By Adam Woodward • Updated: 21 Aug 2024 • 10:06 • 1 minute read
UK passports checked on arrival in Schengen countries Credit: Wavebreak Media
The European Union is to introduce a €7 fee for UK citizens to enter EU countries as from the first half of next year.
The new scheme to be applied to people from 60 non-EU countries including the UK is looking like it will be introduced around May, 2025. The system is part the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) – which will require non-EU travellers to register fingerprints and a photo instead of having their passport stamped – will start early next year.
But is it as Orwellian as some claim? Visas for citizens not on the list of 60 non-EU will be charged €80. This new €7 waiver is aimed at more frequent visitors from countries outside of the EU. Once ID has been established and the waiver charge has been received, it will cover visitors from outside of the EU and Schengen zone, just like the US ESTA visa, and it will be valid for 3 years.
Further details are yet to be released by the EU, but part of the concept is to speed up entry and exit at passport controls once implemented. Over 700 million visitors entered the Schengen zone last year, and this new system is also expected to make it more difficult for criminals and terrorists to enter Europe including cutting down on the use of fake passports.
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Passionate about music, food and the arts. After being completely immersed in the Spanish way of life for 25 years, I now share my knowhow and experience with you.
We will to wait and see if this has a significant impact on tourist numbers next year as this over watch scheme starts to dawn on the general public?!!! The depressed monetary outlook for many coupled with the added hassle of applying in advance for this scheme may force many to look else where for their breaks next year.
Interesting point. We’ll see how it affects the tourist industry next year.
LOL let’s get this straight…someone actually believes charging a fee will for an extra visa with fingerprints etc. will help stop criminals from coming into the country or to stop the use of fake passports? Meanwhile these same people are allowing boatloads of illegal migrants to come into these countries with no documents or vetting whatsoever, then setting them up in migrant hotels or shelters with food and healthcare provided. Many of these migrants being welcomed into the countries are criminals who then proceed to rape, rob, and assault the citizens of the cities they live in! Criminals will always find a way into these countries without getting the new visa.or they’ll find a way to get a fake passport AND fake visa! This is just another way government can pick the pockets of ordinary honest people and is entirely laughable!
Mass movement, Legal or otherwise must be carefully monitored. It’s the unfortunate response needed to deal with international terrorism, drug smuggling etc. The EU borders need to be policed and the 7 buck fee to do so is reasonable. It’s just the price of living in uncertain times!
Joe
I agree. Taxpayers pay a lot into security forces such as immigration control. Asking visitors to contribute to that is not unreasonable.
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