The EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is a new visa-waiver system that British travellers will need to visit Europe from next year. In July 2025, EU officials announced the fee would rise to €20 (£17) for third-country nationals. The system, which works in conjunction with the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), will be rolled out in the last quarter of 2026, although an exact date has not been set.
Designed to vet visa-exempt visitors for security purposes, it will be a requirement for entry into the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus. There are some exemptions though. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, here’s what you need to know.
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What is the Etias?
The Etias is a visa waiver required for entry into the 29 Schengen states plus Cyprus. It is only applicable to those travelling under visa-free travel rules. If you are travelling under a visa or have a residence permit, you won’t need to apply for an Etias.
The Schengen states are the 29 countries in Europe that have agreed to an open border with each other. At the moment they are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In addition, the Etias will also be required when visiting Cyprus, which is undergoing the process for joining the Schengen area.
The Etias was first proposed in 2016 by the European Commission. The idea was to create a digital vetting system to “identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States”.
The Etias is designed for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). It is not considered a visa, according to the EU, partly because it’s cheaper, quicker and easier to apply for. You don’t need to apply at an embassy, for example, and you don’t need to share as much information as you might have to for a visa. All you have to do is fill in a form before you travel, pay the fee, and you should usually receive your authorisation within minutes. See below for more details.
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Is Etias mandatory?
The Etias is a requirement for citizens of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories who are travelling to the 30 countries listed above under visa-free travel rules. The list of visa-exempt countries includes the UK, as well as: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the UAE, the US, Uruguay and Venezuela.
If you are a citizen of any of the 30 countries requiring an Etias, or have a residence permit for any of the countries, you will not need a travel authorisation to visit one of the others. And if you are travelling under another type of visa, you won’t need to apply for an Etias.
Nationals of Andorra, the Holy See (Vatican), Ireland, Monaco and San Marino will also not need an Etias.
An Etias is also not required if you’re only transiting and staying in the “international transit area”.
Which countries don’t require an Etias?
Within Europe, countries that don’t require the Etias include Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine and the Vatican. However, keep in mind that in some cases you may need to travel through a country where it is required (for example, to reach the Vatican you’ll need to travel to Italy).
Can I travel throughout the Schengen zone with an Etias?
Yes, you only need to apply for the Etias once and then you can travel to any of the countries requiring the document while it’s valid. However, you can’t stay for more than 90 days within any 180 days across all the countries. The new EES system will be able to track your travel to make sure this limit is not exceeded. If you are planning to stay any longer you can apply for a visa.
Do I need to show my passport in Europe?
As countries in the Schengen zone have an open border policy (although some European nations have temporarily reinstated borders due to migration pressure) you don’t usually need to show your passport when crossing the border between the member states.
How long will it take to apply for an Etias?
The system should work in a similar way to the Esta that is used to enter the US. The “largely automated IT system” will have a digital application form that you’ll have to fill in. This will be available through an official website as well as on a mobile app, which have yet to launch. You will need a valid passport to fill in the form, and your passport will have to be less than ten years old, and have at least three months of validity left on it after the end of your stay.
As part of the application, you will need to supply the following information:
• Personal details including your name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number
• Travel document details
• Details about your level of education and current occupation
• Details about your intended stay
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country
Once completed, your details will be checked against databases held by EU countries, including immigration and Interpol. In 95 per cent of cases, a travel authorisation should be issued within minutes. It doesn’t guarantee your entry into the Schengen zone — your details will still be checked at the border.
Some applications may need to be manually checked, which could take up to four days. In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview and this could extend the application process to 30 days. Crucially, the EU now strongly recommends that you apply for your Etias before you buy your ticket or book your accommodation.
The final decision will be sent to you via email. Should you be rejected, a reason will be given along with details of the appeals procedure.
Before you board your flight, train or another mode of transport, you may be asked to verify whether you have an Etias. On arrival at border control, your Etias authorisation will be checked alongside your passport or other travel documents but you should then be allowed through as normal, assuming all other requirements are met. Your Etias is linked to the passport you used for your application so if you get a new passport you will also need to apply for a new Etias.
How much does an Etias cost?
The EU announced in July 2025 that the fee for an Etias would increase to €20 (£17). Everyone travelling under the visa-free agreement is required to apply for an Etias authorisation and the fee is required for applicants aged between 18 and 70. Those under 18 or over 70 will not have to pay the €20 but will still need to apply. In some cases, family members of EU citizens are also exempt from the fee.
How long does an Etias last?
An Etias lasts up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It can, however, be revoked at any time.
When does it start?
The European Council has said that Etias is likely to launch in the last few months of 2026, although no exact date has been set. The new EES system needs to launch first, which will help track entries and exits into the Schengen block. This is scheduled for October 12, 2025, with countries required to roll out the system within a six-month period of the launch date (passports will still be stamped).
Once the Etias arrives there will be a “transitional” period of at least six months. Travellers should still apply for an Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil remaining entry conditions. After that period there will be a “grace” period, in which all first-time travellers to Europe will be allowed to enter without an Etias as long as they satisfy other entry requirements. Those who entered Europe in the transitional period without an Etias will be denied entry in the subsequent grace period.
How can I avoid Etias scams?
Although the Etias scheme is not yet operational, websites offering information and eligibility forms have appeared, many of which look official but are not. Any information on the scheme will come from the EU, and the official website is the most reliable resource to use. It’s also worth noting that if any service charges you more than €20 to apply for the Etias, it is not the official website.
What about travellers coming to the UK?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has now launched in the UK and is required for visitors from certain countries — including most of Europe, Australia, Canada and the US — before they travel to the UK, including children and babies. It costs £10 and is valid for two years (or until you get a new passport).
You will need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK for the following reasons:
• Up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
• Up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• Visiting for a permitted paid engagement
• Transiting through the UK if going through UK border control
You won’t need an ETA if you already have a visa for the UK; have permission to live, work or study here; you’re a British or Irish passport holder, or travelling on a British overseas territories citizen passport — or if you’re transiting and not passing through border control. Residents of Ireland may also be exempt in certain circumstances.
Applications can be made on the gov.uk website or via the dedicated app and you will usually receive a decision within three working days.
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