Home » Belgium Travel News » Italy Joins Germany, France, Spain, Greece, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, And More In Warning UK Tourists About The New Seventeen Pounds Fee For EU Travel
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
UK travelers heading to Europe will soon face a £17 fee as part of new EU travel regulations, including updates to the ETIAS visa-waiver program and the Entry/Exit System (EES). These changes are set to enhance border security and streamline entry processes for non-EU nationals, including Brits, as the EU works to modernize its border management system. The new rules aim to improve security, prevent overstaying, and ensure smoother travel across the Schengen Area.
A significant shift is set to occur in the travel system, as the European Union (EU) introduces new changes that will directly affect UK travelers visiting specific European countries. Starting soon, UK tourists may face an additional £17 fee due to the introduction of updated travel regulations, marking a key update to the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) and the Entry/Exit System (EES).
The new fee is part of a broader set of changes introduced by the EU aimed at enhancing border security and streamlining entry procedures for non-EU nationals, including UK travelers. These changes come at a time when the EU has been working to modernize its border management systems to handle increasing global mobility and ensure the safety of travelers. The updates have been announced well in advance, allowing UK travelers to prepare for the changes that are scheduled to take effect on October 12, 2025, just before the peak of the school half-term holiday period.
A key update is the introduction of the EES, a system designed to collect biometric information, such as photos and fingerprints, from all travelers entering the Schengen Area. This biometric data will be used to strengthen security at EU borders, ensuring a more efficient and accurate verification process for each traveler. This initiative is designed to combat issues such as overstaying in the region and to provide a more streamlined entry process for legitimate visitors.
The EU has acknowledged that the full implementation of the EES will not happen overnight. The system will be rolled out in phases, with the full operational implementation expected to be completed by April 9, 2026. By that time, travelers entering Europe will be required to have their biometric data collected at border checkpoints across the Schengen Area. While the EES will gradually take effect, another significant update set to begin later this year is the ETIAS waiver program, which will be launched sometime between October and December 2025.
The ETIAS program, which was previously set at a €7 (around £6) fee, will now see a dramatic increase to approximately £17. This increase is set to apply to “visa-exempt nationals traveling to 30 European countries,” including British citizens, who will be required to apply for the document before entering the Schengen Area. The ETIAS is designed to improve the security and efficiency of border entry procedures for nationals of countries that do not require a visa to enter the EU.
Once granted, the ETIAS will remain valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs sooner. It permits short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, enabling UK citizens to travel throughout the Schengen Area. However, exceptions apply for individuals under 18 or over 70. Moreover, some individuals, such as EU citizens’ family members and non-EU nationals with the right to free movement, will not need to apply for an ETIAS.
Currently, the ETIAS program has not been activated, and applications are not yet open. However, once the system is activated, UK travelers can apply for the ETIAS through the official website at www.europa.eu/etias. Each traveler requiring an ETIAS must submit a separate application. Parents or guardians applying for minors should be aware that children will need to have their own individual application as well.
The following is a complete list of countries within the Schengen Area where UK travelers will need to obtain an ETIAS before visiting:
- 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
With these changes on the horizon, UK travelers are advised to stay informed and make necessary preparations ahead of the October deadline. The increased fees and new requirements may cause some inconvenience, but the EU’s new systems aim to enhance security and improve the travel experience for everyone. As the travel landscape evolves, it is essential for travelers to adjust to these updated policies to avoid any disruptions during their journeys to Europe.
Tags: Austria, Belgium, border security, ETIAS program, European travel regulations, france, germany, greece, Italy, Netherlands, romania, Schengen Area travel, spain, UK Travelers, visa waiver system
