ETIAS for UK Citizens - The Post-Brexit Guide for 2026
Since Brexit, British passport holders visit Europe as third-country nationals. Starting late 2026, you will also need ETIAS before travelling. Here is what every UK traveller needs to know.
Get Notified When ETIAS Opens
Join 12,000+ travellers. We will email you the moment British citizens can apply.
What It Means for You
What ETIAS means for British travellers after Brexit
Before Brexit, UK citizens could move freely across Europe without any pre-travel registration. That changed on 1 January 2021. While British passport holders can still visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days, ETIAS will add a mandatory pre-screening step. It is one more consequence of leaving the EU, but the process is straightforward.
Not a Visa
ETIAS does not replace your visa-free access to Europe. Your UK passport still qualifies for visa-free short stays. ETIAS is a pre-registration that screens travellers before they arrive.
Linked to Your Passport
Once approved, your ETIAS is digitally linked to your UK passport. No stickers, no stamps, no paper documents. Just travel with the same passport you used to apply.
Three Years, Unlimited Trips
One ETIAS covers unlimited trips to any of the 30 Schengen countries for three years, or until your passport expires. No need to reapply for each trip.
Minutes to Apply
The application is entirely online. Enter your details, answer a short set of background questions, and most approvals come through within minutes.
UK-Specific Details
What UK passport holders need to know
Brexit changed your travel status
As a non-EU national, you are now in the same category as US, Canadian, and Australian travellers. Before Brexit, you had automatic right of entry. Now you have visa-free access, but ETIAS adds a pre-authorisation requirement on top of that.
The UK's own ETA system
The UK launched its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in 2024 for visitors from visa-exempt countries. ETIAS is the EU's equivalent. If you have helped a non-British friend apply for a UK ETA, the ETIAS process will feel very similar.
Irish passport holders are exempt
If you hold an Irish passport (even alongside a British one), you do not need ETIAS. Ireland is an EU member state. If you are eligible for Irish citizenship through ancestry, it may be worth applying before ETIAS launches.
The 90/180-day rule
UK citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. ETIAS does not change this limit. If you need to stay longer, you will need a national visa or residence permit from the specific country.
Travelling to non-Schengen EU countries
ETIAS covers the 30 Schengen countries. Some EU countries like Ireland, Cyprus, and Romania are not in Schengen and have their own entry requirements. Check each country's rules separately if your trip includes non-Schengen destinations.
Comparison
ETIAS vs UK ETA - how they compare
The UK now runs its own ETA system for incoming visitors. Here is how the EU's ETIAS compares to the system the UK introduced in 2024.
| Feature | EU ETIAS | UK ETA |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Small one-time fee | £10 |
| Validity | 3 years | 2 years |
| Max stay | 90 days / 180-day period | 6 months per visit |
| Countries covered | 30 Schengen countries | United Kingdom only |
| Application time | ~5 minutes online | ~10 minutes via app |
| Approval speed | Usually minutes, up to 30 days | Usually 3 working days |
| Biometrics required | No | Facial photo via app |
| Linked to passport | Yes | Yes |
Step by Step
How British citizens apply for ETIAS
The process is entirely online. No embassy visit, no interview, no biometrics.
Confirm you need ETIAS
As a UK passport holder who currently visits Europe visa-free, you will need ETIAS once it launches. If you also hold an EU passport, you do not need one.
Complete the online form
Enter your personal details, passport information, employment history, and answer a short set of security and health questions. The form takes around 5 minutes.
Pay the application fee
A small fee is paid online by debit or credit card at the time of application. It is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Fee waivers apply for certain age groups.
Receive your approval
Most applications are approved within minutes. You will receive an email confirmation. Your ETIAS is digitally linked to your passport. No printing needed.
Travel to Europe
Present your passport at the border. Your ETIAS is checked automatically. It covers unlimited trips for three years across all 30 Schengen countries.
Questions from British Travellers
ETIAS FAQ for UK citizens
The most common questions British travellers are asking about ETIAS.
Other Guides
ETIAS guides for other nationalities
Don't get caught out when ETIAS launches
Join 12,000+ travellers on our early access list. We'll add you to our ETIAS PORTAL mailing list.