30-day warning for Brits wanting to travel to Europe for holidays
Brits have been warned their holidays could be ruined if they don't follow new EU rules.
If you're planning jetting off to Europe in the future, you'll want to pay close attention to this, or risk missing out on that trip abroad.
That's because a new set of rules are due to be introduced by the European Union following Brexit, because, of course, it is.
With Blighty now well and truly excommunicated from our brothers and sisters across the Channel, we are going to have to follow different systems when heading into Europe on our holibobs.
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And with the free movement of people no longer applying to us, from next year we will need special travel permits.
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) scheme will cost around £6 and will link the permit to our passports, allowing entry to dozens of EU countries.
Now, while the process can take just a few minutes to sort out, the European Union has warned travellers it could be delayed by up to 30 days, with extra information and possibly even an interview needed.
Without it, you won't be going anywhere fast, so you'll want to make sure you've got it sorted before you go booking flight and hotels.
"We strongly advise you to obtain the ETIAS travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels," the EU explains.
"Most applications will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours.
"However, some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to an additional 30 days.
"You can apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation yourself by filling in and submitting an application, or you can authorise somebody else to do this for you, e.g. a friend, a family member or a commercial intermediary such as a travel agency.
"You will need to have a valid travel document and pay a €7 application fee.
"We advise you not to travel with a document that will expire soon.
"While it is possible to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation using a travel document that is valid for less than three months from the date you submit the application, you should be aware that you will be refused entry at the border, unless you have very good reasons to be accepted (for example humanitarian grounds)."
Applications for the scheme are not yet open.
The countries set to take part are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Dominic Smithers