There are lots of changes coming to overseas travel for Australians this year.

Come May, Aussies will have to say goodbye to fee-less travel to Greece and other parts of Europe and will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver.

From May 1, visitors from over 50 nations, including Australia, will require an ETIAS to enter any of the Schengen area countries, including in transit.

It will cost Aussies around $12 to obtain one, which will valid for three years or until your passport expires, if that is sooner.

ETIAS visa waivers are valid for short-term stays (up to 90 days) and for business or leisure purposes.

The Schengen area is a group of 29 European countries, including Greece.

Cyprus is not currently a member of the area but has committed to joining in the future.

Applications are all completed online with most applications processed within minutes, although the EU has noted that “in very exceptional cases”, approvals could take up to a month.

For those planning to go to the United States, Australia will join more than 20 other countries in the US Global Entry program.

This means more streamlined immigration and customs clearance for eligible Australian travellers on arrival into the US.

The program is initially available this month to a limited number of Australians who frequently travel to the US.

Work is underway for it to be open to all eligible Australians who wish to apply later in the year.

Members will also automatically be eligible to participate in the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program, meaning a faster screening process travelling on US domestic flights.

As for the United Kingdom, Australians will now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering.

Already started this week, those with Australian passports entering the UK must apply for an ETA and have their application approved before boarding a flight.

Airfares will also surge this year according to the annual Amex Air Monitor report.

The report predicts domestic economy airfares will jump 13.7 per cent from last year.

Meanwhile travelling domestically will cost a lot more unless another airline enters the market.