ETIAS Guidance
Understanding ETIAS: Your Travel Questions Answered
ETIAS Update (October '25)
The guidance also confirms that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to start in April 2026. Once ETIAS is introduced, UK passport holders will need to apply for authorisation (and pay a €20 fee) before entry. No action is required for ETIAS at this point.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Think of it as a travel waiver, similar to the ESTA for the USA, not a visa. It is designed to enhance security within the Schengen Area and includes four additional European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. When it becomes operational, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need ETIAS approval.
Do UK Citizens Need ETIAS Now?
No, not yet. ETIAS is expected to become mandatory in April 2026, following the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025. Once it's in place, UK citizens will need ETIAS authorisation to visit the Schengen Area and the four additional countries listed above.
When Does ETIAS Start?
ETIAS is scheduled to begin in April 2026. This follows the EES, which is planned for October 2025. The EES is an automated system that registers travelers from non-EU countries. Both systems have been delayed, but this is the current timeline.
How Do I Apply for ETIAS?
You'll apply online. You'll need a valid passport with at least three months of validity remaining. It's recommended to apply at least 96 hours before your trip. The ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years and covers all participating countries.
How Much Does ETIAS Cost?
ETIAS costs €20. It's free for travellers under 18 and over 70.
How Long Can I Stay in the EU with ETIAS?
ETIAS allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism. For work or study, you'll need a specific visa.
Do I Need a Separate ETIAS for Each Country?
No, one ETIAS covers all participating countries. You'll just need to indicate your first country of entry when you apply.
Is Travel Insurance Required?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly recommended. It covers travel disruptions, lost belongings, and medical emergencies. Consider getting an EHIC or GHIC for discounted healthcare.
Who Needs ETIAS?
Citizens of visa-exempt countries need ETIAS. This includes:
- Albania
- Georgia
- Moldova
- Singapore
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Grenada
- Montenegro
- Solomon Islands
- Argentina
- Guatemala
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Australia
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Taiwan
- Bahamas
- Hong Kong
- North Macedonia
- Timor-Leste
- Barbados
- Israel
- Palau
- Tonga
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Japan
- Panama
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Brazil
- Kiribati
- Paraguay
- Tuvalu
- Brunei
- Kosovo
- Peru
- Ukraine
- Canada
- Macau
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- United Arab Emirates
- Chile
- Malaysia
- Saint Lucia
- United Kingdom
- Colombia
- Marshall Islands
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- United States of America
- Costa Rica
- Mauritius
- Samoa
- Uruguay
- Dominica
- Mexico
- Serbia
- Venezuela
- El Salvador
- Micronesia
- Seychelles
Last Updated: 6 October '25
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) Guidance
The EES system is coming soon, and the guidance below explains how it will affect UK nationals travelling to the Schengen Area.
Get a head start on the EES! Learn about the new system now, before its introduction, as the exact date is still to be determined.
key points of ees (OCTOBER '25)
- Start Date: The EES will begin its rollout on 12 October 2025.
- Purpose: It is a new digital border system designed to replace the manual stamping of passports for non-EU nationals. Its goals are to improve border security, automate border control checks, and help the EU prevent visitors from overstaying the 90-days-in-180-days limit.
- Action Required (First Visit): On your first trip to the Schengen Area after the launch, you will be required to create a digital record by submitting your biometric details (fingerprints and a photo) at dedicated booths or kiosks.
- No Advance Action: You do not need to take any action or provide information before arriving at the border. There is no cost for EES registration.
- Digital Record Validity: Your EES digital record is valid for 3 years. Subsequent entries during this period will only require a fingerprint or photo check.
- Travel Delays: Travelers should be prepared for longer-than-usual wait times at the border once the system starts.
What is the EES?
This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area.
This means British nationals will need to register their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photo, when they arrive. The EES will replace the manual passport stamping process.
Travelling to the Schengen Area?
The new EES system will require travelers to create a digital record upon their first entry to the Schengen Area. This involves providing fingerprints and a photo at dedicated booths at the arrival airport or port. You do not need to submit any information before your trip. Expect potentially longer queues at Schengen Area arrival points. Travelers departing from Dover, Eurotunnel, or St Pancras should also be aware of potential EES-related delays and check with their travel operator. Once created, your digital record is valid for three years, allowing for faster entry and exit with fingerprint/photo scans on future trips.
Why is the EES Being Introduced?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to enhance border security and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen Area by automating border checks and preventing overstays. This is one part of the EU's ongoing work to strengthen its borders. In 2025, the EU will also introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). ETIAS will require UK passport holders to obtain pre-travel authorisation for Schengen Area entry by submitting personal and trip information and paying a €20 fee. Details about ETIAS, including the specific requirements for different nationalities, can be found on the EU's official Travel Europe website.
Affects on Travelling to the Schengen Area
The UK government has been working with key stakeholders, including the European Commission and travel industry, to prepare ports for the upcoming EES. To facilitate EES registration, the government is providing £3.5 million each to Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and the Port of Dover for infrastructure improvements, such as registration kiosks. Eurostar will install 50 kiosks at its stations, and Eurotunnel will have over 100, anticipating a minimal impact on journey times (approximately 5 minutes). The Port of Dover will utilise 24 kiosks for coach passengers and a streamlined agent-assisted tablet system for car passengers. For further details on the EES, visit the EU's official Travel Europe website.
MODES OF TRANSPORT AFFECTED
- Flying/Ferries (except Dover): EES checks will be completed at the border upon arrival in the destination Schengen country.
- Eurostar (St Pancras), Eurotunnel (Folkestone), and Port of Dover: EES checks will be completed at self-service kiosks and dedicated areas before you leave the UK.
- Cruises: Sailings that start and finish outside the Schengen Area (e.g., at a UK port) are generally exempt from EES checks, even for day trips into the Schengen Area.
differences between ees & etias
Primary Function
EES: Border crossing record-keeping. Records the exact entries and exits of travellers at the external border.
ETIAS: Pre-travel authorisation. Acts as a pre-screening tool to identify security risks before the traveler arrives at the border.
Where & When?
EES: At the border. Involves data collection that is part of the entry/exit process (e.g., at an airport or seaport).
ETIAS: Before travel. Requires an online application to be completed and approved before the trip begins.
Information Collected
EES: Biometric data (facial image and four fingerprints) and entry/exit records (date and location).
ETIAS: Primarily travel, personal information, background, and eligibility questions.
Duration & Validity
EES: A continuous record-keeping system that digitally tracks the duration of stay and travel history.
ETIAS: Valid for multiple entries over three years (or until the passport expires). Does not guarantee entry.
Cost
EES: No cost for the traveller's registration.
ETIAS: €20 application fee (free for travelers under 18 or over 70).
Target Group
EES: All non-EU nationals (short-stay), regardless of whether they are visa-exempt or hold a short-stay visa.
ETIAS: Visa-exempt non-EU nationals (including UK citizens) travelling for up to 90 days.
This page will be updated as information becomes available.
Stay tuned for the latest information.
Last Updated: 6 October '25