Although the monumental decision to leave the E.U. was made by British citizens in 2016, Brexit was finally set in motion on January 31, 2020. This decision means that UK nationals will no longer have the same freedom to travel across E.U. countries without any kind of visa or prior approval. Among the 59 countries who need ETIAS, the UK is one of them.
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, and is a visa waiver that will be used to pre-screen travelers from countries not in the E.U. who also do not need a Schengen Visa. People from these countries have been able to travel freely into Europe, but in 2021, the new system will be a quick and easy way to assess travelers and ensure greater security and safety of European Union nationals.
Currently, there are millions of people traveling to the E.U. and visiting European countries for business, vacation, or education purposes. With the increase of terrorism and security threats in these areas, the E.U. Commission is looking for ways to ensure the safety of Europe’s residents. They hope that the ETIAS will help deter terrorists and other criminals while also closely monitoring all travelers.
The ETIAS will not apply to E.U. and Schengen nationals, who will be able to travel freely throughout their fellow E.U. and Schengen countries without any visas or waivers. Those who needed a Schengen visa to travel to Europe in the past will continue to need one.
Those not from the Schengen zone who have previously traveled to Europe simply with a passport will face the biggest change in their travel requirements. In 2021, they will need to start filling out the ETIAS to visit countries in the E.U. The list includes citizens from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and many more. Since the United Kingdom has recently left the European Union, the British will also need the ETIAS to travel into the E.U. starting in 2021.
For U.K. citizens, traveling for the rest of 2020 will remain the same as before Brexit, and they will not need a visa. This transition period will last until the end of the year, as previously agreed on by both the U.K. and the E.U. However, if no extensions for this agreement are created by January 2021, it is very likely that the ETIAS will become required for U.K. citizens to gain entry into the European zone for vacation, business, or even transit.
While many will need the ETIAS, the process to complete this waiver is not complicated and should only take a few minutes. Prospective travelers will need to apply via an online portal which they can access on desktop or mobile devices. They will have to provide basic background information about themselves, about their travel documents, and then specify their reasons for traveling. Lastly, they will pay a small application fee, and most likely be approved to travel in minutes.
