The European Union has confirmed there will be a six-month transitional period for the introduction of its new visa-waiver scheme, during which Brits and other non-EU visitors will still be allowed entry without authorisation.
The visa-waivers, known as ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, are due to be introduced following the launch of the EU’s European Entry and Exit system (EES), which was postponed indefinitely at the end of last year.
Once the EES is up and running, which is likely to be later this year, Brits will have to apply for an ETIAS, at a cost of €7 per person for three years.
However, the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs has announced that travellers will still be allowed to enter the EU without an ETIAS for six months following their introduction, providing they meet other entry requirements.
Once the six-month transitional period is over, there will be a further grace period, according to Schengen News. It said during this time, Brits entering the EU for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed in without an ETIAS, as long as they meet other entry criteria.
