by British travelers to the European Union and the wider Schengen Area will have to apply in advance for a visit permit online from November 2025, according to current plans in Brussels.
EU officials have confirmed that the long-delayed “entry-exit system” will come into effect on 10 November 2024. From that date, all UK travelers entering the Schengen Area must, in theory, at a minimum, have a fingerprint and provide a biometric face. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland and Cyprus, which are in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
Six months later after the EES comes into force, ie in May 2025 according to the latest plan, the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias) will be launched.
What is Etias?
British travelers and those from all other “third country visa-exempt nationals” (as the UK has chosen to be post-Brexit) will have to provide information in advance so that border officials know more about them on arrival for them – and to identify people who are the European Union. trying to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening border controls, is an online permit system similar to the US Esta scheme (but cheaper at €7/£6 and valid for longer: three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expire, whichever is earlier).
“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorization if they travel to any of the European countries that require a short-term stay on Etias (90 days in any 180-day period),” the EU says.
“Its main function is to verify whether a third-country national meets the entry requirements before traveling to the Schengen area.”
When will I need one?
The European Union says: “From the first half of 2025, around 1.4 billion people from more than 60 visa-exempt countries will need a travel authorization to enter most European countries.”
That’s a terrible thing for British travelers to Europe in the summer of 2025. But fortunately the “must” in that statement is not accurate.
The EU also says: “After the launch of Etias in mid-2025 there will be a transition period of at least six months. This means that travelers, for travel during that time, should already apply for their Etias travel authorization, but those without a permit will not be refused entry as long as they meet the entry conditions all that is left.”
It will therefore not be compulsory for prospective visitors from the UK to apply online for permission to enter the Schengen Area until November 2025 at the earliest.
How do I apply?
At the heart of the system is the Etias website, which has an app to follow (any apps purporting to be official EU Etias apps are currently imposters).
Travelers will need to enter personal information including name, address, European contact details and passport details. They must also state occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational institution.
The applicant must provide details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.
Travelers must also indicate the reason for their trip (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will enter first, and provide the address of their first night’s stay – which will create a problem for tourists who like it. make plans as they go along.
The fee for all applicants aged between 18 and 70 is €7 (£6). Although those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and have an Etias, they do not need to pay.
What happens to the information?
All requests will be checked against the relevant EU and Interpol databases, as well as the “dedicated Etias watchlist”.
The system will be tuned to pick out people suspected of involvement in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.
In case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?
Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact you have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. The refusal notice will include details of how to appeal.
How far in advance do I need to apply?
It aims to grant Etias within minutes in most cases, although a simple application can take up to four days.
If a request is flagged (ie there is a “hit” on one of the databases) the potential visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, the EU says, the applicant may be asked to “participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to an additional 30 days”.
The European Union says: “We strongly recommend that you obtain an Etias travel authorization before buying your tickets and booking your hotels.”
If I get an Etias, do I need to print anything out?
The border guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.
Is Etias a visa?
The answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it’s just the opposite of a visa. Europe says Etias is a “pre-authorized travel system for visa-exempt travelers”. It is a similar concept to the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.
But Etias requires visitors to:
So I say it is the common man’s understanding of a visa.
Once I have Etias, is it guaranteed that I will be allowed to enter the Schengen Area?
“Possessing a valid travel authorization does not automatically lead to entry,” says the EU. As with the United States, travelers can be turned away for any reason, but an Etias permit can be cancelled.
Do I need to apply for Etias every time I travel to Europe?
The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is earlier. (Also note that British passports cannot be more than 10 years old on the day of entry into the European Union.)
Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?
The Common Travel Area, which includes the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, violates European Union rules, and in any case, Ireland is not in the Schengen area.
If I have a long-term residence permit from one of the EU nations, do I need to get an Etias?
No.
How are people without internet access supposed to apply?
They will be expected to find a friend, family member or travel agent to make the application on their behalf, in the same way as the US Esta and other similar schemes.
Just remind us of the 90/180 day rule?
This rule, which the UK has asked to be subject to after leaving the European Union, means that British travelers cannot stay more than 90 days in any 180-day stretch.
As an example of what it means: if you spent the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until the end of June.
Is the UK being punished for Brexit?
Work to strengthen the European Union’s external border was already underway before the United Kingdom’s referendum on membership in June 2016. British officials were initially involved in plans for the entry-exit system.
Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK were still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the British government negotiated to classify British travelers as third-country nationals – prompting red tape.
Will Etias be the next online scam?
Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are permitted.
But according to Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias – there are plenty of scam sites out there that are likely to charge fees well above the €7 (£6) mark.
Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted.
One “imposter” site claims that 671 applications have already been processed; this is impossible because no application has been processed anywhere.
Another site offers a 40 percent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.
Frontex also warns of the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.
