EU plans online screening for visa-free travellers

Millions of tourists and business people visiting Europe will have to complete a €5 ($5.35) online security check before arrival if an EU plan to tighten controls on foreigners who do not need visas wins approval.

The system, which the bloc’s executive European Commission is expected to back today, would check people’s identity documents and residence details against a variety of EU security and crime databases.

Following Daesh attacks in France and Belgium and the chaotic mass arrival of migrants and refugees in Greece, the executive hopes screening can close loopholes at its borders for violent militants, criminals and would-be illegal immigrants.

It would affect citizens of around 60 countries who can visit Europe’s Schengen area for short trips without first applying for a visa, including Americans, Japanese and – depending on what arrangements London negotiates for leaving the EU – potentially Britons too.

The scheme, to be sent for approval to governments and the European Parliament, is intended to be self-financing through the application fee. The Commission estimates its set-up costs at around €200 million and annual running costs at €85 million.

It would also address European concerns over plans to expand visa-free travel in the coming years to two big neighbours, Turkey and Ukraine, and would apply immediately to people from non-EU states in the Balkans such as Albania and Serbia.

Known as ETIAS the scheme would give most people a five-year clearance for multiple trips. EU officials hope it could be up and running after legislative approval by early next decade.