Since the UK left the EU in January 2021, the rules on travel for UK travellers have changed. There have been consistent speculations about whether UK travellers need to have a visa to enter EU countries now? Here’s what you need to know about the current rules, and what is expected in the future.
Do I need a visa to enter the EU?
At this moment in time, the answer is no. If you’re travelling from the UK, you do not need a visa to enter any country within the EU.
UK travellers are able to spend a maximum of 90 days in every 180 within the European Union without a visa. If you are planning to stay for longer, you will be required to apply for a separate visa for the country you plan to be in.
However, the UK travel rules are set to change by the end of this year, as UK travellers will be required to have a visa waiver to enter the EU by 2023.
Will I need a visa to enter the EU in future?
British citizens will eventually no longer have the ability to travel freely throughout the EU due to Brexit vote in 2016, and therefore have to follow the same procedure that applies to citizens from other countries, including the USA and Australia.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to come into place at the end of 2022, which means that UK travellers must have an authorised ETIAS visa waiver in order to stay in other countries within the European Union. This will apply to anyone entering or travelling through an EU country on a British passport between the ages of 18 and 70 and will cost €7 (£6, $7.50). It will be required for trips of up to 90 days for both tourists and business travellers and will need to be obtained at least 96 hours before departure.
The good news is, once you have the ETIAS visa waiver it will last for three years, so you won’t need to keep renewing every time you travel; just when it runs out, or if you get a new passport.
And while this might all sound quite complicated (possibly expensive), the good news is the fee doesn’t have to be paid every single time you enter an EU country. The waiver lasts for three years, so you only have to get a new visa once it runs out or if you get a new passport.
Do I need a visa to move to an EU country?
If you’re a British citizen, then yes. The type of visa you need and the application process for long stays will depend on the country’s own regulations – If you are intending to move to a country within the European Union it’s probably best to search online for your visa options.