If you have a visa-exempt passport and you plan to visit Europe in late 2026 or beyond, you will need to apply for something new before you board your flight: ETIAS — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

ETIAS is not a visa. It does not require an interview or a visit to a consulate. It is an electronic pre-travel authorisation that most travellers will obtain in under ten minutes from a smartphone. But if you forget to get one, the airline will not let you board.

This guide covers everything you need to know about ETIAS in 2026.

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a pre-travel security screening programme created by the European Union. Similar in concept to the United States' ESTA or Australia's ETA, ETIAS will require travellers from certain countries to obtain an authorisation before they can enter the Schengen Area.

Once issued, an ETIAS authorisation is linked to your passport, valid for three years (or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner), and allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

ETIAS is managed by eu-LISA (the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems) and sits alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES) as part of Europe's next-generation border management strategy.

Which countries require ETIAS?

ETIAS applies to citizens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area. If you already need a visa to enter Schengen, nothing changes for you — you still apply for a visa through the standard process.

Countries whose citizens will need ETIAS include:

• United Kingdom — post-Brexit, UK citizens will need ETIAS for EU travel
• United States and Canada
• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore
• Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico
• UAE, Israel, Taiwan
• And approximately 60 other visa-exempt nations

When does ETIAS launch?

ETIAS has faced several delays since its original planned launch. The current official EU position is that ETIAS is expected in the last quarter of 2026, but the exact start date is still to be announced. The current high-level timeline is:

Phase	Expected Date	What it means
Official target window	Last quarter of 2026	The EU says ETIAS is expected to start operations in this window; exact date still to be announced
First phase after launch	Transitional period	ETIAS will not become a hard all-traveller boarding rule on day one
Later phase	Grace period, then full enforcement	Check the official ETIAS pages for the final rollout notice before treating any date as fixed

The EU has confirmed that ETIAS will be phased in. Do not rely on old one-line dates or boarding assumptions without checking the live official ETIAS pages first.

Which countries does ETIAS cover?

ETIAS covers the Schengen Area — currently 29 countries:

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Note that ETIAS does not apply to Ireland (which is not in Schengen) or to the United Kingdom (which has its own ETA system). If your trip includes both Schengen and the UK, you may need both an ETIAS and a UK ETA.

How much does ETIAS cost?

The ETIAS fee is set at €20 per application for adults aged 18-70. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee.

The fee is paid online at the time of application. There is no separate fee for the three-year validity period — one €20 payment covers all travel during that period.

How do I apply for ETIAS?

You cannot apply for ETIAS yet. Once the EU opens the official system, the process is expected to be quick and fully online:

1. Wait for the official ETIAS launch notice on the EU's Travel to Europe pages
2. Use the official ETIAS website or app once the EU confirms it is live
3. Complete the online form with passport, personal, and background details
4. Pay the €20 fee online if you are in the chargeable age band
5. Wait for the official decision before travel

How long is ETIAS valid?

Once granted, an ETIAS authorisation is valid for three years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. If you renew your passport, you will need a new ETIAS authorisation.

Each ETIAS allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area, but remember the 90/180-day rule still applies: you cannot spend more than 90 days in the Schengen Area in any rolling 180-day period.

ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System (EES)

ETIAS works alongside EES (Entry/Exit System), which launches in April 2026. EES records when and where non-EU nationals enter and exit the Schengen Area — replacing manual passport stamping with an automated digital record.

Together, ETIAS and EES form Europe's new Smart Borders system. At border crossings, officers will verify your ETIAS authorisation, scan your biometrics via EES, and confirm your remaining Schengen days — all automatically.

What if my ETIAS application is refused?

Applications can be refused if the applicant is flagged in EU security databases or has a recent history of immigration violations. If refused, you will receive a written explanation and instructions on how to appeal. A refusal does not automatically mean you cannot travel to the EU — you may be able to apply for a standard Schengen visa through an embassy or consulate instead.

Key ETIAS facts: quick reference

Topic	Answer
Cost	€20 (adults 18-70)
Valid for	3 years or passport expiry
Processing time	Minutes (up to 96 hours)
Multiple entry?	Yes
Max stay per visit	90 days in 180 days
Covers Ireland?	No (Ireland is not Schengen)
Covers UK?	No (UK has its own ETA)
Mandatory from	Exact date still to be confirmed officially

If you're planning a trip to Europe in 2026 or later, you may have come across two acronyms: UK ETA and ETIAS. They sound similar, they work similarly, and confusing them is one of the most common travel mistakes right now. This guide explains everything, clearly.

