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The Independent
22-07-2025
- The Independent
What is Etias and why will I need to apply for one when travelling to the EU?
When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027. EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed ' entry-exit system ' would take effect on 10 November 2024. From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.) But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working. It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December. But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest. What is Etias? British travellers and those from all other 'third-country visa-free nationals' (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out. Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first. 'UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),' says the EU. 'Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.' The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. When will I need one? Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out: 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements – face and fingerprints – will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped. December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES. January 2026: By now, 'member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points'. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience 'double red tape': providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well. 9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped. October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play. The EU says: 'Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.' But 'required' is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by 'a transitional period of at least six months'. The EU says: 'For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.' Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity: Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union. Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU. The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other 'third-country national' will need an Etias is April 2027. Once the 'transitional period' is over, a further 'grace period' of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias. The European Union says: 'There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions. 'All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.' The grace period will last at least six months. How will I apply for an Etias? At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters). Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment. The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years. Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first night's stay – which will pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along. It is likely that for subsequent journeys the traveller will not be expected to update the information. My understanding is that information on where you are going and staying, and the reason for your trip. is needed only at the application stage. The form should be completed with reference to your first journey. As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and returned home you should be able to enter again without updating such information online. The fee is €20 (£17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay. What happens to the information? Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as 'a dedicated Etias watch-list'. The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage. In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal? Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection. How far in advance must I apply? The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days. If an application is flagged (ie there is a 'hit' with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked 'to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days'. The European Union says: 'We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.' If I get an Etias, must I print anything out? No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias. Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU? Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries. Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules. To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines' representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the 'optional' nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory. Is Etias a visa? This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is 'a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers'. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas. But Etias requires visitors to: Apply in advance Provide substantial personal information Pay money Be issued with a permit to cross a border. So I contend it amounts to a normal person's understanding of a visa. Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area? No. 'Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry,' says the EU. 'All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions.' As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded. Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe? No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.) Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland? No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area – incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – transcends European Union rules. If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias? No. How are people without internet access supposed to apply? They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes. Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule? This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days. As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June. Is the UK being punished because of Brexit? No. Work on strengthening the European Union's external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system. Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals – triggering extra red tape. Will Etias be the next online scam? Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed. But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic €20 (£17). Any site other than is unofficial and should not be trusted. One 'imposter' site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere. Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal. Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.
Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Telegraph
Eight problems America must fix to win back British tourists
It's official: British travellers have fallen out of love with America. How else can you explain the US's profound decline in our Telegraph Travel Awards, which has seen the Land of the Free go from being voted readers' tenth favourite destination just over a decade ago to a lowly 50th place in this year's rankings? To be clear, it isn't that British holidaymakers aren't heading Stateside: polling indicates that the US remains the most popular long-haul destination. But when it comes to satisfaction, our readers are now ranking the destination below the likes of Vietnam, Oman, Argentina and Colombia, as well as big-hitters such as Japan and Greece. As someone who has ventured to 20 states over ten years, I would be the first to sing the country's praises as a truly life-changing destination. But being a regular has given me some insight into those little niggles that can take some of the shine off an otherwise stellar vacation. ESTA grumbles Entering the US on a British passport is meant to be easy thanks to the ESTA visa waiver, which allows you to do the necessary admin well in advance. In practice, though, regular visitors have been dealing with a steady build-up of friction over the past decade. One thing that stands out is the first Trump administration's decision to add Cuba to the list of countries that can render you ESTA-ineligible. This hangover