If you have heard talk of a new requirement for travelling to Europe, you have probably come across ETIAS. It is a change that will affect millions of British travellers, but there is a lot of confusion about what it is and when it starts. This guide explains what ETIAS is and whether UK travellers will need it. Because the rollout has been delayed repeatedly, always check the official EU sources for the current position before you travel.
What ETIAS is
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a pre-travel authorisation for visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, who travel to participating European countries for short stays. Crucially, it is not a visa. It is a quick online permission, linked digitally to your passport, that pre-screens travellers before they arrive, similar in concept to the United States' ESTA or the UK's own electronic travel authorisation for foreign visitors. Once it is in force, eligible travellers will need it before travelling to the countries that require it.
It does not end visa-free travel
An important point that causes confusion: ETIAS does not mean British travellers now need a visa for Europe. UK passport holders remain visa-free for short stays; ETIAS is simply an additional online authorisation you obtain before you go, not a visa application with appointments and paperwork. The process is designed to be fast and mostly automatic. So while it is a new step to remember, it does not change your fundamental visa-free status for short European trips, but rather adds a pre-travel check on top of it.
Who will need it
ETIAS will apply to visa-exempt travellers, including British citizens, visiting the participating European countries, which cover the Schengen area and a number of others, for short stays such as tourism. That includes most popular European holiday destinations. If you are a UK passport holder taking a short trip to one of these countries, you will need an ETIAS authorisation once the system is live. It will be required from the launch onwards for relevant trips, so it is something the vast majority of British holidaymakers to Europe will eventually need.
When it is coming
This is where caution is essential. As of writing, ETIAS is not yet in force, and its start has been delayed many times over the years. Current expectations point to a launch around the latter part of 2026, followed by a transitional period during which it is not immediately mandatory, with full requirement expected some months later. However, these dates have repeatedly shifted, often because the related border system had to be ready first. Do not rely on any specific date here; always confirm the current timeline on the official EU sources before travelling.
How it will work
When live, ETIAS is designed to be straightforward. You will apply online through the official system, providing passport and personal details and answering some questions, then pay a fee. Most applications are expected to be approved quickly, often almost immediately, though some may take longer. The authorisation is then linked electronically to your passport, so there is nothing physical to carry. The aim is a simple, mostly automated process that takes only a few minutes for the majority of travellers, completed before you set off on your trip.
Cost and validity
ETIAS will carry a fee, though the exact amount has been the subject of changing figures and proposals, so check the official source for the confirmed cost rather than relying on any quoted price. It is expected that younger and older travellers, below and above certain ages, will be exempt from the fee. Once granted, an ETIAS authorisation is expected to be valid for around three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, covering multiple trips within that period rather than a single visit.
ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System
ETIAS is often mentioned alongside the EES, or Entry/Exit System, but they are separate things. The EES is an automated border system that records non-EU travellers entering and leaving using biometric data such as fingerprints and photos, replacing manual passport stamping, and it requires nothing to be applied for in advance. ETIAS, by contrast, is the authorisation you obtain before you travel. The two systems work together to manage Europe's borders, and the EES being ready has been a factor in ETIAS timing.
Beware ETIAS scams
Because ETIAS is well publicised but not yet live, it has become a target for scammers. The official application portal is not open yet, so any website currently accepting ETIAS applications or payments is fraudulent and should be avoided. When the system does launch, only ever apply through the official EU channels, and be wary of third-party sites charging inflated fees to do something you can do yourself. Our guide on booking a holiday safely covers avoiding travel scams more widely. Treat any premature or unofficial ETIAS site with great suspicion.
How to prepare now
Although there is no action to take until ETIAS launches, you can prepare sensibly. Make sure your passport is valid and meets Europe's rules, as ETIAS will be linked to it and a renewed passport will need a fresh authorisation. Our guides on UK passport rules for travel to Europe and checking your passport is valid help here. Keeping an eye on the official announcements, so you know when the system goes live, means you will be ready to apply as soon as you need to.
Always check the official source
Given the repeated delays and changing details, the single most important thing is to rely on official EU sources and GOV.UK for the current status, dates, fee and requirements, rather than on any third-party figure, including those here. This article explains the concept, but only the official channels can confirm whether ETIAS is in force, when it applies, and what it costs at any given time. Checking there before you book and again before you travel is the only reliable way to stay on the right side of the rules.
ETIAS and stopovers
One point worth knowing is that ETIAS may be needed even if you are only passing through. If your journey connects through an airport in a participating country, you may technically be entering that country's area and so need an authorisation, even without leaving the airport. This catches some travellers out on connecting flights. Our guide on whether you need a visa for a stopover or layover explains the wider point. When the system is live, factor in any connections through European hubs, not just your final destination.
What this means for you right now
For the moment, nothing changes: until ETIAS is officially in force, UK travellers continue to visit Europe with just a valid passport, exactly as they do now. There is no application to make and no fee to pay yet, and anyone telling you otherwise is likely a scammer. The sensible approach is simply to keep your passport valid and compliant with Europe's rules, and to watch for official confirmation of when ETIAS goes live. Once it does, applying will be a quick extra step to add to your trip planning.
In short
ETIAS is an online pre-travel authorisation, not a visa, that visa-exempt travellers including UK passport holders will need for short trips to participating European countries once it is in force. It does not end visa-free travel. As of writing it is not yet live, with launch expected around late 2026 after repeated delays and a transitional period to follow, but dates and the fee have changed, so confirm the current position on official EU sources. Beware scam sites, as the real portal is not yet open.
Find more on European travel in our Passports & Travel Documents guides.