What is ETIAS and how does it work?

ETIAS - the European Travel Information and Authorisation System - is a new digital travel authorisation that UK travellers will need before visiting most European countries.

ETIAS isn’t a visa. It's an online system that lets EU border authorities check travellers from visa-exempt countries before they arrive in Europe, rather than at the border itself. If you’ve travelled to The United States before, it’s like the EU's version of the US ESTA system. You complete a short online application, pay a small fee, and a digital approval is then linked to your passport.

Once approved, your ETIAS authorisation is valid for up to three years - or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple trips and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the 30 participating European countries.

But importantly: you do not need ETIAS right now. Read on for more on that.

ETIAS is required for travellers from visa-exempt countries - which includes UK passport holders.

Since the UK left the EU, UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals under EU travel rules. That means British travellers no longer have the same entry privileges as EU citizens, and will need to use ETIAS to visit Schengen Area countries and Cyprus for short stays. EU passport holders don’t need ETIAS.

ETIAS applies to anyone visiting for tourism, business, medical appointments or transit purposes. It does not grant the right to work or study in Europe - those require a separate national visa or permit.

Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the €20 application fee, though they still need to apply for and hold a valid ETIAS authorisation.

ETIAS isn’t used in all European countries, it covers the 29 countries that make up the Schengen Area plus Cyprus:

Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Non-participating countries: Ireland is an EU member but won’t use ETIAS.

No - you do not need ETIAS today. As of April 2026, ETIAS is not yet in operation.

Here is the expected timeline:

This means UK travellers can continue visiting Europe with just their passport throughout 2026. If your trip is planned for late 2026, keep an eye out for official announcements - though there’s currently nothing to apply for, and no action needed.

Why has it been delayed? ETIAS will use the EU's new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals at Schengen borders. EES began full operation in April 2026 - ETIAS will follow once that system is fully tested.

You apply online, pay a fee, and receive a digital authorisation linked to your passport – usually within minutes.

The ETIAS application process, once live, will be:

1. Apply online on the official EU website or ETIAS mobile app - these are the only ways to apply.

2. Fill in the form with your personal details, passport information, travel plans, and answer some security questions.

3. Pay the fee - this has been confirmed at €20 for most travellers aged 18-70 (those under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee but must still apply).

4. Receive your authorisation - most decisions will be issued within minutes, though some applications may take longer if additional checks are needed.

5. Travel - your ETIAS is electronically linked to your passport and checked automatically at EU borders.

A biometric passport (with a chip) is required. If you're not sure whether yours is biometric, look for the small rectangular symbol with a circle on the front cover.

ETIAS is not a visa. It's a pre-entry check for people who already have visa-free access to Europe.

A Schengen visa is required by travellers from countries that don't have visa-free access to the EU - and involves a longer, more complex application process. UK citizens can enter Europe without a visa and will continue to do so. ETIAS simply adds a pre-screening step before you travel.

Be warned that fake ETIAS application websites are already targeting UK travellers and the system isn't even live yet.

Because of widespread interest in ETIAS, websites have started to appear online claiming to process ETIAS applications. Some charge fees for a service that doesn't exist yet, and won't exist on their platform when it does. These are scams.

How to protect yourself:

If you have already paid for an ETIAS "application" through an unofficial site, contact your bank or card provider immediately to report potential fraud.

What is ETIAS? ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a new mandatory travel authorisation scheme for visa-exempt visitors to Europe, including UK citizens. It's not a visa – it's an online security check linked to your passport, valid for up to 3 years.

Do UK citizens need ETIAS? Yes, ETIAS will be required for UK citizens from 2027 onwards. UK passport holders currently enter Europe without a visa. ETIAS simply adds a short pre–screening step to that process.

When will ETIAS start? ETIAS is expected to launch in October–December 2026, but it won't be mandatory until around April 2027 after a testing period. You do not need to apply now - applications aren’t yet open.

What are the ETIAS requirements? You'll need a valid biometric passport, your personal/travel details, and need to answer some security questions. The fee is €20 for most adults aged 18-70. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee but still need to apply.

What countries require ETIAS? ETIAS covers 30 countries, including all Schengen Area members and Cyprus. Popular holiday destinations using ETIAS include Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Croatia.

How does the ETIAS application process work? Once live, you’ll apply online at the official EU website, complete a short form, pay the fee, and receive a digital authorisation linked to your passport - usually within minutes.

Is ETIAS the same as a Schengen visa? No. ETIAS is for travellers who already have visa-free access to Europe (such as UK citizens). A Schengen visa is required by travellers from countries without visa-free access, involves a more complex application, and costs more.

Can I get scammed applying for ETIAS? Yes - fraudulent websites are already operating. Only apply through the official EU website at travel–europe.europa.eu/etias when applications open. Never pay a third-party agent, and be cautious of paid ads in search results.

Does ETIAS replace travel insurance? No. ETIAS is purely an entry authorisation system and offers no financial protection. It won't cover medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, lost baggage or any other travel mishap.

If border delays or processing issues cause you to miss a flight or connection, having the right travel insurance means you’re covered.

It’s worth considering arranging your travel insurance in advance to ensure you have appropriate cover in place and to help you plan ahead and manage potential unexpected costs while travelling.

ETIAS has seen delays and changes since it was first announced, so it's important to check for the latest information before you travel.

For the most reliable info, check UK Government travel advice and the EU official travel information site.

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.