Brexit changed a lot for people living in the UK, especially when it comes to travelling. One of these changes involves a type of travel authorisation known as ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Remitly is committed to simplifying the rules around travel, so we’ve created this guide to help you navigate this new requirement for anyone travelling to the European Union (EU). Although the ETIAS is new, it’s not particularly hard to comply with the rules. With a little preparation, you can avoid delays and continue to enjoy easy access to much of Europe.
Let’s take a look at what ETIAS authorisation is, what it means for UK travellers, and how you can follow the rules to make your next European trip easier.
What is ETIAS and why do I need it?
ETIAS is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It’s an electronic system that is being brought in by the EU for travellers who don’t require a visa. This includes Americans, Canadians, Australians, and UK citizens.
ETIAS is not a visa. Instead, it’s a travel authorisation similar to that used in other countries. For example, if you’ve ever travelled to the US, you probably used their Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). ETIAS is just a European version of the same thing.
The UK also has its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which applies to visitors from visa-free countries, including those in Europe. In recent years, electronic travel authorisations have become a common part of travel.
The aim of ETIAS is to make security screening easier and strengthen border security within the EU. Using a centralised electronic database of everyone entering the EU allows authorities to track travellers across multiple jurisdictions.
The EU first started planning ETIAS back in 2016, long before Brexit. Because of the EU rules on freedom of movement, EU citizens don’t need ETIAS authorisation to travel between two EU countries, for example between France and Spain. But because the UK is no longer in the EU, British travellers now need this authorisation before they can take a trip.
Who needs ETIAS authorisation?
Essentially, if you’re travelling to the EU on a UK passport for a short stay, you’ll need ETIAS. As a UK citizen, you’re allowed to stay in the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and this is the kind of stay you’ll need authorisation for.
Here are the different requirements that could apply to your situation:
- Not an EU national: UK travellers and other non-EU citizens must apply, as free movement no longer applies post-Brexit.
- Citizen of a visa-exempt country: Applies to travellers from countries (like the UK, US, Canada, Australia) who can enter the Schengen Area (a border control-free travel area within the EU) without a full visa.
- Short-term stay (up to 90 days within 180 days): Covers tourism, business trips, family visits, and transit within the Schengen Area.
- No residence permit or long-term stay card: Travellers already holding EU-issued residency permits or long-term visas are exempt.
ETIAS applies if you plan to visit any of the following countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
These countries are all inside the Schengen Area, but it’s not only Schengen countries that are affected. You’ll also need ETIAS authorisation to go to:
- Cyprus
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Vatican City
Exceptions
If you hold a long-term EU residence permit, you don’t need ETIAS authorisation. So if you hold a British passport but a French carte de sejour or Spanish long-term resident card, you are exempt.
If you’re planning to stay for more than 90 days out of 180, you’ll need a visa for the specific country you’re going to, in which case ETIAS doesn’t apply.
Although Ireland is a full member of the EU, British passport holders do not need ETIAS authorisation to go to Ireland, as the Republic of Ireland and the UK have a pre-existing freedom of movement agreement.
How to apply for ETIAS: step-by-step guide
Before you begin, you’ll need:
- Your valid biometric passport.
- Email address.
- Debit or credit card.
- Your first country of entry in the Schengen Area, if that’s where you’re travelling.
The application itself:
- Create an account on https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.
- Enter your name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ names, email address, and phone number.
- Enter the details of your passport or other travel documents.
- Fill out the fields on your level of education and occupation.
- Provide the details about your intended travel in any ETIAS country.
- Answer questions about any criminal convictions, past travel to conflict zones, and whether you have been the subject of a decision requiring you to leave any country in the past.
Although it may sound like a bit of a pain, the ETIAS application for UK citizens is quite straightforward and is similar to current immigration forms most countries ask you to fill out.
Most applications are processed almost instantly, but you may have to wait up to 96 hours. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure you get your application in before you travel.
Costs
There is a €20 fee to process your application (this works out as about £17.32 as of September 2025). You can pay by credit or debit card or by bank transfer.
Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 do not have to pay. Family members of EU citizens also do not have to pay.
The cost is comparable to other travel authorisations around the world. For example, the US ESTA is $21 USD, and the UK’s own ETA costs £16.
Validity
The ETIAS is valid for three years, or until the passport it is linked to expires. You can re-enter the EU at any time within those three years, as long as you respect the usual 90-day limit.
Note that time spent on Cyprus does not count toward your 90 days out of 180 that you are allowed to spend in the other countries.
When does ETIAS start and how should you prepare?
The ETIAS system was originally supposed to launch in 2025. However, this deadline has now been pushed back to the last quarter of 2026. Until then, you can travel to the EU without worrying about authorisation.
Once ETIAS is brought in, you’ll be able to apply no more than 90 days before your date of travel. Make sure you apply at least a few days before you go, though, in case there is any problem with your application.
Here’s how to make sure your application goes smoothly:
- Make sure your passport is valid and does not expire for at least three months after your date of travel.
- Have all your information, such as email, phone numbers, and addresses close by when you apply.
- Prepare a travel itinerary so that you can be clear on what countries you plan to visit on what dates.
- Be truthful about any criminal convictions or visa issues you have had in other countries in the past. They won’t necessarily stop you from entering, but they may if you are caught lying.
Travelling with ETIAS: what to expect
The ETIAS system is brand-new, and so it’s normal to have some confusion about how it’s going to work. Here are some things to bear in mind:
- It’s not going to significantly change your experience at European borders. Your ETIAS will be linked to your passport or other travel documents, and border officials will be able to access it instantly online. This means you don’t need to have a physical copy.
- Most of the time, travel authorisation will be issued instantly, or within a few minutes. If not, you may have to wait four days, so you should make sure you start your application before you travel.
- It’s recommended that you apply for your ETIAS before you start booking hotels and flights, especially if they are nonrefundable. For most people, getting authorisation will just be a formality, but if you have a criminal record, you might have a little more trouble.
- Having an ETIAS authorisation does not guarantee you entry. Border officials still make the final call on that, and they may ask you questions about your travels, whether you have an ETIAS or not.
- Being refused an ETIAS does not mean you can’t apply again. So if you make a mistake, don’t worry. You can try again.
- You don’t need ETIAS authorisation if you are just passing through the airport of an EU country. Just make sure you stay in the international transit area.
The ETIAS system is something new to think about when taking a European trip, but it doesn’t have to be a big deal. For most of the millions of UK travellers who visit the EU every year, getting the authorisation will only take a few minutes, and you only have to do it once every three years.
ETIAS authorisation is designed to be quick and affordable, so don’t let it put you off what could be the trip of a lifetime.
FAQ
What happens if my ETIAS application is rejected?
If your ETIAS application is refused, you can appeal the decision. Additionally, if you need to travel to an EU country to attend a funeral, appear in court, or get medical treatment, you can apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity.
Also, being refused an ETIAS authorisation does not influence any application you make in the future, so you can reapply even if you get turned down.
Can I apply for ETIAS with a temporary passport?
Temporary passports are usually only valid for three months or less, and don’t contain the electronic chip required by ETIAS. That means you should replace your temporary passport with a proper passport as soon as possible, as a temporary passport may not be eligible for ETIAS authorisation.
Do I need ETIAS for connecting flights through EU airports?
No. As long as you stay in the international transit area of the airport and do not pass through EU customs, you do not need ETIAS to get a connecting flight in the EU.
What if I have dual citizenship?
Whether you need ETIAS authorisation or not depends on the travel document you are using to enter the EU. If you have dual citizenship with an EU country, you don’t need ETIAS, but you will need to travel on your EU passport.
Permanent residents of EU countries are also exempt from ETIAS authorisation. Immediate family members of EU citizens still need ETIAS authorisation, but they do not have to pay the €20 fee.
Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days with ETIAS?
ETIAS is valid for three years, but it does not give you the right to stay in the EU for more than 90 days out of 180. If you want to stay longer in the EU, you’ll need to apply for a visa in the country where you intend to stay.