The core difference in one sentence

The UK ETA is issued by the British government and required to enter the United Kingdom. ETIAS is issued by the European Union and required to enter the Schengen Area. They are completely separate systems with no connection to each other.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	UK ETA	ETIAS (Schengen)
Issued by	UK Home Office	European Union
Covers	England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland	29 Schengen countries
Cost	GBP 16 (GBP 20 from 8 April 2026)	€20
Validity	2 years or passport expiry	3 years or passport expiry
Multiple entry?	Yes	Yes
Max stay per visit	6 months (standard visitor)	90 days in 180 days
Live since	January 2024 (phased rollout)	Not live yet - EU target window is the last quarter of 2026
Application	UKVI app or online	Official EU website

Who needs a UK ETA?

The UK ETA is required for citizens of visa-exempt countries who wish to visit the United Kingdom. This includes nationals of the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Brazil, and many more.

The ETA is not required for:

• British and Irish citizens
• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens (they use a separate route)
• People who already have a UK visa
• People with UK settled or pre-settled status

The UK ETA costs GBP 16 until 8 April 2026, after which the fee rises to GBP 20. It is valid for two years and allows stays of up to 6 months per visit.

Who needs ETIAS?

ETIAS is required for citizens of countries that currently have visa-free access to the Schengen Area. This includes:

• UK citizens — one of the largest groups affected
• US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand nationals
• Japanese, South Korean, Singaporean nationals
• And approximately 60 other visa-exempt nations

ETIAS costs €20 and is valid for three years. It covers all Schengen countries — so one ETIAS lets you visit France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and all other Schengen members without further applications.

Can I need both at the same time?

Yes. If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt non-EU country (such as the US, Canada, or Australia) and your trip includes both the UK and a Schengen country, you will eventually need both a UK ETA and an ETIAS.

UK citizens travelling to Europe will need an ETIAS but do not need a UK ETA (they are British). EU citizens travelling to the UK need to check the current entry guidance for their nationality but generally do not need an ETA.

What about Ireland?

Ireland is not in the Schengen Area and is not part of the UK. Ireland has its own entry rules:

• EU and EEA citizens can travel freely to Ireland
• UK citizens can travel to Ireland without any visa or ETA under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement
• Most other nationalities that are visa-exempt for the UK are also visa-exempt for Ireland, but check the Irish Immigration Service for your specific passport
• Ireland does not use ETIAS

Timeline: when do these systems go live?

Event	Date
UK ETA launched (phased rollout)	Jan 2024 - Apr 2025
UK ETA fee increase (GBP 16 → GBP 20)	8 April 2026
Schengen EES (Entry/Exit System) goes live	April 2026
ETIAS target launch window	Last quarter of 2026 (official target)
ETIAS hard enforcement	Later, after transitional and grace periods

How to apply for each

UK ETA application

1. Download the UKVI: UK Visas and Immigration app, or visit gov.uk/apply-for-an-eta
2. Scan your biometric passport
3. Take a selfie for facial recognition
4. Pay GBP 16 (or GBP 20 from April 8, 2026)
5. Receive decision — usually within minutes, up to 3 business days

ETIAS application (once the official system opens)

1. Check that ETIAS is actually live for your travel date on the official EU pages
2. Use the official ETIAS website or app once announced
3. Complete the online form with passport and travel information
4. Pay €20 if you are in the chargeable age band
5. Wait for the official decision before travel

"Do I need a visa?" is one of the most searched travel questions on the internet — and for good reason. The answer depends on your nationality, your destination, the purpose of your trip, and increasingly, the date you travel. This guide walks you through the full process for the UK and the Schengen Area.

The fundamental rule: passport nationality, not residence

Your visa requirement is based on the passport you travel on, not where you currently live. A Pakistani national living in the UK for 20 years still needs to check Pakistani passport requirements, not British ones. A French citizen living in Canada enters the EU freely on their French passport.

The UK and the Schengen Area are different

This is the most important thing to understand before checking your requirements:

• The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) is not part of the EU and manages its own visa policy.
• The Schengen Area covers 29 European countries with a common external border policy. Being visa-free for one Schengen country means you are visa-free for all of them.
• Ireland is in the EU but not Schengen, and has a special arrangement with the UK (the Common Travel Area).

A trip to London and Paris requires satisfying both the UK and the EU/Schengen entry requirements.

Step 1 - Am I visa-exempt for the UK?

Many nationalities can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. Visa-exempt countries include (among others): USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, all EU/EEA countries, and many more.

