ETIAS: What UK travellers need to know
Last updated:
No — ETIAS is not yet in force. No start date has been confirmed. The EU had aimed for late 2026 but this has slipped, and 2027 is now likely. The EU will give several months' notice before it starts.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an upcoming travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers visiting the Schengen Area and associated European countries for short stays.
Quick ETIAS summary
- Status: Not required yet
- Expected start: not confirmed yet; the EU has said it will give several months' notice
- Fee: €20 (free for under 18s and over 70s)
- Important: Even if free, you still need to apply
- Validity: up to 3 years
- Stay limit: 90 days in any 180-day period
- Where: 30 European countries (not Ireland)
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation (not a visa). It will be required for travellers from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, before visiting participating European countries for short stays.
When will ETIAS start?
The EU originally said ETIAS would start in the last quarter of 2026. That timetable has slipped after problems rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES), and the agency running the system has said a launch by the end of 2026 is no longer feasible. No new date has been confirmed, but 2027 is now likely. The EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance.
What happens when ETIAS launches?
ETIAS will be phased in, so travellers won't be turned away straight away:
- First 6 months (transitional period): nobody will be refused entry for not having ETIAS, as long as they meet the other entry rules.
- Following 6 months (grace period): only people entering for the first time since the transitional period ended can travel without ETIAS. If you have already visited during that time, you will need ETIAS.
- After that: ETIAS is required for all eligible travellers.
Which countries will require ETIAS?
ETIAS will be needed for 30 European countries — the 29 Schengen countries (including Bulgaria and Romania) plus Cyprus:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Ireland is not included. You will not need ETIAS to travel from the UK to Ireland.
Who will need ETIAS?
Once introduced, UK passport holders travelling for tourism, business, or short visits will usually need ETIAS for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It will not apply to work, study, or long-term stays.
Who won't need ETIAS?
- British citizens who also hold an EU passport (travel on your EU passport)
- UK nationals with an EU residence permit or residence card, including Withdrawal Agreement residence documents
- Anyone travelling on a long-stay visa for one of the ETIAS countries
Do children and over 70s need ETIAS?
Yes. Even if you do not have to pay the fee, you will still need to apply for ETIAS and receive approval before travelling.
- Under 18s: must apply, but do not pay
- Over 70s: must apply, but do not pay
How much will ETIAS cost?
The ETIAS fee is €20 for applicants aged 18 to 70. Applicants under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee, but must still apply.
How long will ETIAS be valid?
ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until your passport expires. If you renew your passport, you will need a new ETIAS.
What is the difference between ETIAS and EES?
- ETIAS: Permission to travel (apply before your trip)
- EES: Operational border system that records your entry and exit
ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System (EES) are separate systems. EES started on 12 October 2025 and is fully operational from 10 April 2026 at the external borders of participating European countries.
- ETIAS gives you permission to travel
- EES records when you enter and leave participating European countries
- You do not apply for EES — it happens automatically at the border
- At EES checks, travellers may be asked for fingerprints and a facial image
EES update: after long queues at some airports this summer, countries were allowed to temporarily suspend fingerprint and photo checks at busy times. That flexibility ended in early September 2026, so expect full EES checks on your first visit and allow extra time at the border.
How to apply
- Apply online via the official ETIAS website or app (once live)
- Provide passport and personal details
- Answer security questions
- Pay the fee if required
How long will an application take?
- Most applications: approved within minutes
- Some applications: up to 4 days if they need manual checks
- If you are asked for more information: up to 14 days
- If you are invited to an interview: up to 30 days
Apply well before you travel, so there is time for any extra checks.
Important travel tips
- Use the same passport for ETIAS and travel
- If you renew your passport, you will need a new ETIAS
- ETIAS does not replace passport validity rules
- Your passport must still meet EU entry rules (10-year rule + 3 months validity)
ETIAS is not the same as passport validity
You still need a valid passport that meets EU entry requirements.