from the Cold War now means that the 30,000 or so Britons who visit Cuba each year will need to apply for a full visa should they want to visit the States. At the same time, the heightened focus on immigration controls means that even the most benign, low-risk travellers can't be sure they won't face a barrage of questions when they reach the border. Show some common sense and call them 'sir' or 'ma'am' and you should be absolutely fine. Chaotic airports Home to four of the world's busiest airports, the US has never been a picnic when it comes to air travel. But TSA data reveals that things have been getting worse in recent years, with average waiting times at tourist hubs like JFK and Orlando International moving in the wrong direction. That's before we get to the shockingly outdated condition of some major US airports, like Miami International and Chicago O'Hare. Once you've visited the pristine, technologically-advanced alternatives in places like Abu Dhabi and Qatar, their American counterparts can look seriously shabby in comparison. Expensive transport The vastness of America – its cities included – means that it's often impossible to do anything on foot. And with public transport absent beyond most of the major cities, travellers generally depend on rental cars and taxi apps to get around. Unfortunately for them, the price of both of those options has skyrocketed in recent years, with car rentals jumping some 40 per cent since the pandemic. As for Uber, I only have to check my previous email receipts to see how expensive things have got over the past decade. The same journey can easily cost more than double. Crowded attractions With its vast landscapes and massive highways, you don't imagine the US could get crowded. But a wave of pent-up demand from the pandemic coupled with a surge of rich retirees looking to complete their travel bucket lists has triggered a massive domestic tourism boom, pushing some destinations to their limits. Traffic queues at popular national parks like Yosemite have been reported to be exceeding two hours, with some 332 million people descending on a US national park last year. Meanwhile social media continues to drive legions of impressionable millennials to viral destinations. In sleepy New England, picturesque towns have resorted to road closures and extra sheriff patrols to deal with the hordes of phone-wielding out-of-towners seeking the perfect autumnal shot. Unsafe cities While the extent of America's urban crime wave is hotly contested, there's no denying that the mega-cities of New York and San Francisco at least feel less safe than they used to. Dishevelled drug users on street corners may be a sad sign of underlying social problems, but they certainly make you think twice about parking your rental car. Then there are the scammers. On my last visit to NYC, I noticed that JFK has tannoy announcements warning about unlicensed taxi drivers demanding extortionate fares with the threat of menace. Be careful: the one I spotted outside the terminal touting his wares looked like an extra from The Sopranos. Pricey restaurants Higher food costs and a hot economy has seen restaurant prices rocket across the States. The US government's Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that menu prices are 27 per cent higher than before the pandemic, while that most American of culinary institutions, McDonald's, estimates that its franchises are charging 40 per cent more than five years ago. Add to that the perennial bugbear of British visitors: tipping. These days, those ubiquitous 'Square' payment terminals will even suggest amounts (usually starting at 20 per cent and rising up towards 50 per cent) when you pay, giving each one a Tripadvisor-style verdict – 'Great service!' – to help you decide. Costly hotels (with hidden fees) It isn't just restaurants that have caught the inflation bug: hotel costs have boomed too. By some estimates, hotel prices in Las Vegas have jumped 47 per cent in five years, while decent rooms in the touristy parts of New York City now top $400 a night during peak periods. If the prices weren't bad enough, the ongoing trend for hidden fees (usually known as 'resort fees') shows no sign of abating. Hotels in the Big Apple now routinely charge a 'destination fee,' which can easily add an extra $30 – per night – to your bill. In the spiritual home of the resort fee, Las Vegas, the average levy has hit $40 per night, up from $36 just one year ago. Stronger dollar We know that Britons are more likely to flock to the US when the exchange rate is in their favour. Shopping addicts may remember the craze for Florida trips just before the financial crash, when one pound bought just over two dollars. These days, things have moved strongly in the other direction, with sterling finding a new home at around $1.30 for much of the past few years. While your British accent and manners might go far in America, your wallet probably won't.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryanair to change free cabin bag size after major EU ruling
Ryanair is set to make significant changes to its free cabin bag allowance, marking a win for British travellers. The budget airline, notorious for its cheeky online persona and hefty fines for passengers who breach its stringent luggage rules, currently allows a free 'personal bag' that does not exceed 40 X 25 X 20cm - a mere 20 litres in volume. It's become standard procedure for staff armed with card machines to verify during boarding that customers' bags meet these diminutive dimensions. Those caught trying to sneak a larger bag on board can face a £75 penalty. Read more: Popular city centre restaurant closes suddenly However, thanks to a new European Union standard, this is all about to change. On June 24, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to introduce uniform dimensions for hand luggage. They agreed that all passengers should be allowed to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop, with maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm without incurring an additional fee. In response, Ryanair has gone above and beyond the ruling, confirming it will permit passengers to bring a personal bag up to 40 X 30 X 20cm in the coming weeks. Despite this increase, Ryanair's allowance still falls short of competitor easyJet, which allows passengers to bring a free under-seat bag measuring 45 x 36 x 20cm (including wheels and handles), reports the Mirror. British Airways (BA) may indeed have a snugger under-seat bag allowance, adhered to the EU's minimum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, but there's a silver lining. BA flyers also get the perk of carrying on a heftier cabin bag at no extra cost, provided it's under 23 kg and fits in the overhead locker. In response to a recent landmark vote, Matteo Ricci, vice-chair of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), expressed his enthusiasm in a press release, stating: "Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel," adding that "[It introduces] concrete measures such as the clear definition of free hand luggage ... a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs." For those yearning for the latest globetrotting insights and purse-friendly holiday steals, make sure to subscribe to our Travel Newsletter. Past month's developments saw the European parliament's transport committee propose an endearing passenger right – to tote along an extra piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg without costing a penny. As reported by the BBC, this suggested change won't be set in stone until it sails through the full European parliament and is enshrined into law. Even with progress on the horizon, UK travellers are still encouraged to check up directly with airlines on luggage policies this summer - best stay on the safe side. After all, turning up with a bag that flouts your carrier's rules could hit your wallet hard with a hefty fee, or you might find your belongings relegated to the plane's cargo hold.