However, even if you are visa-exempt, you still need a UK ETA from January 2025 onward (if your nationality is covered by the ETA scheme). The UK ETA costs GBP 16 until 8 April 2026, then GBP 20, and is applied for online.

If your nationality is not visa-exempt, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (or the appropriate visa category) from a UK Visa Application Centre.

Step 2 - Am I visa-exempt for Schengen?

The EU publishes a list of countries whose nationals can enter Schengen without a visa. The list includes: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, UK (post-Brexit), Brazil, Argentina, and many others.

If you are on the visa-exempt list, you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period (the 90/180 rule) without a visa. Once the EU officially launches ETIAS, you will also need an ETIAS pre-travel authorisation (see ETIAS 2026 Explainer).

If your nationality is not visa-exempt for Schengen, you need to apply for a Schengen visa through the embassy or consulate of the country you will spend the most time in (or the first Schengen country you enter, if time is equal).

Step 3 - The 90/180 day rule (Schengen)

The 90/180 rule is one of the most misunderstood aspects of European travel for non-EU visitors. Here is how it works:

• In any rolling 180-day window, you can spend a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen Area.
• This is not a calendar-year reset — it is calculated from every single day rolling backwards 180 days.
• Days in non-Schengen EU countries (Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania) do not count towards your 90-day limit.
• Days in the UK do not count towards your Schengen 90-day limit.

Step 4 - Do I need anything else?

Beyond visa or ETA/ETIAS requirements, also check:

• Passport validity: The UK requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay. The EU Schengen Area requires your passport to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date.
• Health insurance: Schengen visa applicants must show proof of travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000. Even if you are visa-exempt, travel insurance is strongly recommended.
• Proof of onward travel: Border officers can ask for proof you intend to leave before the allowed stay expires.
• Proof of funds: You may be asked to show sufficient funds for your stay.

Common passport scenarios — quick answers

Passport	UK	Schengen (now)	Schengen (after ETIAS)
US / Canada	ETA required	Visa-free (90/180)	ETIAS required
UK	Home (no restriction)	Visa-free (90/180)	ETIAS required
Australia / NZ	ETA required	Visa-free (90/180)	ETIAS required
India	Visa required	Visa required	Visa required
South Africa	Visa required	Visa required	Visa required
France / Germany (EU)	Entry allowed, check current guidance	Free movement	Free movement (no ETIAS)

Britain left the European Union on January 31, 2020, and the transition period ended on December 31, 2020. Since then, British citizens travelling to Europe have faced new rules — and more changes are coming in 2026 and 2027. Here is what you need to know as a British passport holder.

Do UK citizens still need a visa for Europe?

No — for now. British citizens can still travel to Schengen Area countries without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is because the EU grants visa-free access to UK nationals as part of its standard policy for many non-EU countries — it is not a special Brexit deal.

However, "visa-free" does not mean "no requirements". British travellers now face new pre-travel requirements compared to before Brexit.

What changed after Brexit?

1. The 90/180-day rule now applies to UK citizens

Before Brexit, British citizens could live and work in any EU country indefinitely. Since January 1, 2021, UK citizens are treated as "third-country nationals" and are subject to the Schengen 90/180 rule: a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen Area in any rolling 180-day period.

This affects anyone who spends extended time in Europe for leisure, business, or as a digital nomad. Counting your days carefully is now essential.

2. Passport validity requirements changed

Before Brexit, a UK passport just had to be valid for your trip. Now, EU Schengen rules require:

• Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the Schengen Area
• Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from Schengen

3. ETIAS is expected after the last quarter of 2026

The EU says ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026, but the exact go-live date is still to be announced. UK citizens should not try to apply yet because the official ETIAS system is not live.

Once ETIAS is officially opened, UK citizens will need to follow the EU's online process before Schengen trips. The rollout is phased, so always check the official ETIAS pages rather than relying on old fixed dates.

4. EES (Entry/Exit System) — biometrics at EU borders

The EU says the Entry/Exit System (EES) started a gradual rollout on 12 October 2025. This replaces manual passport stamping with an automated biometric record at the border. At your first Schengen entry each trip, you will:

• Have your fingerprints scanned
• Have a photo taken
• Have your travel documents verified

This will add some time at the border, especially for travellers crossing at land borders or busy ferry ports. Airlines have been warned to expect longer processing times at EU airports.

What stayed the same after Brexit?

