Latest news with #ETIAS
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Brits set to be hit with €20 charge as soon as they enter Greece on holiday
Greece has introduced a new cruise tax which will see people charged depending on the season and port on the European Union holiday hotspot, MSC Cruises has warned British holidaymakers now face a €20 (£17.35) levy the moment they set foot in Greece following the introduction of fresh regulations in the popular European Union destination. A new cruise tax has been rolled out, meaning passengers will be hit with varying disembarkation charges depending on which Greek island port they visit and the time of year. From July 21, 2025, island-hopping by cruise ship became considerably pricier for all travellers. Between June 1 and September 30, visitors will be stung with a €20 fee when stepping off at Mykonos and Santorini ports. All other Greek ports will impose a €5 (£4.34) charge during this peak period. The levy reduces during the shoulder months of October and from April 1 to May 31, dropping to €12 (£10.41) for Mykonos and Santorini whilst other ports charge €3 (£2.60). Throughout the winter period from November 1 to March 31, the fee falls to just €4 (£3.47) for the two popular islands and €1 (87p) for remaining ports. The charge applies to each passenger at every port where they step ashore. MSC Cruises has already notified customers via email that the additional cost will be passed directly onto guests. The cruise operator explained in correspondence: "This tax, similar to those already in force for hotels and other types of accommodation facilities, is designed to support local infrastructure, promote sustainable tourism, and improve the visitor experience." "For your convenience, MSC Cruises will prepay this tax for you directly to the Greek authorities. We will simply add the tax to your onboard account the night before each call in a Greek port." They explained: "MSC does not determine or control this expense, which is established and imposed by the Greek authorities and applied to all cruise companies operating in Greece." The message also noted that passengers who remain aboard will have the fee automatically waived. The new travel permit is to strengthen security and the borders of the Schengen zone, reports Birmingham Live. The €20 doesn't apply only to Greece, but also other popular holiday destinations, such as Spain and France, will be affected. This also follows news from EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs revealing that European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) were going to be introduced in the final quarter of 2026. As previously reported by the Mirror, ETIAS will not be mandatory until 2027. Brits might want to do some research before they head off to a sunny-drenched destination, as they might be stung with a fee. The bigger the family, the more expensive it will become!
Local France
7 hours ago
- Local France
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report , the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." Advertisement There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week , the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here . READ ALSO How EES border checks will impact flight passengers✎ How EES will change your Eurostar journey✎ What does EES mean for cross-Channel ferry trips?✎ And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Advertisement The ETIAS costs €20 and is then valid for three years. Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee. Find full details here .
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Brits travelling to Spain, France and Greece warned of new 20 euro entry fee
The new fee will have to be paid for every eligible traveller in your group. British travellers and other non-EU travellers are being reminded of a new rule which will see them have to pay to enter 30 European countries as part of a new travel scheme. Following Brexit, UK passport holders will legally have to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to gain access to certain European nations. The travel permit is being introduced to strengthen security and the borders of the Schengen zone. An ETIAS was reportedly originally planned to cost 7 euros per person, however, EU bosses, it's now been announced it will cost almost three times that at 20 euros per eligible traveller. Tourists over 70 and those aged under 18 are exempt, so for a family of four travelling with two children, the cost would be 40 euros. When travellers have purchases a ETIAS, they will be able to gain access to European countries as frequently as they would like for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The scheme has been delayed several times already. Speaking earlier this year, EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that the ETIAS will be introduced in the final quarter of 2026, reports the Liverpool Echo. There will then be a grace period, so applying for an ETIAS will not become mandatory until 2027. The ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport and will be necessary for travel to the following countries: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia 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 It will also be needed for Cyprus travel when Cyprus joins the Schengen area. Most applications are expected to be approved "almost immediately", but if the system identifies an error in your ETIAS request, it could be rejected. Reasons for ETIAS applications being declined could are said to include an invalid passport, being considered a "risk" or having a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, submitting an incomplete application, or failing to attend a required interview. A travel expert recently warned those travelling from the UK to EU countries - including France, Spain, Greece and Portugal that they may face longer queues and potential travel delays this year due to new regulations. The travel insider, Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of SkyRefund, believes that while the system could eventually streamline travel, significant delays are likely as the new system 'beds in' this year. The European Union has officially announced the launch of its Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border control platform set to replace manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area - countries such as Spain and Greece. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Local Germany
11 hours ago
- Local Germany
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report , the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." Advertisement There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week , the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here . And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Advertisement The ETIAS costs €20 and is then valid for three years. Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee. Find full details here .
Local Spain
11 hours ago
- Local Spain
EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
It's been delayed several times before, but we now have the new start date for the EES border control system. According to the latest European Commission report, the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025. However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026. The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away." There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays. This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026. As The Local reported last week, the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20. Remind me, what's EES again? The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from. These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany. Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country. Find full details here. And what's ETIAS? ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation. Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA. Find full details here.
