ETIAS: when Europe's visa-waiver scheme starts & what to watch out for
You don’t need it yet, so avoid fake sites
British passport holders will soon need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver when travelling from the UK to 30 European countries. ETIAS is set to come into force towards the end of 2026, although an official timeline has not been outlined by the European Union (EU).
This guide explains what an ETIAS is, how you will be able to get it, what to be wary of and how avoid bogus websites claiming to sell you one.
What is ETIAS?
An ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a visa waiver that will cost €20 per person. It will work like an ESTA (used for entering the US) or an eTA (used for entering Canada) when it comes into force. It is an entry requirement that allows visa-exempt nationals, such as British passport holders, to enter 30 European countries (full list below) for short-term stays, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days within an 180-day period.
It has been designed to improve the security of EU member states within the Schengen region. When it launches, it will capture data on travellers that visit those countries.
Some need to knows...
An ETIAS will cost €20 (£17ish currently), though it'll be free for anyone under the age of 18 and those who are aged 71 and over.
It will last for three years. You will be able to travel on multiple trips during those three years with the same ETIAS. However, if your passport expires within those three years, you will need a new one.
When you first apply for an ETIAS, you will need to state the first country you intend to stay in during your visit. This information is used to process your application. Once you have your ETIAS, you can change your plans and travel to any of the countries listed above.
The EU is planning to introduce ETIAS towards the end of 2026. No firm timeline has been set by the EU – although we will update here when this changes.
The EU’s official website is not taking applications, so any sites claiming to sell you an ETIAS are bogus. You will only be able to apply for an ETIAS via the official website.
Who needs an ETIAS?
When ETIAS launches, travellers from countries like the UK, who don't need a full visa to visit the EU, will need to go through this visa-waiver scheme instead.
If you are a UK passport holder travelling to and from the EU for a short stay and are not also a citizen of (or have residence rights in) an EU or Schengen country, then you will need an ETIAS.
A short stay includes holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days that are taken with a 180-day period.
ETIAS approval won't guarantee you entry
It's important to understand that successfully applying for an ETIAS doesn’t mean you’re automatically allowed to enter one of the 30 European countries. Travellers arriving are still subject to border checks and border guards can still refuse entry to anyone who does not meet entry conditions.
Although this sounds scary, horror stories of being denied entry are extremely rare.
Which countries will it cover?
When ETIAS does come into force, UK passport holders will need to apply (more on this below) for the visa-waiver before travelling to any of the countries listed below:
Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus |
Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France |
Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta |
The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania |
Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
What documents will I need to apply?
When ETIAS does go live, it is likely that you will need to provide the following information:
A travel document, such as a passport, that does not expire in less than three months and is not older than 10 years
Personal information, such as names, date and place of birth, sex, nationality, home address, email address and a phone number
Names of your parents
Education level and current occupation
Details about your intended travel and stay in those 30 European countries (though this is likely to only be about your first country visited. Once you have the ETIAS you can change plans / visit as many times as you like subject to not staying more than 90 days in any 180 day period)
Information about past criminal convictions, travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been the subject of an extradition
Just like with an ESTA, you will need to make sure the details on your ETIAS match that of your passport. If they don’t, you risk invalidating your ETIAS and you might not be able to travel.
According to the EU, most applicants will receive their ETIAS within minutes when it goes live, but the process could take up to 30 days. This is why you should apply well in advance of your travel dates.
You will be able to pay for an ETIAS online using a variety of payment options.
Can I apply for someone else?
Parents/guardians will be able to complete an ETIAS application for their children. The process to apply for an ETIAS for a child is the same as an adult application.
Each person will need their own ETIAS. One family member can apply for numerous ETIAS applications at the same time (eg, for a spouse, parent or child).
It is unlikely that all applications will take the same amount of time to be processed. Don’t worry if they come back at different times.
According to the EU, you can allow a third party to apply for an ETIAS on your behalf. Both you and the third party will need to sign a declaration of representation, which gives the third party the authority to compile and submit an ETIAS on your behalf or on behalf of your child. If you do decide to let a third party submit an ETIAS on your behalf, make sure to keep a copy of all signed documents. It is likely a third party will charge additional fees for completing the application.
When will it launch?
ETIAS does not have a firm launch date. It is set to come into force at the end of 2026. There will also be a transitional period of several months, which will likely allow for delays in applications and any teething issues.
How to avoid fake websites/scam sites
Last year, ABTA – The Travel Association warned that there were more than 60 fake websites already claiming to sell an ETIAS visa waiver.
Director of Communications at ABTA – The Travel Association, Graeme Buck, told us:
“We’ve been making ABTA members aware of the risk of scams around ETIAS and also highlighting this to travellers. In short, if you try to buy one now, it’s a scam. However, once it does go live, using an unofficial site could see you run the risk of being overcharged, not getting an ETIAS at all, and potentially see the theft of personal information.”
When Googling ETIAS, be warned you may be directed to sites that pretend to be the official web page and charge you additional fees. Always use the official ETIAS site.
IMPORTANT: You cannot purchase an ETIAS at present – any website claiming to sell one is bogus. The easiest thing to remember is: use the link in this guide as it's the official route.
A note on the new EU Entry/Exit System
The introduction of ETIAS follows the launch of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
EES launched on 12 October 2025. It is a new electronic system that requires travellers to provide biometric information like fingerprints and facial scans when entering European countries. EES also replaces the need for physical passport stamps because all entries and exits to and will be registered electronically every time you cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.
Understanding ETIAS and what it means is just one thing to think about when heading abroad, for more advice see 60+ overseas travel tips. Additionally, read our travel insurance and travel money guides for more holiday advice.
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