Britons 'May Need Visas To Travel Through Europe'

Source: Sky News, 10/09/2016

The executive body of the EU is considering plans to operate a visa
programme based on the US system.


British citizens may have to apply for visas to travel to Europe after
the UK leaves the EU, under plans being considered by officials.



It would mean travellers from other countries could be forced to apply
online for a visa and pay a fee before travelling to continental
Europe - similar to the American 'Esta' document.


When Britain leaves the European Union, it could mean UK tourists and
business travellers being subjected to applying for visas to visit
countries including France, Spain, Italy and Germany, it is
claimed.


More details about the EU Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme
(ETIAS) will be published later this year.


It has been put forward for security reasons following the recent
terror attacks in France and Brussels.


Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told Sky News: "This week the
Liberal Democrats laid out a plan about what the Government should
make a priority in any Brexit negotiation. One of those priorities was
travel rights.


"The British Government need to stop with the empty mantras and get
into the detail of arrangements which will affect the holiday and work
plans of millions of British people."


Currently UK passport holders can travel throughout member states with
a passport but without having to apply for short-term visas.


Labour MP Pat McFadden, of the Open Britain campaign, said: "Reality
is setting in. Introducing visas would hurt British businesses and
families going on holiday.


"The Leave camp repeatedly said visas wouldn't be introduced but it
now looks like another of their main promises is being broken.


"Britain should be open to business, travel and talent and the best
way to do that is for us to be a member of the Single Market."


Experts say there is no reasons Britons should continue to enjoy
visa-free travel after leaving, unless this is offered during Brexit
negotiations.


Camino Mortera-Martinez, a research fellow specialising in justice and
home affairs at the Centre for European Reform, told the Guardian: "In
theory UK citizens, as third-country nationals, would certainly be
subject to the obligations (of such a scheme).


"This will have to be part of the Brexit talks. It will all have to be
negotiated.


"Britain is a neighbouring country, it is a safe country; this would
be very bad for business… the two are not remotely connected but after
Brexit, Britain will be a third country like Turkey."


A spokesman for the European Commission said the Greek EU Commissioner
for Migration and Home Affairs, Dimitris Avramopoulos, "informed the
rest of the EU Justice and Home Ministers during an informal meeting
on 7 July about the Commission's intention to present a proposal this
autumn for ETIAS, similar to the well-known US system 'ESTA', to
increase the information available on those who enter and leave the
EU, including for those travelling without a visa".


He added that the Presidents of the European Commission, European
Council (representing all 27 other Member States) and European
Parliament have all made clear that negotiations with the UK will
commence only once the UK triggers Article 50.


British residents made some 30 million holiday trips to EU countries
last year, with Spain and France the most popular destinations.