British and US citizens who want to come to Europe on holiday next summer will have to pay a tax of 7 euros. This is because in 2025 the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will come into force, according to which citizens of non-EU countries, therefore citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada, will have to travel for exactly 7 euros, by filling out a form to request a visa exemption before entering the European Union (except for Cyprus and Ireland, which are outside the system), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which are not part of the EU but are in Schengen: so a total of 29 countries.
Brussels is developing a new border and entry management system that will enable national and European systems to communicate with each other, the Commission explained in a note. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will automate border checks and digitally register short-term visa holders and visa-exempt travellers each time they cross external borders for a short stay (up to 90 days within a total of 180 days). Etias will introduce a new travel obligation for tourists, who will have to apply for a travel permit by filling in an online form and paying a €7 fee.
The authorisation will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The new system is expected to go live in January 2025, but there will be a “six-month transition period”. Passengers under 18 and over 70 will be exempt from paying tax.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
