ETIAS Visa waiver for UK citizens
Learn more about the EU and ETIAS travel authorization
Get notified when ETIAS is mandatory
Start ETIAS Application online
Receive ETIAS confirmation
Welcome to Europe
ETIAS Travel Authorization for the United Kingdom nationals
ETIAS will be available and a mandatory European travel requirement for British citizens when it launches at the end of 2025. Even though the UK will not require a visa to travel to Europe for short periods after Brexit, they will need an ETIAS visa waiver. Britons were EU citizens and enjoyed the freedom of movement throughout the European Union. Despite Brexit, the EU does not intend to change any requirements
for visa-free traveling from UK to Europe. However, some new rules and regulations must be complied with after Brexit.
British passport holders must comply with all ETIAS requirements applicable to third-country nationals to travel to Europe. Below are more details about eligibility requirements and the documents required.
ETIAS and safety
One of the main purposes of designing ETIAS was to increase security across the Schengen Area. The new travel authorization allows EU authorities to pre-screen and check visitors from eligible countries without taking their visa-free status.
The system will automatically cross-check applications against information stored in international security databases. The system will prevent dangerous individuals from entering the Schengen Area. ETIAS will consult Interpol, the Schengen Information System (SIS), and the Visa Information System (VIS).
It is furthermore expected that most UK ETIAS applications will be approved. Given that nothing is flagged up during the automatic process, the applicants will be getting an ETIAS visa waiver almost immediately.
However, there is a hit in one of the databases; the ETIAS central and national units will review the application before a decision is reached.
Only travelers considered the system would block a current threat to the public from entering. The visa waiver should not deter UK passport holders with a criminal record for minor offenses from applying for ETIAS.
Safeguarding health ETIAS will also be actively protecting public health. For example, individuals carrying certain contagious diseases can also be stopped from crossing the border legally, reducing the likelihood of an epidemic. Even though at the moment, ETIAS does not include anything about Covid-19, most likely, the travel authorization application will consist of a few questions or even vaccination information.
Get notified when ETIAS becomes mandatory
Short-term travel to Europe
One of the significant changes following Brexit is British visitors’ length of time in the Schengen Area without a visa. After leaving the European Union, British passport holders can remain in European countries for 90 days at a maximum per 180- day period. UK citizens can cross an external EU border using a valid passport and stay in any Schengen country for up to 3 months. A visa or travel permit is required to stay in the Schengen Area for longer than 90 days.
ETIAS required
These countries will require an ETIAS visa waiver upon their arrival on their territory.
Austria- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- Romania
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican
Traveling to Europe from the UK with ETIAS
Once approved, the ETIAS visa waiver will be linked to the electronic chip inside the traveler’s passport. The EU visa waiver’s validity will be verified when the passport is scanned at the exterior border.
UK citizens should remember that ETIAS will be a mandatory entry requirement when the program launches. Anyone arriving from a visa-exempt third country cannot cross an external EU border without travel authorization.
The ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years. Travelers can make multiple trips to Europe within this period providing the total stay does not exceed 90 days per 180-day period.
Post-Bexit entry requirements to Europe
New rules apply to non-European citizens who want to visit Europe after Brexit. UK citizens who wish to travel to Schengen countries should ensure they have the most recent information regarding the following:
• Validity of their passports
• Healthcare and insurance policies in Europe
• Driving rules and laws in European Countries
• Mobile roaming fees
Gibraltar
After Brexit, Gibraltar became a part of the Schengen Area. This means that Gibraltar citizens can still travel without any restrictions. Passport control will not be required for citizens of Gibraltar to enter other Schengen countries.
The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area. The UK may require an ETIAS visa waiver to enter Gibraltar after 2025, except for Gibraltarians. It is essential to keep up-to-date with the latest developments for travelers.
ETIAS Application for UK Citizens
From 2025, British passport holders will have to go through ETIAS application procedure before visiting any ETIAS country. This includes top tourist destinations such as Spain, Italy, and France. To write, UK citizens need to complete the online ETIAS application form.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS for traveling to Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is the only exception to the ETIAS as an entry requirement for British visitors.
Although Ireland is an EU member state, it is also part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the CTA, UK citizens may travel to the Republic of Ireland freely, without any visa or travel authorization.
Visa Requirements for UK Citizens traveling to Europe
As of now, United Kingdom nationals do not require a visa to visit Europe or Schengen member states for less than 90 days. However, after Brexit, the UK is now one of the visa-exempt third countries to Europe. Although the UK is now the third nation, its citizens are not subject to visa requirements.
While a visa is not needed for less than 90 days of travel, an ETIAS visa waiver is. But the good news is that the ETIAS is much quicker and easier to apply for than a visa for Europe. One of the benefits of ETIAS online application is that applicants do not need to visit an embassy or consulate in person.
ETIAS is valid for multiple travel purposes, including business, tourism, medical, and transit. British passport holders who wish to enter for other reasons, for studying or working in the EU, need to check the visa requirements of the specific EU member state.
