A few points:
- Britons who are not resident in the EU by 31 December 2020 will be subject to checks by border authorities. These will verify the passport, which has to be less than 10 years old and have at least another 6 months of validity, the purpose and the length of stay (e.g. through the ticket and accommodation booking), and the proof of sufficient funds. The passport will be stamped.
- Britons will be able to stay visa-free in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in 180 days (a calculator is available on the European Commission website). The 90-day period applies to the entire Schengen zone, not a single country.
- The European Commission has requested member states to notify whether they will require a visa for Brits carrying out a paid activity during short-term stays. For stays of more than 90 days, a national visa is required.
- An Airport Transit Visa (ATV) will also be necessary when passing through airports in the Schengen area (e.g. for a flight London-Frankfurt-Lagos). This change concerns non-EU citizens, including family members of EU nationals who have settled status in the UK, as a UK visa or residence permit will no longer exempt them.
- Britons will have to use “all passports” or “visa not required” lanes at terminals. They won’t be able to use e-gates, as these are reserved to passengers from the countries of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
From 2022, however, the introduction of the Entry Exit System (EES) will make the use of e-gates possible without the need to stamp passports.
Meanwhile, each member state can authorise the use of e-gates upon exit, if the passenger has entered the Schengen area in the same country and the passport is stamped.
In the second half of 2022, the EU will also introduce the European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS). This will require visa-exempt non-EU citizens to apply for a travel authorisation online before their trip and pay a fee of 7 euros.
Meanwhile, each member state can authorise the use of e-gates upon exit, if the passenger has entered the Schengen area in the same country and the passport is stamped.
In the second half of 2022, the EU will also introduce the European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS). This will require visa-exempt non-EU citizens to apply for a travel authorisation online before their trip and pay a fee of 7 euros.
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