At a time when the airports are at a chaotic level and airlines cancelling flights like there is no tomorrow, more bad news has just been announced. British travellers looking to get away for some fun in the sun are going to be charged to travel to 26 European countries.
Due to leaving the EU which many who voted to leave have said they regret their decision; it seems the UK are yet again being punished after it was revealed a change in the Schengen Area entry rules has been announced. It means that non-EU tourists to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa.
The EU’s ETIAS website says: ‘ETIAS will be a largely automated IT system created to identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States, whilst at the same time facilitate crossing borders for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks.
‘Non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area will have to apply for a travel authorisation through the ETIAS system prior to their trip.’
The new changes are set to come into force in 2023 where each traveller aged between 18 and 70 will have to pay £6 for the visa.
This is set to anger those wishing to go abroad and could put people off, especially with soe travel experts claiming the cancellation of flights and delays could continue until 2025. However, this could mean great news for the staycation industry who had a booming year last year.
Seaside resorts such as Skegness, Blackpool, and Scarborough, had a much-needed boost in tourism after struggling during the COVID crisis. With the news of the new visas, and with the disruption at the airports, it could result in people turning their backs on going abroad for a holiday and instead turn to seaside resorts in the UK.
Currently, the 26 countries that will require the visa are:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
More countries could be added to the list which could include Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.