• No visa needed for short stays in Schengen countries (up to 90 days)
• Ireland travel unaffected — UK citizens can still travel freely to Ireland under the Common Travel Area (CTA)
• No change to rights already held — UK citizens who obtained EU settled status before the deadline retain those rights
• EU students in UK — unaffected if on pre-Brexit schemes; new students follow post-Brexit visa rules

Travelling to Ireland as a UK citizen

The UK and Ireland have maintained the Common Travel Area (CTA), which predates both the EU and Brexit. Under the CTA:

• British and Irish citizens can move freely between the UK and Ireland
• No passport required (though an ID document is recommended)
• No visa, no ETA, no ETIAS — now or planned
• Ireland is not in Schengen, so time in Ireland does not count towards your 90-day Schengen allowance

Tips for UK citizens travelling to Europe in 2026

1. Check your passport issue date — it must be less than 10 years old when you enter Schengen
2. Check your passport expiry — it must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Schengen
3. Count your Schengen days — track your 90/180-day allowance if you travel frequently
4. Watch the official ETIAS launch notice - do not try to apply until the official EU system is open for your travel date
5. Allow extra time at EU borders — EES biometric registration will add time at your first crossing each trip
6. Check long-stay requirements — if you want to stay longer than 90 days, you will need a national visa from the specific EU country (e.g., a French long-stay visa)

Transit rules are among the most complex and least understood areas of international travel. You can be connecting through a country for only a few hours with no intention of "entering" it — and still need a visa. This guide explains the rules for the UK, Schengen countries, and Ireland.

Airside vs landside transit — the key distinction

The most important concept to understand is the difference between airside and landside transit:

• Airside transit: You stay within the international (secure) zone of an airport. You do not pass through immigration or customs. You go from your arriving gate to your departing gate without exiting the secure zone.
• Landside transit (also called "entering the country"): You pass through border control into the country, even temporarily. This might happen if you need to change airports, collect checked baggage and re-check it, or if your layover is long enough that you want to leave the terminal.

Transit visa requirements often differ significantly between these two types. Many nationalities can transit airside without a visa, but would need one for landside transit.

UK transit rules

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)

Even if you are staying airside at a UK airport, certain nationalities need a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) before they can transit through the UK. This applies even if you never pass through UK border control.

The DATV is required for nationals of certain countries including:

• Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe

There are exceptions: even if you are from a DATV-required country, you may not need a DATV if you hold a valid visa or residence permit for the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain other countries. Always verify with official UK guidance.

UK Visitor Visa for landside transit

If you need to pass through UK border control (landside transit), you generally need either a UK Visitor Visa or a UK ETA, depending on your nationality.

If you are from a visa-exempt country (e.g., US, Canada, Australia), you can transit landside with just a UK ETA. If your nationality requires a visa to enter the UK, you will need a UK Visitor Visa for landside transit.

Changing airports in London

London has five major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and City. If your connecting flight is at a different airport from your arrival airport, you will need to exit the secure zone and travel overland between airports. This means landside transit rules apply — you are effectively entering the UK.

Schengen transit rules

Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for Schengen

Similar to the UK DATV, certain nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to transit airside through a Schengen airport, even without passing through immigration. The ATV requirement applies to a specific list of nationalities defined by the EU.

Schengen ATV-required nationalities include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and others. The exact list is maintained by the EU Commission.

If you are transiting and need to pass through Schengen border control (landside transit), you generally need a full Schengen visa.

The Schengen area is treated as one unit

Once you have entered the Schengen Area at any Schengen airport, you can transit freely to other Schengen countries without passing through border control again. A transit through Frankfurt to catch a flight to Barcelona, for example, does not require any additional checks once you are within Schengen.

Ireland transit rules

Ireland is not in the Schengen Area and has its own transit visa rules. In practice, Ireland's airside transit rules are relatively liberal — most nationalities can transit through Irish airports airside without a visa.

However, some nationalities do require a transit visa for Ireland. The Irish Immigration Service maintains the current list at irishimmigration.ie.

For UK citizens transiting through Ireland: no visa or ETA needed, under the Common Travel Area arrangement.

Transit and ETIAS

Once ETIAS launches, will you need an ETIAS even if you are just transiting airside through a Schengen airport?

This is exactly the kind of detail that should be checked against the official ETIAS pages once the system opens. Do not assume that airside Schengen transit will be treated the same way as it is today after ETIAS goes live. If your itinerary is transit-heavy, check the live official ETIAS wording before booking.

How the Bordivo checker handles transit

When you use the Bordivo checker, you can specify a transit stop on your route. The checker will tell you:

• Whether your nationality requires a transit visa for that country
• Whether airside transit is possible for your passport
• Whether the transit is airside or requires passing through border control
• Current ETIAS and ETA status for the transit country