Travel warning as Scots tourists face MAJOR change when going abroad

SCOTS are set to face a massive change when travelling abroad.

It has been announced Scottish tourists will have to pay a fee when travelling to popular holiday destinations.

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From next year, Scottish tourists will have to fork out when entering the European Union.

The move will be part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

EITAS will set out to “identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States” and “facilitate crossing borders for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks.”

Anyone who is not an EU national and doesn’t need a visa to enter the Schengen area will have to apply through EITAS before setting off on their trip.

Travellers will have to pay €7 (around £6) before going to the European Union under the new scheme.

EITAS is expected to be rolled out in November of 2023.

The system will carry out security checks and aims to issue travel authorisations within minutes for the vast majority of cases.

But travellers have been warned that they could face a wait of up to 30 days if further checks are needed.

An EITAS application will be mandatory for anyone entering a Schengen country and will be checked by border guards.

Scots may NOT be able to travel to member states if their travel authorisation is not approved.

The EITAS website reads: “The ETIAS travel authorisation will be a mandatory pre-condition for entry to the Schengen States.

“It will be checked together with the travel documents by the border guards when crossing the EU border.

“This prior verification of visa exempt non-EU citizens will facilitate border checks; avoid bureaucracy and delays for travellers when presenting themselves at the borders; ensure a coordinated and harmonised risk assessment of third-country nationals; and substantially reduce the number of refusals of entry at border crossing points.