The changes will affect non-EU citizens that do not need a visa to travel to the bloc.

British citizens who wish to travel to countries with the EU’s Schengen Area will be required to pay €7 from next year under the bloc’s new travel system.

The changes form part of the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) which is due to come into effect by the end of 2022.

All non-EU citizens, including Britons, will be required to fill in an online form to be allowed to travel to the Schengen Area. The authorisation will last for three years, allowing unlimited trips across any country within the area.

There are a few exceptions. Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus are members of the EU but do not form part of the Schengen Area and therefore will not require pre-authorisation.

It is expected that 95% of applicants will receive instant approval, working similarly to the US visa-waiver system ESTA.

Agreed years before Brexit in response to increased terrorist attacks, the bloc’s increased security measures allowing it to cross-check travellers and identify those who may pose a risk to “security or health, as well as compliance with migration rules.”

Applicants will need to enter a range of information on the online form, which should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, including their name, address, passport and answer background questions regarding health and any past criminal convictions.

A bilateral agreement could be reached

The European Commission has offered to grant free travel for UK travellers within the EU for short stays if the UK agrees to do the same for EU nationals.

If a deal can be agreed upon, then it will still be necessary to complete the ETIAS application, although it would be free.

Regardless of any agreement, the EU has confirmed that applicants under 18 or over 70 will not have to pay for an ETIAS visa waiver.

Learn more about the ETIAS application process.