British citizens must apply for the electronic travel authorization ETIAS soon if they want to visit the EU and Schengen Area. Learn about ETIAS requirements and which destinations will be affected.
As the UK is one of the visa-waiver countries, British citizens can travel to the EU and Schengen Area for tourism, short business trips, medical treatments, or transit without a visa for up to 90 days.
However, visa-free travel to EU and Schengen countries like Germany, France, and Italy will soon require an extra step: 2025 is the start date for the new ETIAS electronic travel authorization. From then on, every visa-waived traveler must apply for an ETIAS approval before entering one of the EU and Schengen countries.
In contrast to the Schengen visa, the ETIAS travel authorization is affordable and easy to get. ETIAS is not a visa, and hence, it must not be processed through the embassies.
All differences between ETIAS and a Schengen visa at a glance:
| ETIAS | Schengen visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Online | Embassy or consulate |
| Required documents | Passport | Passport and supporting evidence |
| Duration of stay | 90 days | Depending on visa |
| Purpose | Tourism, business, medical travel | Depending on visa |
| Number of entries | Unlimited | Depending on visa |
| Validity | 3 years (or until the validity of your passport is ending) | Depending on visa |
| Cost | € 7 | € 80 |
| Wait time | Max. 96 hours | Up to 60 days |
In the future, British citizens will be allowed to use either ETIAS or a visa to travel to the EU or the Schengen Area. However, some European states are not participating in the ETIAS program and still require a visa from the embassies and consulates. Make sure to check the list of participating ETIAS countries before traveling.
For British citizens traveling to the EU and Schengen Area, ETIAS will be much faster, easier, and more affordable than a visa. Even though it was simpler to travel without a visa before, British travelers will benefit from ETIAS as the new system will increase travel security for everyone.
ETIAS is following the USA’s example of ESTA, which has been in place to improve US homeland security since 2008. The system is designed to combat identity fraud, misuse of travel documents, terrorism, and serious crime.
In addition to your British nationality, there are more criteria to fulfill before you can travel to the EU and Schengen Area with ETIAS. British citizens must meet the following ETIAS requirements:
The ETIAS security questions will ask for details on your criminal records, travel history, and travel intentions.
With your approved ETIAS travel authorization, you can travel to the following countries within the EU and Schengen Area:
| ETIAS: participating countries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra1 | Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Estonia | Finland | France | Germany |
| Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Malta | Monaco1 | Netherlands | Norway |
| Poland | Portugal | Romania | San Marino1 |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Vatican City1 | ||
1ETIAS is required for transit through the Schengen countries to get to these microstates.
The EU will soon launch the ETIAS website and mobile app where British citizens can complete the application within minutes. Applicants will have to enter the following information:
After submission, your data will be checked automatically. The ETIAS approval will normally arrive within minutes or - at the latest - after 96 hours.