New travel fees

Gramps49

Apparently, there will be a new travel fee for anyone outside of the EU to enter its member countries. Seven Euros but it it will be valid for three years.

There will also be a new ETA fee for anyone traveling through the British Isles even if one is just making connections to travel to other destinations. That will be 10 pounds. It will be valid for up to two years or until one's passport expires, whichever comes first.

Of course, not to be outdone, the US has a travel fee for those whose counties are part of the visa waiver program. Ours is a hefty $21 dollars. Not sure how long it is valid.

Good news, there are still no fees between US and Canada, but that could change with you know who taking office.

Here a fee, there a fee, everywhere a fee.

Merry Vole

I'm thinking of taking my car on the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen for a holiday in France next year. Has anyone done anything similar recently and what was it like at the ports immigration control?

Bishops Finger

My sister lives in France, and visits us in the UK 2-3 times a year. She hires a car whilst here (or borrows mine), so hasn't had any experience of the post-Brexit goings-on at the Channel ports.

The new arrangements - another gift from that bloody Brexit lunacy - are unlikely to make travel any easier, but I suppose that's the aim of them. This is what my sister posted on our family WhatsApp group:

FYI - from early next year (March?), a lot of EU countries will require an ETIAS authorisation for travellers coming from many "visa-not-required" countries, including UK. It'll cost, of course, and can be refused, of course. But, of course, we're all lovely people, so not refusable... It's online, supposed to be quick and painless.

UK is putting in same thing (ETAS? electronic travel authorisation) as of Jan. Edi* will need one if he goes to UK.

*My brother-in-law, who is Slovenian.

Merry Vole

Thanks BF 👍