The European Commission is reportedly drawing up plans that may mean British travellers will have to apply for a visa to enter the EU after Brexit.
According to Politico and The Times, leaked documents reveal a proposal to introduce a visa requirement for Brits travelling to European Union countries that could cost £52.
The news comes after the Home Office revealed plans to offer ‘settled status’ for £65 to EU citizens who want to remain in the UK after Brexit.
A document seen by Politico was presented to the European Commission by secretary-general Martin Selmayr last week shows whether UK citizens will be subject to visa requirements depends on the outcome of Brexit negotiations. It also outlines the need for legislative changes in eight different policy areas for the other 27 EU nations to ‘avoid disruption’ after the UK leaves the union.
The proposal also includes a suggestion to add the UK to either a ‘visa required’ or ‘visa-free’ list. If the regulation is accepted, it would have to be put into legislation across all EU member countries.
However, Politico reports that MP David Jones, a former minister from the Department for Exiting the European Union, said he “would not expect” a visa requirement to be introduced.
UK travellers already face paying a €7 (£6) ‘travel authorisation fee’ proposed under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) that could be imposed on visa-exempt third countries in 2020.