UK ETA vs ETIAS: which one do you need?
Two separate systems that are often confused: one for travel to the UK, one for travel to Europe.
In short
UK ETA vs ETIAS at a glance
| Feature | UK ETA | ETIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | UK government | European Union |
| Where it lets you travel | The United Kingdom | 30 participating European countries |
| Who needs it | Eligible non-UK visitors who don’t need a UK visa | Visa-exempt travellers to ETIAS countries (UK, US, CA, AU…) |
| Fee | Around £20 (UK fee, subject to change) | Expected €20 |
| Validity | Up to 2 years or until passport expires | Up to 3 years or until passport expires |
| Status | Live, already required from many nationalities | Not live yet, expected Q4 2026 |
| How you apply | Online via the UK government / official app | Online via the official EU system / app, when live |
What is UK ETA?
The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is the UK government’s pre-travel authorisation for eligible non-UK visitors who don’t need a UK visa. It is required before travelling to the UK, costs a small fee, and is checked when you board a flight to the UK.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is the EU’s equivalent for travel into participating European countries. It applies to visa-exempt travellers, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, and is required before travelling to ETIAS countries. ETIAS is not live yet and is expected to launch in Q4 2026.
British citizens travelling to Europe
UK citizens never need a UK ETA to enter their own country. They will, however, need ETIAS for short trips to ETIAS countries (except Ireland) once the system becomes mandatory.
Americans travelling to the UK vs Europe
Americans visiting the United Kingdom need a UK ETA today. For trips to Europe (France, Italy, Spain etc.), Americans will also need ETIAS once it becomes mandatory. They are two separate authorisations for two different trips.
Common confusion
Both systems are online pre-travel authorisations linked to a passport, and both are sometimes called “the new Europe visa” in the press, but the UK is not in the EU and is not part of the Schengen area, so UK travel rules and EU travel rules are separate.
ETIAS, EES, UK ETA and US ESTA compared
| Feature | ETIAS | EES | UK ETA | US ESTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Pre-travel authorisation | Border entry and exit record | Pre-travel authorisation | Pre-travel authorisation |
| Who runs it | European Union | European Union | UK government | US government |
| Where you do it | Online, before you travel | At the Schengen border | Online, before you travel | Online, before you travel |
| Cost | Expected €20 | Free | Around £20 | Around US$40 |
| Who and where | Visa-exempt visitors to Europe | Non-EU visitors to Europe | Visa-exempt visitors to the UK | Visa Waiver visitors to the US |
| Live yet? | Not yet, expected Q4 2026 | Yes, since April 2026 | Yes | Yes |
Get one email when ETIAS opens
Get one email when ETIAS applications open. No passport details. No payment before launch.
UK ETA vs ETIAS FAQs
Is ETIAS a visa?
Technically no. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Many travellers search for “ETIAS visa” or “Europe visa waiver”. The closest comparison is the US ESTA system. You still need a valid passport, and ETIAS does not guarantee entry: border officers always make the final decision.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, UK citizens travelling for short stays to participating European countries are expected to need an ETIAS authorisation linked to their British passport. They will not need ETIAS for Ireland (Common Travel Area).
Do US citizens need ETIAS?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, US passport holders travelling for short stays (under 90 days) to ETIAS countries are expected to need an ETIAS authorisation. It will work in a similar way to ESTA, but it is a separate system for Europe.
What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?
ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The official ETIAS fee is expected to be €20. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee, though they will still need an ETIAS. Private services may charge a separate, optional service fee for help with the application.
Related pages
Get ready for ETIAS before it becomes mandatory
ETIAS is not live yet. Check whether you’re likely to need it and get one email when applications open.