Britons will be liable to pay the visa-waiver fee under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) as citizens of a non-EU state entering the EU.

The electronic document, which can be valid for up to three years, allows citizens of such countries to go into countries in the Schengen Zone for business or travel purposes for up to 90 days.

They are not allowed to work or study but can engage in business and tourism activities, according to the Etias website. The site says British citizens can then travel on to other EU member states but the Etias does not guarantee entry into the EU countries. “This is at the discretion of the border authorities,” the site explains in its FAQs section, adding: “There are countries in the EU, which are not in the Schengen Zone, and you cannot enter them with the Etias authorization.”

The system is expected to be implemented in 2021 and will apply to UK nationals once the law on free movement of citizens ceases to apply to them, the Independent writes, quoting European Commission draft regulation. The fee is only valid for adults aged 18-70: over 70s and under 18s go free.