Under current plans in Brussels, Britons travelling to the European Union and the wider Schengen Area will need to apply for permission to visit online in advance from November 2025.
EU officials have confirmed that the much-delayed “entry-exit system” will come into force on November 10, 2024. From then on, every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area will, in theory at least, have to be fingerprinted and provide facial biometric data. (This requirement will not apply to UK visitors to Ireland and Cyprus, which are in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
Six months after the entry into force of the EES, that is, in May 2025 according to the latest plan, the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias) will be launched.
What is Etias?
British travellers and all other “third country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chooses to be after Brexit) will need to provide advance information so border officials know more about them on arrival and can identify those the EU wants to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening border controls, is similar to the US Esta system (but cheaper at €7/£6 and valid for longer: three years or three months before the passport expires, whichever comes first).
“British citizens must have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any European country where Etias requires a short-term stay (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 travelling to the Schengen area.”
When will I need it?
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 permit to enter most European countries.”
This seems like an ominous situation for British travellers heading to Europe in the summer of 2025. But fortunately, the word “necessary” in this statement is not correct.
The EU also says: “There will be a transition period of at least six months following the launch of Etias in mid-2025. This means that passengers wishing to travel during this period will need to apply now for an Etias travel authorisation, but those without an authorisation will not be refused entry as long as they meet all remaining entry conditions.”
Therefore, visitors planning to travel to the UK will no longer be required to apply online for permission to enter the Schengen Area until November 2025 at the earliest.
How do I make my application?
At the heart of the system is an Etias website and an app that can be tracked (currently all apps masquerading as official EU Etias apps are fake).
Travelers will need to provide personal information such as name, address, European contact details and passport details. They will also need to state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must provide the name of their educational institution.
The applicant must provide details of whether they have had any serious convictions in the last 20 years.
Travelers also need to state the reason for their travel (holiday, business, family visit, etc.), state the first Schengen Area country they will arrive in, and provide the address of where they will stay the first night; this will be a problem for tourists who like to plan their trip.
The fee is €7 (£6) for all applicants aged between 18 and 70. Those under 18 and over 70 still need to apply for and have an Etias, but do not have to pay.
What happens to the information?
Each application will be checked against a “special Etias watch list” as well as EU and relevant Interpol databases.
The system will be set up to identify individuals suspected of involvement in crimes such as terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, human trafficking, trafficking in endangered species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.
Do I have the chance to appeal in case of mistaken identity?
Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above crimes, but have actually lived a blameless life, you will be allowed to defend your case. Details of how to appeal will be included in the denial notice.
How far in advance should I submit my application?
In most cases, Etias aims to be approved within minutes, but even a simple application can take up to four days.
If an application is flagged (i.e. has a “hold” in one of the databases) the potential visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, according to the EU, the applicant may be asked to “attend an interview with the national authorities, which may take an additional 30 days”.
The European Union says, “We strongly recommend that you obtain an Etias travel permit before purchasing your tickets and making your hotel reservations.”
If I buy an Etias do I need to print anything?
No. Border guards will take all the information they need from your passport, which you used to apply for your Etias.
Is Etias a visa?
The answer to this common question depends on your semantic interpretation. Officially, it’s the opposite of a visa. Europe says Etias is a “pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt travellers.” It’s a similar concept to the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are technically non-visa.
However, Etias requests the following from visitors:
Therefore, I think this corresponds to a normal person’s understanding of visa.
If I have Etias, will I be guaranteed entry to the Schengen Area?
No. The EU says, “Simply having a travel permit does not automatically grant entry.” As in the US, travelers can be turned away for any reason and an Etias permit can be revoked.
Do I need to apply for Etias every time I travel to Europe?
No. The permit will be valid for three years or three months before your passport expires, whichever is sooner. (Also note that British passports must not be older than 10 years on entry to the European Union.)
Will I need Etias to travel to Ireland?
No. The Common Travel Area, which includes the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, is beyond European Union rules and in any case Ireland is not in the Schengen area.
Do I need to get an Etias if I have a long-term residence permit from an EU country?
NO.
How can those who do not have internet access apply?
As with US Esta and similar programs, a friend, family member or travel agent will be expected to submit the application on their behalf.
Can you remind us of the 90/180 day rule?
This rule, which the UK is seeking to implement after leaving the European Union, means British travellers cannot stay for more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
To give an example of what it means: If you spend the first 90 days of 2025 (almost all of January, February and March) in the Schengen area, you will not be able to return until the end of June.
Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?
No. Work to strengthen the European Union’s external border was already underway before the UK’s membership referendum in June 2016. Initially, British authorities joined in with plans for an entry-exit system.
If the UK were still in the EU, neither the EES nor Etias would matter. But the country voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classed as third-country nationals – leading to extra red tape.
Will Etias be the next online scam?
Yes. As with other online travel permits, the use of commercial intermediaries is permitted.
But according to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency which enforces Etias, there are many scam sites that are likely to charge fees well above the basic €7 (£6).
Any site other than Europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted.
A “fraudulent” site claims to have processed 671 applications so far, but this is impossible as no applications are being processed anywhere.
Another site offers a 40% discount for early bird applications. Some use the EU logo which is illegal.
Frontex also warns of the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to fake sites.