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ETIAS for UK travellers: what it is, when it starts, what it costs and how to apply

Last checked 15 Oct 2026 against the official EU ETIAS website and GOV.UK. The start date is not yet confirmed.

ETIAS is the EU's new online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, and UK passport holders are on the list. It is not running yet, you cannot apply for it today, and the exact start date has not been announced. This guide sets out what the EU and GOV.UK have said so far, in plain terms, and will be updated when the date is named.

What is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries. It is linked to your passport. The EU describes it as similar to the UK's own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It is not a visa. Source: ETIAS: what is ETIAS and ETIAS: UK nationals and ETIAS.

When does ETIAS start?

The exact date is not yet confirmed. The official ETIAS website states that ETIAS is currently not in operation, no applications are being collected, and the EU will announce the specific date several months before launch. On 15 April 2026 the EU said UK nationals will be required to have an ETIAS from the last quarter of this year. GOV.UK says the EU is expected to start ETIAS from autumn 2026. Sources: official ETIAS website, EU news: UK nationals and ETIAS and GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System.

Who needs ETIAS?

Nationals of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, will need ETIAS to visit any of the 30 countries for a short stay. The countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, 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. Ireland is not on the list. Source: ETIAS: who should apply.

British citizens who are beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and hold a residence document issued in the uniform format by a country requiring ETIAS are exempt. Residence documents issued by Ireland do not exempt you, and documents issued by Cyprus only exempt you when travelling to Cyprus. Source: EU news: UK nationals and ETIAS.

How much does ETIAS cost?

The application fee is EUR 20 (€20). Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee, as are certain family members of EU nationals. Source: ETIAS: what you need to apply.

How long is ETIAS valid?

An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for up to three years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport you need a new ETIAS. It lets you enter as often as you like for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but it does not guarantee entry: a border guard still checks that you meet the entry conditions. Source: ETIAS: what is ETIAS.

How to apply for ETIAS

Applications are not open yet. When they are, the EU says you apply online on the official ETIAS website or in the official ETIAS mobile app, with your passport and a payment card to hand. The passport must not expire in less than three months and must not be older than 10 years. The form asks for:

personal details: name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents' first names, email address and phone number
passport details
your level of education and current occupation
details of your intended travel and stay
questions about criminal convictions, past travel to war or conflict zones and any decision requiring you to leave a country

Most applications are processed within minutes. Some take longer: a decision within four days, extended by up to 14 days if more information is requested or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. The EU advises applying well in advance. You will receive an email with your application number and a second email with the outcome, and you should check that your name and passport number on the authorisation are correct. Sources: ETIAS: what you need to apply and ETIAS: what is ETIAS.

ETIAS scam websites: how to avoid them

Because ETIAS is not open yet, GOV.UK says any website selling ETIAS now is doing so fraudulently, and you should only apply on the official EU website when you are able to. Once it opens, the EU warns about commercial intermediaries that mislead people into thinking their site is the official channel, charge an extra fee as if it were part of the process, charge unreasonably high prices, misuse personal or payment data, or fail to submit the application properly. The official site is travel-europe.europa.eu. Sources: GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System and ETIAS: report abuse.

Families and children

Each person needs their own ETIAS, including children. An application for someone under 18 must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian, and the fee does not apply to applicants under 18. If you travel by car, each person in the car, including children, must have an individual ETIAS. Sources: ETIAS: what you need to apply and ETIAS: travelling to Europe by land.

Where will ETIAS be checked from the UK?

Plane or cruise: your authorisation is checked before you are allowed to board.
Eurostar from London St Pancras: border guards at the station check your ETIAS before you board, as they do for trains departing from the UK.
Ferry from Dover: border authorities check that you hold a valid authorisation before you board the ferry.
Car: checked by the border guard at the border crossing, for every person in the vehicle.

Sources: ETIAS: UK nationals and ETIAS and ETIAS: travelling to Europe by land. ETIAS is separate from the EU Entry/Exit System, which is already running: see our guide to EES border checks at Dover, St Pancras and UK airports.

Before you travel: three things worth packing

ETIAS is an online form, but the journey it unlocks still needs the usual kit. While you wait for the start date, these are the three things we would pack first.

GO PAC Travel Plug Adapter, £14.99, with two USB ports.
GO PAC Memory Foam Travel Pillow, £14.99, for the flight, train or coach once the checks are done.
Personalised Name Water Bottle, £24.99, a 500ml steel bottle with your name printed on it.

Free UK delivery on every order. Personalised items are made to order, so they cannot be returned unless they arrive faulty or damaged. See shipping and returns.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need an ETIAS?

Yes, once ETIAS starts. The EU says UK nationals will need an ETIAS travel authorisation for short stays in 30 European countries from the last quarter of 2026. It is not in operation yet, so nobody can apply for one today.

When does ETIAS start?

The exact date is not yet confirmed. The EU says it will announce the specific start date several months before launch, and GOV.UK says the EU is expected to start ETIAS from autumn 2026. The announcement will appear on the official EU site, travel-europe.europa.eu.

How much does ETIAS cost?

The application fee is EUR 20 (€20). Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.

How long is an ETIAS valid for?

An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for up to three years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and does not guarantee entry.

How do I apply for ETIAS?

Once applications open, you apply on the official ETIAS website or in the official ETIAS mobile app. You need a valid passport and a payment card. The application asks for personal details, passport details, education and occupation, travel plans and some security questions.

How long does an ETIAS application take?

The EU says most applications are processed within minutes. Some take longer: a decision within four days, extended by up to 14 days if more information is requested or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. Apply well before you travel.

Do children need an ETIAS?

Yes. Each person travelling needs their own ETIAS, including children. An application for someone under 18 must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian, and there is no fee for applicants under 18.

Where will my ETIAS be checked from the UK?

The EU says it will be checked before you board a plane or cruise to Europe, by border guards before boarding trains departing from the UK such as Eurostar from St Pancras, and by border authorities at Dover before boarding a ferry. If you drive into a country that requires ETIAS, it is checked at the border and every person in the car needs their own.

How do I avoid ETIAS scam websites?

ETIAS is not open for applications, so any site selling ETIAS now is doing so fraudulently, according to GOV.UK. When it opens, apply only on the official EU website, travel-europe.europa.eu. The EU warns about commercial intermediaries that pose as the official channel, charge unreasonable fees or misuse personal data.

Is Ireland covered by ETIAS?

No. Ireland is not on the EU's list of 30 countries that require ETIAS. Cyprus is on the list, and the days you spend in Cyprus are counted separately from the 90 days in the other countries.

Are British people living in the EU exempt?

Beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement who hold a residence document issued in the uniform format by a country requiring ETIAS are exempt. Documents issued by Ireland do not exempt you, and documents issued by Cyprus only exempt you for travel to Cyprus.

Official sources used

This guide summarises official information for UK travellers and is not legal or immigration advice. GO PAC is a travel accessories shop and is not affiliated with the EU. We do not process ETIAS applications.