ETIAS FOR UK CITIZENS
EUROPE’S TRAVEL AUTHORISATION FOR BRITISH CITIZENS
This website is not associated with or owned by the EU. The European Union’s official website is europa.eu.
HOW LONG CAN BRITISH CITIZENS STAY IN EUROPE?
The amount of time British travellers may stay in the Schengen Area without a visa is one of the significant changes brought about by Brexit. Because the UK is no longer a member of the EU, British passport holders can only remain for 90 days in each 180-day term.
Passengers with a valid UK passport can cross an external EU border and stay in the Schengen Area for up to three months.
A visa or another type of travel document is necessary to remain in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days.
DO UK PASSPORT HOLDERS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE?
After Brexit, British passport holders will not require a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area. The United Kingdom has now joined a group of visa-exempt third nations, which implies that, while the United Kingdom is now a third-country, its nationals are not required to get a visa.
A visa is not required for short journeys, but an ETIAS is. Fortunately, ETIAS is significantly faster and simpler to get than a visa for Europe. The ETIAS application procedure will be entirely online, with no need to physically visit an embassy or consulate.
ETIAS is a visa waiver that is valid for business, tourist, and transit purposes. British people wishing to enter the EU for other purposes, such as work, should verify the visa requirements of the relevant EU member state.
The EU has stated that when ETIAS is implemented in November 2023, British nationals will be eligible. This implies that after Brexit, UK people will not need a visa for short visits in Europe, but an ETIAS visa waiver will be necessary.
Britons had enjoyed unrestricted mobility throughout the EU as EU citizens. Although there are no new visa requirements for British people visiting Europe after Brexit, there are some new norms and regulations to be aware of.
To apply, British passport holders must fulfil all of the requirement for third-country nationals. More information on the required papers and other qualifying conditions may be found below.
HOW LONG CAN BRITISH CITIZENS STAY IN EUROPE?
The amount of time British travellers may stay in the Schengen Area without a visa is one of the significant changes brought about by Brexit. Because the UK is no longer a member of the EU, British passport holders can only remain for 90 days in each 180-day term.
Passengers with a valid UK passport can cross an external EU border and stay in the Schengen Area for up to three months.
A visa or another type of travel document is necessary to remain in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days.
Currently, there are 22 European countries that form part of the Schengen Area:
- EU Schengen
- Non-EU Schengen States
- Non-Schengen EU States
Non-EU Member States:
Micro-States de facto part of Schengen Area:
Non-Schengen EU States
HOW TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK
British passport holders will be able to register before travelling to any of the ETIAS nations beginning in November 2023. Top tourist locations such as Spain, Italy, and France are included.
To register, UK nationals must fill out the ETIAS application form online.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR ETIAS FROM THE UK
Document requirements are minimal because ETIAS is not a visa. Before starting with their request, British candidates should have the following items on hand:
- Valid UK passport
- 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 just take a few minutes to complete and will only require a few data such as:
- 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?
ETIAS will not be required for British nationals travelling to the Republic of Ireland.
Despite being an EU member, Ireland shares the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom. Under the rules of the CTA, UK citizens are allowed to travel to the Republic of Ireland without a visa or other travel authorization.
ETIAS WILL MAKE EUROPE SAFER FOR UK VISITORS
ETIAS is being used to improve security throughout the Schengen Area. The new travel authorization enables EU authorities to pre-screen visa-exempt travellers without jeopardising their visa-free status.
ETIAS automatically compares applications to data maintained in international security databases. Among those consulted are Interpol, the Schengen Information System (SIS), and the Visa Information System (VIS).
DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS WILL BE PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE SCHENGEN AREA
Most ETIAS applications submitted by UK citizens are likely to be granted at this stage. The ETIAS visa waiver will be issued virtually instantly if nothing is picked up during the automated procedure.
If there is a hit in one of the databases, the application will be investigated by the ETIAS central and national units before a decision is made.
Only visitors who pose a current threat to the public will be denied entry. UK citizens with a criminal background should not be discouraged from applying for ETIAS.
SAFEGUARDING HEALTH
ETIAS will safeguard public health. Individuals harbouring certain dangerous diseases can also be legally prevented from crossing the border, minimising the probability of an outbreak.
All of this implies that, beginning in November 2023, British tourists will be able to visit their favourite foreign sites with more confidence than ever before.
TRAVELLING TO EUROPE FROM UK WITH ETIAS
The ETIAS visa waiver is linked to the electronic chip within the traveller’s passport once approved. When the passport is scanned at the border, the EU visa waiver will be validated.
When ETIAS becomes accessible, UK nationals should keep in mind that it will be an obligatory admission requirement. Without the travel authorization, anybody arriving from a visa-exempt third country will be unable to enter an external EU border.
The ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, and repeated journeys to Europe are permitted throughout that time as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days every 180-day period.
OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR UK TRAVELLERS IN EUROPE AFTER BREXIT
Aside from ETIAS, there are new requirements for visiting Europe following Brexit. UK citizens planning to visit a Schengen country should ensure they have up-to-date information on:
- Passport validity
- Receiving healthcare in Europe
- Driving in European countries
- Mobile roaming charges after Brexit
GIBRALTAR
Following Brexit, Gibraltar has de facto become a member of the Schengen Area, allowing for border-free travel between Gibraltar and Spain. Gibraltar residents will not have to go through passport control while entering Spain.
However, the United Kingdom is not a member of the Schengen Area. This implies that, with the exception of Gibraltarians, UK nationals may require an ETIAS visa waiver to enter Gibraltar beginning in November 2023. Travelers should remain up to date on all the latest changes.
