Etias visa: UK travellers pay £6 to enter EU from next year - how to apply and who is exempt?

What is an Etias?

The EU rules are part of new border checks being brought in to keep a closer eye on who is moving into the Schengen region – the area of Europe where people can move across borders freely without having their passport checked.

Britons and other non-EU citizens will need the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) to cross into the Schengen, which includes most EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Ireland and Cyprus are exempt from the rules as they are not in the Schengen region. It's worth noting Cyprus is in advanced talks to join the Schengen, as are Bulgaria and Romania.

The passes are similar to the US ESTA and will last three years or until your passport expires.

If your passport expires before the three years, a new Etias will be required.

Etias UK application

The EU claims travellers will be able to apply for an Etias in 10 minutes with 95% of cases being approved within minutes.

However, some could take up to 72 hours, or in exceptional circumstances, up to four weeks.

Travellers will be able to apply for an Etias online or via an app. They will need to input their passport information as well as background information about criminal and medical records.

Once secured the Etias will be authorised for three years or until your passport expires.

The Etias will cost €7 which is about £6.

If your Etias application is refused you will be allowed to appeal. But critics have raised concerns about the lack of transparency over refusals.

Chris Jones of Statewatch, which monitors civil liberties in the EU, told the: "As well as having to hand over all this information, travellers will have to deal with longer waiting times at borders and will face the risk of being flagged as a 'risk' by an algorithm.

"EU officials are currently devising new ‘screening rules’ that will be used to decide who is a security, immigration or health risk.

"These rules will reinforce the existing racist and discriminatory profiling that takes place at borders. It is urgent people know their rights so that they can challenge unjust decisions or treatment."

Etias visa - who is exempt?

Most UK citizens will require an Etias to travel to the EU from summer 2025.

However, only adults aged 18-70 will need to pay the £6 (€7) fee.

The Etias visa waiver will still be required for under 18 and over 70s but they will get it for free.

An Etias will be required for people in the UK visiting European countries within the Schengen region, but not for travel to Ireland or Cyprus which are not in the free movement area. It's worth noting Cyprus is in advanced talks to join the Schengen, as are Bulgaria and Romania.

There are about 60 other countries also requiring the Etias, including the US, Australia, Singapore, UAE and Ukraine.

Which countries require Etias?

The full list of countries requiring the Etias are:

Future Schengen member countries are:

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