Brits WILL have to pay £6 to visit Europe after Brexit — whether we get a deal or not
The EU has confirmed UK citizens will be subject to a new visa waiver scheme
BRITS will have to pay £6 to visit Europe after Brexit, say EU chiefs.
The plan, drawn up by Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission pals, applies to anyone aged 18 to 70, with a pass lasting three years.
The charge for a visa waiver will apply whether or not the UK manages to strike a withdrawal deal with Brussels.
Downing Street warned of a tit-for-tat response last night and the move will infuriate tourists who spend £33billion a year on the continent helping to prop up some of its most ailing economies.
Last night a spokesman for top Eurocrat Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed the scheme will apply to Brits.
Natasha Bertaud tweeted: "Yes #ETIAS will apply to the #UK as 3rd country post-Brexit - 7 euros for a 3 year pre-travel authorisation. Simple form, like #ESTA to the US, but way cheaper."
News that the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) pass, could be introduced from 2021 came as:
- THERESA May let rip at Juncker after he infuriated Britain by grabbing her and labelling her “nebulous”;
- BRUSSELS hung her out to dry by breaking promises to help her get the hated backstop past Parliament, and said MPs faced a “bleak midwinter”;
- CABINET Ministers urged the Premier to ramp up No Deal preparations and stare down others calling for a softer Brexit;
- EX-PM Tony Blair sparked fresh anger by calling on Mrs May to stop “banging her head against the brick wall” and back a second referendum.
Travellers pay £6 and consent to have their details checked to make sure they don't pose a security risk.
The EU says: "Since citizens of countries for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.
"The ETIAS, besides being used for business and tourist purposes, will also allow people to visit the Schengen countries for medical and transit reasons.
Top Tories had previously insisted that the UK would be exempted from any new travel scheme.
But the Commission is determined to introduce a US-style system for non-bloc visitors. Brits currently pay £11 for an “ESTA” to enter the US.
The charge would apply from the end of transition because we’ll be outside the EU and the passport-free Schengen Zone. Campaigners said the scheme would cost UK tourists up to £344million in its first year given the number who head for the sun.
Trips are worth £11.8billion a year to Spain alone. And one in six businesses in Malta relies directly on UK tourists for their survival.
Tory Rob Halfon said: “If the EU is going to behave like this we should be telling them they aren’t getting a penny of the £39billion divorce bill.”
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Downing Street warned the EU it could slap Europeans with similar charges. But it admitted there were no current plans to do so.
Remainers seized on the revelations. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon branded the move a “sad, retrograde step”. And Labour’s Stephen Doughty said: “Now we are going to have to pay to travel to EU countries? Time for a People’s Vote.”
A Government spokesman said: “We are considering options for the future border and immigration system in the UK, including proposals for an Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.
“The framework for the future relationship would see visa-free travel to the EU for both holidays and short-term business visits.
“Both sides have leant on the need for such arrangements to be reciprocal.”
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