Eligibility of ETIAS

  • The ETIAS will have the United Kingdom as one of its initial members.
  • Citizens of the United Kingdom will be able to apply for ETIAS in 2025.
  • The online application system for ETIAS will be beneficial for British citizens.

Other Requirements for ETIAS

  • Applying for ETIAS can be done online by British citizens.
  • Arrival to Europe by air, sea or overland is covered by ETIAS.
  • An machine readable e-passport is a mandatory for travelers.
  • Short visits for general travel, ecommerce, transit and medical purposes are covered by ETIAS.
  • ETIAS will be free of charge for applicants over the age of 70 or under the age of 18.

British citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS, also known as European Travel Information and Authorisation System, if they plan to enter any of the participating European countries on a short-term basis. This means that they will need to apply for ETIAS if they plan to stay in any of these countries for less than 90 days, regardless of the purpose of their visit. 

The ETIAS program is set to come into effect in 2025 and will apply to travellers arriving from certain countries, including the United Kingdom. The main purpose of this program is to screen tourists arriving from abroad for potential security risks, in response to increase in terrorist activities. The program will require travellers to complete an online application, providing personal and biographical information, as well as answering security-related questions. 

The information provided will be checked against various databases to determine whether the traveller poses any security risks. If the traveller is deemed to be low-risk, they will be issued an ETIAS, which will be valid for a period of three years or until the expiration of their passport, whichever comes first. 

The ETIAS program was approved in 2016 as a response to the global increase in terrorist activities, and it was decided that this program will be required for travelers arriving from certain countries, including the United Kingdom. However, the program was not immediately implemented, as it required four years to develop the required systems and tie them in with existing immigration systems and other security data to provide a new screening tool across all the member European countries.

In 2025, British citizens will be asked to complete their ETIAS visa waiver application prior to boarding a plane, ship, or coach for Europe. This applies to all travellers, including those who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations. The online application process will require the traveller to provide personal and biographical information, as well as answer security-related questions. The information provided will be checked against various databases to determine whether the traveller poses any security risks. If the traveller is deemed to be low-risk, they will be issued an ETIAS.

It is recommended that British citizens complete their visa waiver application at least 4 days before their planned departure date in order to ensure that their ETIAS is approved in time for their trip. The ETIAS application process is fully online and designed to be simple, fast and efficient, however, it is important to have all the necessary information and documentation ready before starting the application in order to prevent delays or the risk of an ETIAS being declined.

The ETIAS website (https://etias.co.uk/) provides detailed information on the ETIAS requirements, including the documents and information needed to complete the application. This includes proof of identity, such as a valid passport, as well as information about the traveller’s intended itinerary, contact details, and any previous travel history. Additionally, the website also provides a FAQ section that addresses common questions and concerns regarding the ETIAS application process.

It is highly recommended to review the ETIAS requirements page and FAQs prior to starting an ETIAS application to ensure that the application process goes smoothly and to avoid any delays or the risk of an ETIAS being refused.

Starting in 2025, a key requirement for being eligible to apply for an ETIAS will be that the applicant is a full British citizen. This means that travellers who hold a passport or travel document with a different status, such as a British overseas citizen, British subject, or British protected person, will not be able to apply for an ETIAS and will instead be required to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa. This requirement is in place to ensure that all travellers are subject to the same level of security screening, regardless of their citizenship status.

It is important to note that a full British citizen is someone who holds a British passport and is not subject to any immigration restrictions. Those who do not hold a full British passport will have to go through the Schengen visa application process, which is separate from the ETIAS application process and may have different requirements and documentation.

It is highly recommended that travellers check their citizenship status and passport type before starting an ETIAS application to ensure they are eligible and to avoid any delays or complications in the application process.

The ETIAS application process for British citizens is designed to be fast, efficient, and convenient. After submitting their application, British citizens can expect to receive their ETIAS authorisation within minutes, as long as all the provided information is correct and the applicant is not found to be a security risk. The ETIAS authorisation will be sent to the email address provided in the application in the form of a PDF document.

The final decision on entry to Europe is made by the border security personnel of the European country of arrival, even if the traveler holds an ETIAS. An ETIAS alone is not enough to guarantee entry to Europe, further screening and examination may be conducted by border security personnel.

Benefits of ETIAS

  • The validity of ETIAS is for 3 years from the date of issue.
  • ETIAS allows multiple entries within a 90-day period.
  • ETIAS applications are authorised quickly and delivered electronically.
  • ETIAS can be applied via desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Application Advice for ETIAS

  • It is recommended to submit an ETIAS application at least 96 hours before departure, to ensure the application process goes smoothly and to prevent any delays.
  • If an ETIAS application is denied, travellers can still apply for a full visitor visa.
  • The final decision on entry to Europe is made by the border security personnel of the European country of arrival, even if the traveller holds an ETIAS.