ETIAS for UK citizens
UK citizens will need ETIAS — but not yet. There is nothing to do today.
Officially expected to start operating in the last quarter of 2026. The EU will announce the exact date ahead of launch, and this page will update.
The essentials
- United Kingdom is on the EU's visa-exempt list (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex II): no Schengen visa is needed for short stays.
- Once ETIAS is live, UK citizens will apply online before travelling to 30 European countries — it's an authorisation, not a visa.
- The application will cost €20 and be valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.
- The €20 fee is waived for applicants under 18 or above 70 years of age at the time of application — the authorisation itself is still required (Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, Art. 18(2)).
Worth knowing: Annex II lists the United Kingdom 'excluding British nationals as referred to in Part 3' — British nationals who are not British citizens (BN(O), BOTC, BOC, BPP, BS) are exempt under Part 3 instead.
The 90/180-day rule still applies
ETIAS doesn't change how long you can stay: UK citizens remain limited to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area — and since April 2026 the Entry/Exit System counts your days automatically.
Visa-exemption source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex II (consolidated version of 30 December 2025, CELEX 02018R1806-20251230)
Checked against official sources on 2026-07-13.