What the UK’s ‘third country’ status after Brexit means for British travellers

Analysis: After we leave the EU, Britons will have to pay a modest fee to enter the EU. But as Helen Coffey explains, holidaymakers may face other costs too

Friday 14 December 2018 18:18 GMT
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Travelling to the EU will be more complicated after Brexit
Travelling to the EU will be more complicated after Brexit

We now know that UK citizens will have to pay to enter the EU when the new Etias visa-waiver system launches – assuming of course that Brexit happens. But there remain many more questions about the impact Brexit will have on British travellers.

The European Commission confirmed today that after the UK leaves the EU it will be considered a “third country”, and as such Brits will have to cough up €7 to enter the bloc from 1 January 2021, when the online Etias system comes into play. We’ll join the likes of the US and Canada, along with 59 other countries currently eligible for visa-free travel in the Schengen area.

Once obtained, the Etias is valid for three years or until your passport expires.

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