The Independent article by Simon Calder
Key points:
- The current British passport is an EU travel document, which makes travel to continental Europe almost painless.
- Prior to the EU referendum vote, the European Commission (EC) had begun looking at something called the "EU Travel and Authorisation System" (ETIAS) for nationals of countries outside the Schengen Zone. The UK and Ireland are outside the Schengen Zone. ETIAS is aimed at citizens of non-EU countries who currently don't need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. ETIAS would require these nationals of non-EU countries to "register relevant information regarding their intended journey via the internet."
- ETIAS would be in addition to - and not replace - border checks.
- If ETIAS were to be put into place when the UK is no longer a member of the EU, UK nationals would have to declare in advance via the Internet their intention to visit Europe (and presumably await approval).
- And since ETIAS is designed to benefit the Schengen Zone (vice the EU per se), and since the UK is already outside the Schengen Zone, it's possible that UK nationals could be affected immediately upon passage of ETIAS without regard to when or if Brexit occurs.
- Depending on the status of the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland post-Brexit, it's possible ETIAS could apply to visits to Ireland from Northern Ireland.
- Should the UK choose to enact its own system of border controls the mirror image of ETIAS - making it more difficult for nationals of EU countries to visit the UK - that would seriously disadvantage the UK as a tourist destination.
- The USA, Canada and Turkey are now using systems that resemble ETIAS - but it's too early to draw conclusions about possible effects on tourism.
- When/if ETIAS comes into effect, it's a sure thing that evildoers will be on hand to scam gullible travelers.
This is a very difficult potential situation for UK tourism, and most especially for everyone on both sides of the border in the island of Ireland. Watch for updates here.
