ETIAS, UK ETA & EES, explained
Europe is rolling out the biggest change to its borders in decades. Three different things are easy to confuse — here's what each one is, whether it applies to you, and how to get sorted before you fly.
🇪🇺 EU ETIAS
Online travel authorisation
For currently visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen area. Targeted for late 2026 with a grace period after. ~€20, valid 3 years. Not a visa — a quick online approval linked to your passport.
🇬🇧 UK ETA
Online travel authorisation · live now
Already required for visa-exempt visitors — including EU/EEA/Swiss nationals since April 2025. ~£16, valid 2 years, multiple entries.
🛂 EU EES
Automated border system
Biometric entry/exit registration replacing passport stamps. You don't apply — it happens at the border. Rolling out from late 2025. Free.
At a glance
| System | What it is | Who needs it | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU ETIAS | Online authorisation (not a visa) | Visa-exempt visitors to Schengen | Targeted late 2026 (+ grace period) | ~€20 (free <18 / >70) |
| UK ETA | Online authorisation | Visa-exempt visitors to the UK (incl. EU/EEA/Swiss) | Live now | ~£16 |
| EU EES | Biometric border check | Non-EU travellers at Schengen borders | Rolling out 2025–26 | Free |
| US ESTA | Online authorisation | Visa Waiver Program travellers to the US | Live now | Fee applies |
How to apply
UK ETA: apply through the official gov.uk route — or use a checked-application service that fills and reviews the form for you and flags errors before submission.
ETIAS: applications aren't open yet (expected late 2026) — anyone selling "ETIAS applications" today is ahead of the system. Get an email the moment applications open →
Dates and fees for ETIAS and EES have shifted more than once and may change again — always confirm with the official sources (EU ETIAS, UK ETA) before you travel. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.