Reports suggest that UK citizens could need visas to enter other EU countries once Britain leaves the EU.
According to The Guardian newspaper, the European Commission (EC) is due to unveil draft legislation for the EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias) later this year.
It is believed that part of this legislation will concentrate on introducing a new visa programme similar to the US waiver, which would require any non-EU nationals to possess a visa to travel in the EU.
According to reports, British citizens would need to spend £10 for a visa waiver that will allow them to travel throughout the European Union on holiday. Sources indicate that France and Germany have shown interest in supporting such a system. Added to that, there have also been reports that the UK may plan a similar agenda towards citizens of the European Union that wish to visit the country.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr show at the weekend, Home Secretary Amber Rudd refused to rule out the possibility of British travellers needing a visa to enter the EU.
“I don’t think it’s particularly desirable but we don’t rule it out because we have to be allowed a free hand to give the best negotiation,” she said.
The Minister also stressed that the UK will be able to control its borders post-Brexit but stressed any measures introduced would have to be “reciprocal”.
“Once we leave the European Union we will have complete control over who comes into the UK from the EU and who doesn’t, with one or two provisos of course,” she explained. “First of all, it’s going to be reciprocal, we are going to have to work out what’s in the UK’s interests as well going to the European Union and what works for our economy and making sure that we get the right balance.”
Article published 13th September 2016