Visa waivers needed before travelling to Europe next year
Guernsey passport holders will be subject to new regulations when travelling to 30 European countries from next year and will have to apply for a visa waiver before they travel.
Up to now people have been able to travel to the countries for 90 days every 180 without a visa.
But when the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) comes into effect, they will need to purchase a visa waiver for about 7 euros in order to be able to travel and stay for the same duration.
This will apply to all British passport holders, which includes Guernsey ones. The charge will apply to people aged from 18 to 70. Under-18s and over-70s will not have to pay.
‘The details of the EU scheme are a matter for the EU, but it is understood that it would apply to all British passport holders, which includes those issued locally,’ said a States spokesman.
Because it is only for people travelling into the EU, the new regulations will not apply to French day visitors to Guernsey.
Before that, in November this year, the new Entry/Exist System (EES) will come into effect, meaning people travelling to EU countries will need to register their biometric data – fingerprints and face photos.
This will replace passport stamps and the information will be recorded at self-service kiosks at border points.
All of the new requirements are described as being necessary ‘to prevent irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens’.
More information is available at travel-europe.europa.eu for the visa waiver requirements and here for details about EES.
