British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area will need to apply in advance for an online permit to visit from November 2025, according to current plans in Brussels.
EU officials have confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” will take effect on 10 November 2024. From that date, every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area must, in theory at least, be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland and Cyprus, which are in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
Six months later after EES takes effect – ie in May 2025 according the latest plan – the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will launch. But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional.
What is Etias?
British travellers and those from all other “third-country visa-free nationals” (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival – and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.
Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme (but cheaper at €7/£6 and valid for longer: three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first).
“UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period),” says the EU.
“Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.” The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland and Cyprus) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When will I need one?
The European Union says: “Starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”
That sounds ominous for British travellers to Europe in summer 2025. But fortunately “required” is not accurate in that statement.
The EU also says: “The launch of Etias in mid-2025 will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should…
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