BRUSSELS — People traveling to the EU will soon have another piece of admin to contend with.

Non-EU citizens, including Americans, Australians, Brits and other travelers from outside the Schengen zone will need to fill out a €7 application to get in from next year.

Under the so-called ‘90 day rule’, citizens of these and many other countries can currently spend up to 90 days, in every 180, without needing a visa in the EU.

That’s not changing fundamentally, as people are still entitled to spend this much time inside the EU, but the process will no longer be completely admin-free.

Called the ‘European Travel Information and Authorization System’ — ETIAS for short — the new rule is intended to “increase security and help prevent health threats to the bloc”.

The new security measure affects people who do not live permanently in an EU country or don’t need a visa to stay in one.

Tourists, second-home owners, those visiting family or friends or involved in short-term work in the 26 Schengen zone countries should therefore take note.

The new ETIAS program is being likened to the Australian ETA and the US ESTA visa waivers, both used for short-term stays.

The rules for those who require a Schengen visa — including the majority of citizens in Africa, Asia and South America — will remain the same.

The European Commission says this will have “minimal effect” on people traveling to Europe.

Eligible travelers will have to fill out an online application before they arrive, which costs €7 or is free to under-18s or over-70s.

It should take only a matter of minutes to fill out the form — which will require biometric passport information and travel details, as well as some basic security questions.

But travelers are advised to apply 72 hours in advance just in case of any delays.

ETIAS is set to come into force before the end of 2022. Once your application has been approved it lasts for three years — which is good news for frequent travelers, although it must then be renewed. — Euronews