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ETIAS Information
Travel pre-clearance will be rolled out across the EU and the Schengen Area from 2026
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The next phase of EU digital border controls has been delayed, with no estimation of when they will be launched. Find out more about ETIAS and European travel pre-clearance for when rollout does begin.
The ETIAS pre-clearance system is similar to the ESTA system in the USA and eTA system in Canada, and a system due to be rolled out for travellers entering the UK. It serves to enhance security by checking the details of those wishing to travel to the Schengen Area before they arrive.
All persons travelling under a British passport – or one of the other 50-odd nationalities where short-term entry is permitted into the Schengen Area without a visa – need to complete the ETIAS process. If you hold an EU or Schengen Area passport, or hold a valid EU or Schengen Area visa, you do not need to complete the ETIAS process.
An ETIAS will cost a 20EUR processing fee, although this is waived for those under the age of 18 or over the age of 70, or in some circumstances for family members of an EU or Schengen Area national. ETIASs will be valid for a period of three years from application, provided your passport remains valid during this period; new passport will require a new ETIAS.
ETIAS was due to be rolled out in October 2026, following the successful implementation of EES – continuing operational failures and disruption to the new system has resulted in an indefinite delays to ETIAS rollout.
More information on the ETIAS system is still to be confirmed by ETIAS authorities, including when and how application will be accepted. We have provided this handy FAQ on the ETIAS system to help you understand how to navigate the ETIAS system when it goes live.
All EU nations – except the Republic of Ireland – will require ETIAS pre-clearance, as well as the non-EU Schengen Area countries Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. These are referred to as “ETIAS-required” throughout this page.
The Republic of Ireland maintains its own border policy and, as part of the Common Travel Area, will continue to apply an open border policy with passport holders from the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
All travellers who are eligible to enter ETIAS-required states without a visa for short stays will need ETIAS pre-clearance. This includes citizens of the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as 54 other eligible nations.
Citizens of the EU and Schengen Area do not require ETIAS pre-clearance to enter ETIAS-required states – this includes citizens of the Republic of Ireland.
No, an ETIAS is only required if you are travelling under a non-Schengen Area or non-EU passport for the purposes of short visits.
Similarly, if you hold a visa for ETIAS-required states, ETIAS is not required, providing you are also following the rules stipulated by your visa.
Please note, for UK passport holders with “Pre-Settled Status” or other residency permits for the EU, dedicated paperwork will be required – please see Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice for your country of residence for more information.
Yes, spouses and dependent relatives of Schengen Area (which now includes Bulgaria and Romania) or Cypriot nationals still require ETIAS clearance.
In some instances, the 20€ application fee and some elements of the security check may be waived if you are intending to visit an immediate relative who resides in an ETIAS member state. Note that these checks and fees will be waived only for entry to the member state in which the relative resides; a new ETIAS must be completed if visiting other member states.
This can be confusing; for more information please see here.
Rollout of ETIAS has been suspended indefinitely due to ongoing failures with the rollout of EES, the new digital border processing system launched by the EU in October 2025. It is therefore not expected to impact the 2026/27 winter season.
The ETIAS administration states that ETIAS will normally be approved instantly. However, they recommend completing the process no later than 96hrs before you intend to travel.
More complex situations, whilst extremely rare, may take up to 30 days to process.
Rollout of ETIAS has been suspended indefinitely due to ongoing failures with the rollout of EES, the new digital border processing system launched by the EU in October 2025. It is therefore not expected to impact the 2026/27 winter season.
If you are remaining airside at your transiting airport, you will not require an ETIAS.
If, however, you intend to or must pass border control at your transiting airport, you will require an ETIAS.
An ETIAS will cost a 20€ processing fee.
These fees are waived for travellers under the age of 18 or over the age of 70, as well as in some circumstances for relatives of EU or Schengen Area nationals.
All eligible travellers require ETIAS pre-clearance, regardless of age.
The 20€ processing fee is waived for travellers under the age of 18 or over the age of 70, as well as in some circumstances for relatives of EU or Schengen Area nationals who reside in an EITAS member state.
Your ETIAS pre-clearance is valid for three years once approved.
Note that if you get a new passport during this three-year period, you will need to re-apply for an ETIAS as this will not be updated with your new passport details.
No, ETIAS pre-clearance is not a visa and therefore does not waive restrictions on the number of days you can spend in the Schengen Area.
No, ETIAS pre-clearance is completely digital and therefore you do not need to send your passport off for processing.
No, ETIAS pre-clearance is completely digital and therefore you do not need to carry any additional paperwork nor attach any documents to your passport, when entering the Schengen Area.
Summary
Be prepared when travelling to the EU and Schengen Area from 2024:
- ETIAS pre-clearance is required by any non-EU/non-Schengen Area passport/visa holder who an temporarily access this area without a visa
- Citizens of the Republic of Ireland do not require ETIAS pre-clearance; nor is ETIAS pre-clearance required to travel to the Republic
- You should apply for ETIAS pre-clearance at least 96hrs before you travel
- ETIAS pre-clearance is valid for three years, unless you change your passport; new passport means new ETIAS pre-clearance is required
- ETIAS pre-clearance costs 7EUR, although this is waived for children, elderly people, and those with direct relatives from the EU and Schengen Area (in some circumstances).
- ETIAS pre-clearance is due to be rolled out from 2026, but when and how this will take place is still unknown
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