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The ETIAS follows the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (the EES), which was launched on Sunday 12th October 2025. Both are large-scale IT systems, created by the European Commission, with the aim of increasing security across the Schengen area. As British passport holders, we should be aware of them before planning a trip to Europe.
The EES doesn’t require us to do (or purchase) anything pre-trip. However, the ETIAS does have a small cost attached. Also, the ETIAS isn’t a visa. It’s a visa-waiver! Similar to the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), the ETIAS visa-waiver will be the EU’s, travel authorisation.
Europe (the EU and Schengen area) will welcome visitors for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without restrictions on the number of countries you can visit. The ETIAS will primarily be used to authorise entry for visitors who arrive in an EU or Schengen Area country from another nation that isn’t part of the European Union, such as the United Kingdom.
Read on to discover how the ETIAS will affect your travel plans to an EU country and the Schengen Area…
An EU country is one of 30 European countries/states that cover the majority of Europe. Together, they form the European Union.
The Schengen area (from Estonia in the east to Portugal in the west) is border free. It covers 1,664,911 square miles and 30 European countries. Each nation allows the passport-free movement of people. These countries also have a common visa policy, where you can stay in one of the states for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Anyone of any age needs to apply for an ETIAS. This includes British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC), British Overseas Citizens (BOC), British Protected Persons (BPP) or British Subjects (BS).
Overall, the ETIAS will be a requirement for all UK passport holders who wish to travel from the UK to 30 European countries (and the Schengen Area).
Also, individuals with a criminal record must apply as well.
Although the majority British Citizens aren’t a threat to EU security, the EU is introducing this visa-exempt, visa-waiver to strengthen the border security of the Schengen area. The ETIAS system will collect and check your data and security credentials. This will occur before your visit. Whether you’re visiting for business, pleasure, or transit purposes. Over time, the ETIAS will form a central pool of data of all non-Europeans visiting the Schengen area. Also, there will be a fee required to obtain one.
An ETIAS costs nothing if you’re under 18 or over 70. The price of an ETIAS for everyone else will be €20 (to pay for the authorisation process). If you compare the price of other travel documents and visas, this cost is not excessive.
Whatever your age, all British travellers will require one. Each ETIAS will be valid for three years from the date issued to you – or until the date your passport expires. With this in mind, it will be wise to check the expiry date on your passport before going through the ETIAS application process.
Visit the ETIAS official website. Your on-line application should then be approved within minutes of submitting the form.
Your data will be checked, by the following:
• The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)
• Visa Information System (VIS)
• EUROPOL Data Protections and Transparency
• Stolen and Lost Travel Documents
• EU’s asylum fingerprint database (EURODAC)
• The European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS)
• Plus, the ETIAS screening rules and ETIAS watchlist
Although the ETIAS does not go live until autumn 2026, apply for yours before departing for an EU country. If more checks are needed, the process will take 96 hours. So, don’t leave your ETIAS application until the night before!
Bear in mind that the ETIAS will take between three to six months to be phased in, to allow for any system issues to be reconfigured. During this initial roll-out, it will have a lesser impact on our travel around Europe.
If you’re in the process of planning a European holiday, don’t forget to read up on the EES.
Also add an ETIAS to your kit list when travelling around Europe from autumn 2026.
To travel, with confidence choose one of P J Hayman’s Travel Insurance policies.
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