Do British citizens need ETIAS today?

No. ETIAS applications are not open yet, so no traveller can buy an official ETIAS authorisation today.

Will British passport holders need ETIAS after launch?

Yes, for ordinary short-stay visa-free travel to participating Schengen countries, British passport holders should expect to need ETIAS after it launches.

How much will ETIAS cost?

The official EU fee is EUR 20 per application, with fee exemptions for applicants under 18 or over 70 at the time of application.

ETIAS readiness

ETIAS for British citizens

A dated, official-source readiness page for British passport holders who travel visa-free to the Schengen area. ETIAS is not open yet; this page explains what changes at launch.

Updated 2 Jul 2026

Current status

No official ETIAS application is open yet. The EU timeline says ETIAS is expected after EES, in the last quarter of 2026. Until launch, British citizens travelling visa-free to Schengen countries do not need to buy ETIAS, and any site charging for an ETIAS today is not the official EU application channel.

Who this affects

British citizens who can currently enter Schengen visa-free for short stays.

What changes

ETIAS adds an online pre-travel authorisation before the trip. It is not a Schengen visa.

Official fee

EUR 20 from the official EU channel, with under-18 and over-70 fee exemptions.

Current verified Schengen corridors

These pages show the current visa-free rule for British citizens before ETIAS launches. The ETIAS step is separate from the 90/180-day short-stay limit.

British → Germany Visa-free

Checked 2 Jul 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.
British → France Visa-free

Checked 24 Jun 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.
British → Spain Visa-free

Checked 24 Jun 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.
British → Italy Visa-free

Checked 24 Jun 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.
British → Netherlands Visa-free

Checked 24 Jun 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.
British → Austria Visa-free

Checked 24 Jun 2026; current stay signal: 90/180 days.

Official links only

When ETIAS opens, start from the EU site, not from a paid reseller. TravelVisaRules does not sell ETIAS, does not collect applications and does not charge a service fee.

EU ETIAS official site (opens in a new tab) ETIAS explained ETIAS and EES timeline

Disclaimer. Visa and entry requirements change frequently and without notice and may depend on your specific circumstances (nationality, passport type, purpose and length of stay, residence in other countries, onward route and current diplomatic situation). The information here is for general guidance only, may be out of date, and is not legal, immigration, or travel advice. All cost, duration, and popularity figures are estimates. Always confirm the exact, current requirements with the official source for the destination country — its embassy, consulate, immigration service, or official e-visa portal (linked where available) — and with your airline before booking or travelling. We do not guarantee accuracy or completeness and accept no liability for any loss, denied boarding, refused entry, or other consequences. Last-verified dates are shown for each record; a record without a recent verification date should be treated as unconfirmed.