When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.
EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed “entry-exit system” would take effect on 10 November 2024.
From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)
But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.
It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026 – some time from October to December.
But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.
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. It will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for 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) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When will I need one?
Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:
- 12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of…
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