How does Brexit continue to affect tourism?

The UK’s exit from the EU has had a major impact on the tourism industry.

The new regulations imply that travelers can face in the UK even more difficulties.

Frustrated by the UK’s exit from the European Union, John Francis no longer wanted his British passport, after Brexit officially entered into force on February 1, 2020.

Instead, he applied for German citizenship and thus could continue to travel as an EU citizen. Now, he lives in the small German city of obertshausen, where he runs his company, Britain.de, who organizes a holiday home for tourists in England, Scotland and Wales.

« Sometimes, there was a lot of uncertainty among my clients, » he said. “They had a lot of questions, such as, ‘What will be required to enter the country in the future? Will there be a need for a visa? Will there be a need for a passport? ”

The general confusion about new changes has undoubtedly led to a decrease in the number of people who choose to go on vacation to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

However, it is difficult to determine the amount of the consequences of the Brexus in the travel industry, as the UK’s exit from the Block coincided with a decline in tourism due to the Covid-19 pandemia.

« It is not possible to say exactly what impact Brexit has had in terms of numbers, » a spokesman for the British Tourism Agency Vitisitain told DW. « The developments of recent years are very complex for this. » Instead, the spokesman noted a significant increase in the number of visitors in recent months.

The most complicated entry for EU citizens

Statistics also show that while countries such as Italy, Spain and France were already watching a record number of tourists after the pandemia in 2023, the United Kingdom was still after 40.9 million international arrivals in 2019. The country received 38 million visitors in 2023.

While there were more passengers in the United States, Canada and Australia in 2023 than in 2019, fewer EU tourists visited during that period.
Companies organizing school trips from abroad to the United Kingdom have suffered greatly in the post -Brexit era. One of the changes caused by Brexit is that EU citizens should now have a passport to enter the UK-as they simply have an ID card is no longer enough.

Tourism Alliance, the Umbrella Association for the UK Tourism Industry, said that the new passport rule has made the number of school travel visitors fall, losing millions of pounds in the country.

Lack of workers in the tourism industry

Christoph Knobloch, managing director of German company CTS Reisen, specializing in group and study trips, has also noticed a decline in reservations due to a passport demand.

The additional cost needed to get a passport acts as an obstacle, especially for younger students. And unlike before, EU stateless students may also need a visa, which can cost up to 300 € ($ 323), Knobloch said.

It is not even guaranteed that the applicant will be allowed to enter the bottom. « This requires a great deal of organization and many teachers do not want to risk it, » he added.

But the consequences of Brexit are more evident in the lack of workforce. Since EU citizens now need a visa to work in the UK, dozens of thousands of workers have left the country. According to a Scottish government report on Brexit effects, staff lack has been reported by 45% of tourist businesses in mountainous areas and islands of Scotland due to loss of freedom of movement.

The new registration system operates from April 2

Future changes can further hinder tourists. From April 2, 2025 it is mandatory for EU citizens to have an electronic travel authorization (ETA)-a digital permit to travel to the United Kingdom.

Visitors to the UK who currently do not need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have immigration status in the UK, will be required to apply for ETA before traveling. Travelers from the USA with no visa in the UK are already required to have an ETA, while Indian citizens, for example, will not need digital permits, as they are required to have a UK visa regardless.

To get ETA, passengers need to be registered through an app or online, which can be a problem for those who are less capable of technology, say some new plan critics.

ETA’s initial cost will be £ 10 ($ 12.75 / 12 euro), although a planned increase to £ 16 ($ 20.70) has already been announced. The International Air Transport Association has sharply criticized the measure in an official statement. « It makes no sense to discourage high -cost visitors even before they are violated in the country, » Iata said.

On the other hand, UK residents will also face travel challenges when visiting European Union countries, just like tourists from many other countries, including India, China and the US.

The EU is also presenting a new travel authorization, the European information system and travel authorization, for travelers coming from countries who do not seek visa to enter the EU for tourist purposes. This will take effect in 2026 and cost 7 € ($ 7.60), although some passengers will be exempt from fee payment.

Travelers will also need to use an online registration system, the ES input/exit system, which is expected to be operational in October 2025 (more information you can find in Travel-Europe.europa.eu).

Brexit certainly did not make the journey between the EU and the United Kingdom easier.

However, John Francis was fortunate enough to find an easy solution. He renewed his British passport and now has two nationalities. He can decide which passport to use when traveling between UK and EU-whichever one with fewer rules comes. /DW