02 Mar 2023

UK holidaymakers will need an ‘e-visa’ to visit the EU from 2024

The launch of the £6 visa-waiver has been pushed back until next year

British travellers will need a visa-waiver to visit most EU countries from 2024, including Spain, France and Portugal.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (Etias) was due to be introduced in November 2023, but has been postponed. When it launches, UK passport-holders will need a visa-waiver to visit any countries in Europe’s passport-free zone, the Schengen Area.

Holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €7 (around £6) before travelling. The authorisation is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires.

Similar to America’s Esta system, Etias will allow citizens from 63 visa-exempt countries to visit the Schengen Zone with an electronic authorisation rather than a full visa. This includes the UK, which is considered a third country since Brexit.

The scheme was originally due to start in 2021, but the European authorities have so far postponed the scheme’s launch date four times - most recently to 2024.

Brussels is also introducing photo and fingerprint checks. Its new borders initiative - the entry-exit system (EES) - will require non-EU citizens, including British travellers, to provide biometric data whenever they enter or leave the Schengen Zone. Children under 12 will be exempt.

The entry-exit system will replace passport-stamping and is expected to cause delays at busy airports and ports such as Dover, where French officials conduct checks on British soil.

The exact launch dates of both the entry-exit system and Etias have yet to be confirmed. It’s expected that the EES will also be introduced in 2024 and be implemented first.

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Where do I apply for the Etias visa waiver?

It's not currently possible to register for an Etias travel authorisation. Confusingly, there are already a number of non-official websites sharing information about Etias. They may look similar to official government websites, and may offer you the opportunity to sign up for a notification when the scheme begins. But it's always best to get your information straight from the European Union website.

Be wary of third-party sites offering to do the leg-work for you, and remember that the expected fee should be €7.

When does Etias start?

The European Commission expects the scheme to start in 2024. The launch date has yet to be confirmed.

How much will an Etias visa-waiver cost?

It’s expected to cost €7 (around £6) for all travellers between the ages of 18 and 70. Children's travel authorisations will be free.

How will travellers apply for an Etias visa-waiver?

UK passport-holders will have to fill in an online application form via Etias’s official website or app and upload a photo of their passport. The European Commission has promised that the vast majority of travellers will receive their visa waiver within minutes. If further checks are needed, it could take up to 30 days.

How long will it be valid for?

An Etias travel authorisation will be valid for three years, or until the expiry date of your passport. British passport-holders can stay in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You still need a visa for longer stays.

What is the difference between an Etias travel authorisation and a visa?

An Etias travel authorisation is not officially a visa. Its purpose is to allow the EU to keep track of visa-exempt visitors from third countries, which includes UK passport-holders since Brexit. Travellers will not need to go to a consulate to make an application, and no biometric data will be collected.

When the EU's entry-exit system is introduced, what will travellers need to do?

Non-EU travellers, including British passport-holders, will have to provide a facial biometric and be fingerprinted when they enter and leave the Schengen Area. Children under the age of 12 are exempt. The EES is expected to launch in late 2024.

Where will I need an Etias authorisation to travel to?

You'll need the Etias visa-waiver to travel to all Schengen Zone states, plus non-Schengen microstates such as Andorra and Monaco. You'll also need one to visit Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, which are EU member states.

The Schengen Area is a travel zone where you don’t need to show your passport to cross borders. The full list is: