If you hold a British passport, you might be wondering what to do to visit Europe now that Brexit has occurred. There are a lot of changes that have taken place since Britain left the EU, and lots of travellers are still adjusting to the new realities of this major shift.
As a result, do British people need a visa for Europe now? The answer is not always, although it ultimately depends.
Find out below what the new rules are for people travelling to the EU with a British passport and what you’ll need to have prepared before you go.
What do British passport holders need to enter Europe?
At the moment, British passport holders may enter Europe for short visits and tourist trips, much as they did previously. Entering the EU with a British passport allows you to spend up to 90 days for either leisure, short visits to family and friends as well as for business trips.
However, there are a few things you need to check in your passport before travelling. First, your document must have over 6 months validity remaining when you arrive. Secondly, the passport book must not have been issued over 10 years ago from when you enter the EU.
Therefore, if you are one of the many Israeli citizens with a British passport, it’s important to double-check your passport issuing and expiry dates to make sure your travel document is accepted on arrival.
However, there’s another change coming soon. The EU is about to launch its brand new ETIAS system, which will soon mean British travellers and other visitors from visa-exempt third countries will need a visa waiver before entering Europe.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS (or European Travel Information Authorization System) is a brand new travel security system being introduced for the 26 countries in the European Schengen Area. It is being launched to make travel to and from Europe safer and to secure the shared border for Schengen countries.
This is set to launch in 2022 before becoming mandatory in 2023.
The new system will pre-screen passengers before they arrive in the EU, which is going to require visitors to register online for an electronic visa waiver before travelling. This is going to work similarly to the US ESTA or Canada eTA that have been used over the last few years.
How to register for ETIAS
The process of registering with ETIAS will only take about 10-15 minutes to complete and can be done fully online. The application form will ask you to provide:
- Your name and personal data
- Your contact details
- Your nationality
- Your passport number and its issue and expiry dates
- Where you will first arrive in Europe
- Answers to a number of health and security questions
Most visa waivers will be approved within a few hours, but it is recommended to fill in and submit the application at least 72 hours before travelling. It is also essential to provide your information correctly, or it could delay or lead to a rejection of your application.
How long does ETIAS last
ETIAS visa waivers are good for multiple trips and last for 3 years from the date of issue, or until your current passport expires.
You can only use the ETIAS waiver tied to the passport book used during registration, so you must make sure you only enter the EU with the document electronically linked with your visa waiver. When you arrive in Europe, you will then be able to spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in any of the 26 Schengen countries.
When do I need a visa to enter Europe?
In most cases, you won’t need a visa to enter Europe if you are a British citizen. However, if you hold a British passport and travel to Europe using it, you will need a visa to enter the EU for work, residency or long term study.
To get a Schengen visa, you’ll first need to make an application at the local national embassy of the country you plan to live in. It's recommended to allow up to 3 weeks for the visa to be processed.
Whilst Brexit has led to a few changes for British passport holders in Europe, it still remains straightforward to visit family or spend a short time abroad there on business or for tourism. However, it’s important to be ready for ETIAS when it launches and to double-check your passport dates just in case.