The Independent
27-06-2025
- The Independent
Beat the summer rush: Simon Calder reveals everything you need to know about renewing your passport
On the eve of the peak summer season, one sad certainty is that some British travellers will be turned away from their holiday flights due to post-Brexit rules on passport validity. Sometimes airport staff will make a mistake but in the vast majority of cases the passenger will be at fault. Thankfully renewals are taking around two weeks. So people who spot a problem now and who are holidaying from the second half of July onwards should be able to rescue the situation without resorting to the expensive and inconvenient fast-track route. These are the key points for passport contentedness this summer. European Union – almost all of it Most British summer holidaymakers are going to destinations in the EU or wider Schengen area (including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). After Brexit, the UK opted to become a 'third country', placing UK passport holders on a par with those from Venezuela. That means for all EU/Schengen countries bar Denmark and Ireland, a UK passport must: Be under 10 years old on the date of entry. Have at least three months remaining on the intended day of departure. For example, a British passport issued on 1 August 2015 and valid until 1 May 2026 can be used to enter the EU up to and including 31 July 2025, for a stay of up to 90 days (but less if the holder has already spent some time in the Schengen area in the past 180 days). What's different about Denmark and Ireland? Denmark, for reasons known only to itself, imposes a stricter rule that breaches Schengen area regulations. Officials say the passport must be under 9 years 9 months on the day of arrival. The Independent has made repeated representations to Copenhagen and Brussels for Denmark to align with the Schengen rules, but to no avail. British travellers to Ireland do not need passports to enter – though Ryanair demands passengers carry valid passports, with no date stipulation. How long will it take me to get a replacement passport? Andy Anderson, who runs the Passport Waiting Time website, says: 'We've seen passport processing times for both first-time applications and renewals increase slightly over the past couple of months. However, turnaround times remain relatively quick. 'First adult passports are currently averaging 19 calendar days, while renewals are taking around 14 days.' He has developed a passport validity checker that aims to help travellers prepare for their journeys. Will I need an Etias permit? No. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias, also known as an 'e-visa') cannot take effect before October 2026 at the earliest. Etias will be introduced at least six months after the EU's much delayed entry-exit system (EES) is running smoothly. The latest plan from Brussels is that the EES will start in a limited way in October 2025, with a six-month roll out. Can I use the e-gates across Europe? Who knows? Ministers have talked plenty of tosh about Brussels agreeing to let British passengers use e-gates on arrival and departure from the Schengen area. Each nation makes its own decisions, and so the bureaucratic landscape is a patchwork. Gradually more countries are adding the UK to nationalities that can use their e-gates, but there is no uniformity. Thanks to Brexit, you will also need to be manually stamped in and out in addition to the e-gates. Incidentally, hundreds of airports across Europe have now installed entry-exit system kiosks, which some arriving passengers have confused with e-gates. They are entirely separate; the kiosks are simply to take fingerprints and facial biometrics before proceeding to the border. For many countries, your passport is valid up to and including its expiry date. These include Australia, Barbados, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Tunisia and the US. For the avoidance of doubt, the only part of the world that cares when your passport is issued is the EU. Elsewhere, only the expiry date is relevant. Ignore anyone who tells you 'British passports run out after 10 years'. Which popular destinations have trickier red tape? Turkey: "To enter Turkey, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page,' says the Foreign Office. Oddly, if you apply for a visa for Turkey, the minimum validity drops to 90 days. Morocco: 'Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least three months after the date you arrive,' says the Foreign Office. UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi): 'Your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least six months after the date you arrive … If you're travelling through the UAE and not passing through immigration, your passport must have an expiry date at least three months after the date you will transit.'
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Flights are 'almost always cheaper' if you depart on two specific days of the week reveals travel expert
A travel expert has revealed the best days of the week to fly to secure a cheap flight. Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, says that travelling on two specific days will help tourists save money on their flight. Speaking to the Express, the expert reveals that flying mid-week could help travellers snap up a bargain flight. Dawn says: 'Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than weekend flights.' Many British travellers try to maximise their time away by flying at the weekend so prices are generally highest on Saturday. If you're able to be flexible with your departure date, it's worth checking the price of your flight across different days. Dawn also claims that booking a flight at the earliest date possible isn't always the best way to save money. She says: 'I've seen people book flights 10 months early thinking they've got a bargain, only to watch the same route drop by £200 per person just weeks before departure. 'Airlines use dynamic pricing, which means they're constantly adjusting based on demand predictions.' However, the expert adds that booking a flight last-minute is also a risky way to travel. She explains that tourists could face 'inflated prices' and 'limited availability' as well as being forced to 'compromise' on 'accommodation quality' if they book late. According to Dawn, the ideal time to book a short-haul flight to Europe is six to eight weeks before departure. When it comes to a long-haul flight, it's best to book eight to 12 weeks ahead of travel.
