ETIAS requirements.

Thanks Brexit!

The EU has confirmed that British citizens will be eligible for ETIAS when it is launched in 2025. This means that UK nationals will not need a visa for short stays in Europe but they will need an ETIAS visa waiver.

As EU citizens, Britons enjoyed freedom of movement across the EU. Freedom of movement has now ended. Although there are no new visa requirements for British citizens travelling to Europe, there are some new rules and regulations to be aware of after Brexit.

British passport holders must meet all the ETIAS requirements for third-country nationals. More information about travelling to Europe after Brexit is provided below.

HOW LONG CAN BRITISH CITIZENS STAY IN EUROPE?

One of the major changes following Brexit is how long British visitors can remain in the Schengen Area without a visa. Now that the UK is outside the EU, British passport holders can stay for a maximum of 90 days per 180-day period. 

UK passport holders can cross an external EU border using just a valid passport and stay anywhere in the Schengen Area for up to 3 months.

To stay in the Schengen Area for longer than 90 days, a visa or another kind of travel permit is required.

DO UK PASSPORT HOLDERS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE?

British passport holders do not need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area short-term after Brexit. The UK has now joined a group of visa-exempt third countries which means that, although the UK is now a thirdnation, its citizens are not subject to visa requirements.

Whilst a visa is not needed for short trips, an ETIAS is. ETIAS is quicker and easier to apply for than a visa for Europe. The ETIAS application process will be fully online with no need to visit an embassy or consulate in person.

ETIAS is not a visa, it is a visa waiver valid for business, tourism, and short-term study. British citizens who wish to enter for other reasons such as to work should check the visa requirements of the specific EU member state. 

ETIAS REQUIRED

Currently, there are 25 European Union countries that form part of the Schengen Area:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

• EU Schengen
• Non-EU Schengen States
• Non-Schengen EU States

ETIAS Required

Non-EU Member States:

• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Switzerland

Micro-States de facto part of Schengen Area:

• Monaco
• San Marino
• Vatican City

ETIAS Required

Non-Schengen EU States

• Cyprus

HOW TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK

From 2025, British passport holders will be able to register before travelling to any of the ETIAS countries. This includes top tourist destinations including Spain, Italy, and France.

To register, UK citizens need to complete the online ETIAS application form.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK

As ETIAS is not a visa, document requirements are minimal. British applicants should have the following to hand before proceeding with their request:

• UK passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the European ETIAS countries
• Credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fees

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE ETIAS APPLICATION FORM FROM THE UK

The online ETIAS application form will take just a few minutes to fill out, requiring only a few details including:

• UK passport details: number, expiry and issue date
• Basic personal information: full name, date of birth, gender
• Contact details: email address is used for all correspondence

WILL BRITISH CITIZENS NEED THE ETIAS FOR IRELAND?

British citizens will not need ETIAS to travel to the Republic of Ireland. 

Although it is an EU member state, Ireland forms the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK. Under the terms of the CTA, UK nationals may travel to the Republic of Ireland freely, without any visa or travel authorisation.

ETIAS WILL MAKE EUROPE SAFER FOR UK VISITORS

ETIAS is being introduced to increase security across the Schengen Area. The new travel authorisation allows EU authorities to pre-screen visitors from visa-exempt countries without compromising their visa-free status.

ETIAS automatically cross-checks applications against information stored in international security databases. Interpol, the Schengen Information System (SIS), and the Visa Information System (VIS) are amongst those consulted. 

DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS WILL BE PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE SCHENGEN AREA

It is expected that most ETIAS applications made by UK nationals will be approved after automatic processing. 

On the rare occasion that there is a hit in one of the databases, the application will go on to be reviewed by the ETIAS central and national units before a decision is reached.

Only travellers considered a current threat to the public will be blocked from entering. UK passport holders with a criminal record should not be deterred from applying for ETIAS. 

ETIAS will protect public health, too. The system screens for high epidemic risk.

TRAVELLING TO EUROPE FROM THE UK WITH ETIAS

On approval, the ETIAS visa waiver is linked to the electronic chip inside the traveller’s passport. The EU visa waiver will be verified when the passport is scanned at the exterior border. 

ETIAS will be a mandatory entry requirement for British nationals travelling to Europe. Anyone arriving from a visa-exempt third country will not be able to cross an external EU border without the travel authorisation.

The ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for 3 yearsand multiple trips to Europe can be made within this period providing the total stay does not exceed 90 days per 180-day period.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR UK TRAVELLERS IN EUROPE AFTER BREXIT

In addition to ETIAS, there are other new rules for visiting Europe after Brexit. UK nationals wishing to visit a Schengen country should make sure they have all the latest information regarding:

RECEIVING HEALTHCARE IN EUROPE AFTER BREXIT

NHS European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) issued before the end of 2020 will remain valid until their expiry date.

After the EHIC expires, a new card called the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will be issued.

The GHIC is free of charge and covers necessary healthcare for chronic or existing illnesses, maternity care, and emergencies.

UK citizens travelling to Europe are advised to take out travel health insurance before going on holiday.

DRIVING IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AFTER BREXIT

Extra documentation is required by some motorists to drive in Europe following Brexit. You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you have a paper licence or a licence issued by Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, of the Isle of Man.

To drive in Europe after Brexit you should check the specific rules with the embassy of the country you plan to visit.

TRAVELLING FROM THE UK TO EUROPE WITH PETS

The old pet passport scheme is no longer valid. A new process is now in place and takes at least 1 month to complete. 

Owners need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for their pets and get the relevant vaccinations.

MOBILE ROAMING CHARGES FOR UK CITIZENS AFTER BREXIT

Guaranteed free mobile roaming for British citizens ended on January 1st, 2021. You should check with their mobile operator to find out how much you may be charged to use your phone abroad.

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ETIAS FOR UK CITIZENS – FAQ

• CAN UK CITIZENS WORK IN EUROPE AFTER BREXIT?UK citizens will be able to work in Europe after Brexit provided they apply for a visa or work permit. British passport holders can stay for a maximum of 90 days per 180 day-period for tourism or business purposes visa-free with ETIAS. They may not enter into paid employment without seeking permission from the EU Member State.
• CAN BRITISH CITIZENS STUDY IN EUROPE WITH AN ETIAS?
• DO I NEED A VISA FOR SPAIN FROM THE UK AFTER BREXIT?
• CAN YOU STAY IN EUROPE FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER BREXIT?
• WHAT ARE THE UK PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLING TO EUROPE AFTER BREXIT?
• WHAT DO UK PASSPORT HOLDERS NEED TO TRAVEL TO GIBRALTAR AFTER BREXIT?