strengthen border security across the bloc.

What is ETIAS?

The requirement relates to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), an online platform designed to pre‑screen visa‑exempt travellers from non‑EU countries before they arrive at the Schengen border.

ETIAS is scheduled to be introduced before the end of 2022 and will apply to non‑EU nationals who do not currently require a visa to visit the Schengen Area.

Application process

Travellers will need to complete an online application via the official ETIAS website or mobile app. According to the European Commission, more than 95 per cent of applications are expected to receive automatic approval.

In cases where additional checks are required, the authorisation process may take up to 30 days.

Cost and validity

The ETIAS authorisation will cost €7 for applicants aged between 18 and 70. The fee is a one‑off payment and the authorisation will be valid for three years, allowing multiple entries into Schengen states during that period.

Mandatory checks at the border

Holding a valid ETIAS approval will be a mandatory condition of entry into the Schengen Area. Border guards will verify the authorisation alongside standard travel documents when travellers cross the EU’s external borders.

The European Commission will announce the exact date from which travellers can begin applying on its official website.

European Commission statement

The Commission stated that prior verification of visa‑exempt non‑EU citizens will:

• Facilitate border checks
• Reduce bureaucracy and delays for travellers
• Ensure coordinated and harmonised risk assessments
• Significantly lower the number of entry refusals at border crossings

It also stressed that ETIAS will not change which non‑EU countries are subject to visa requirements, nor will it introduce visas for nationals who are currently visa‑exempt.