Scots will have to pay to travel to Europe next year – here’s what you need to know
SCOTS will have to pay to travel to anywhere in Europe next year as more changes are set to hit the UK.
People looking to go on holiday to any EU country will have to pay to enter due to a new visa system.
This is due to a new post-Brexit scheme being rolled out in 2023 for all UK travellers.
Holidaygoers will need to fork out for a new ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).
It will be required if travelling to any European country by plane, boat or car, and is also needed even if only transiting through Europe.
It will cost £5 (€7), and any travellers between 18 and 70 years old will have to have one - and the application takes around ten minutes.
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They must be applied for before travelling and can be completed online, but travellers will need to complete it at least 96 hours before departure.
But they will allow unlimited access to a number of European countries.
Thankfully they will last three years, although will expire if you have to get a new passport.
The application is set to act as an electronic travel permit, and aims to enhance the security of Europe's Schengen zone.
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And, according to The European Commission, an estimated 95 per cent of applications will be successful.
So how will they work?
Before passengers board a plane, airlines will have to check the visa along with their passport and boarding pass.
And although they last three years, they will expire if a passport is renewed before then.
Anyone staying in an European country for more than 90 days will need a different type of visa depending on the reason.
The new digital system will check the person’s name, biometric data and the date and place of entry and exit.
This will replace the stamping of passports and instead scan the documents.
Until then, make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit, or it could get you banned from visiting the country.
The new visa system was meant to be rolled out this year, but was delayed by the new European Union Entry and Exit System (EES) system being rolled out across Europe later this year.
What information do I need to give when applying for an ETIAS?
Applicants will need to provide the following information when filling out their application:
- An email address
- Debit or credit card
- A passport with an expiry date after the length of the intended stay in Europe
Applicants will also need to provide some personal information as part of the form, inclduing:
- Identity (full name, DOB, gender, home address, nationality)
- Education and job
- Recent travel
- Criminal convictions
- If you have ever been kicked out of a country
What happens if my application is rejected?
An application for an ETIAS could be rejected if the document is reported stolen or missing.
It could also be rejected if the person poses a security risk or an epidemic risk, or if there is reasonable doubt about the information provided.
If the details of the applicant changes, or if the person has overstayed a visit in the past, then the ETIAS could be revoked.
It could also be revoked if the person's passport is reported missing or stolen.
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Here are some of the other new rules Brits need to be aware of when travelling to Europe since Brexit.
And holidaymakers heading to the US will now have to pay more to get a ESTA, the US visa, with the price going up by 50 per cent from today.
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