Visas and Borders

The EU is committed to further reform, including digitalisation of the Schengen visa process by all Schengen member states (see below), and has established a common visa policy (Schengen visa) for visitors to the Schengen Area not exceeding 90 days in a rolling 180 day period (short stay). Visa policy for visits exceeding 90 days in a rolling 180 day period remain subject to national procedures. To help calculate remaining time permitted in the Schengen Area, see here.

Annex II – List of countries whose nationals are not required to obtain a Schengen visa (‘visa-waiver/exempt’)

Annex I – List of countries whose nationals are required to obtain a Schengen visa.

The cost of a Schengen visa is generally €90 per person aged 12 and above. Further information here.

In certain cases, nationals of countries listed in Annex I are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement as a member state can implement derogations. For example, nationals of a third country listed in Annex I, residing in a country listed in Annex II, travelling as part of a school trip.

School trip visa exemption: For information on which EU/EFTA member states apply this derogation, see Article 6 (2.1) in the derogations spreadsheet found in the section ‘Countries whose nationals require a visa‘.

Statistics: Number of visa applications and issuance by each Schengen member state (+ Cyprus) including by consulate (press release for 2023)

Schengen Visa Digitalisation

From 2028, it is anticipated that a single EU online visa application platform will become operational to unify the Schengen visa application procedure. The platform will enable visa requiring nationals to apply for a Schengen visa online, regardless of the Schengen country they would like to visit. Due to a 7 year transition period, it may not be until 2035 when all Schengen member states have joined the platform. Appearing in person at the consulate would only be mandatory for first time applicants for the collection of biometric identifiers, for applicants whose biometric data are no longer valid or those with a new travel document.

The Schengen visa will also be digitalised (replacing the current visa sticker with a cryptographically signed barcode) and introduced when the platform becomes operational.

European Commission summary of the new rules/process

The new rules were adopted by the European Council in November 2023, after a legislative proposal from the European Commission in April 2022, and agreed with the European Parliament in June 2023. Further information is published on the European Commission’s visa policy page in the section ‘Visa digitalisation‘.

‘EU Digital Travel Application’

In October 2024, the European Commission adopted proposals to digitalise travel documents (passport and EU ID cards) for travellers to use entering/leaving the Schengen Area. The European Council and European Parliament are now discussing whether to agree to the proposals before they can be implemented.

The proposals include the development of an ‘EU Digital Travel Application’ that will be voluntary and free to use by all travellers (EU and non-EU nationals) to store their travel document(s). The app is anticipated to be available from 2030. In the meantime, Schengen member states would be allowed to implement national systems for using digital documents at their borders before the ‘EU Digital Travel application’ is ready for use.

Further information:  Factsheet and Q&A

Cyprus has applied to join the Schengen Area and is applying parts of the Schengen acquis such as on external border policy (i.e. 90 days in rolling 180 day period). In 2023, the European Commission evaluation process started to assess the readiness of Cyprus to join the Schengen Area and is ongoing.

Ireland maintains an opt-out from joining the Schengen Area and does not participate in the Schengen acquis on external border policy (i.e. 90 days in rolling 180 day period). However, Ireland does participate in the Schengen acquis related to the Schengen Information System, police and judicial cooperation. For information on visiting Ireland and travel between Ireland and the UK, see below.

For entering Schengen Area (or Cyprus) – expiry date is required to be at least 3 months after intended leaving date (only months less than 10 years from issue date are included in calculation). Consequently for a 10 year passport to be valid, the day intend to leave must not be more than 9 years and 9 months since issue date.

For entering Ireland see below.

 

Official website: European Commission EES webpage

Official communication resources: ‘Carrier information pack‘ (August 2024) – materials (posters/leaflets) to help inform travellers to be published at a later date once new target start date is announced.

Introduction

EES is an automated IT system for registering third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals visiting the Schengen Area for short stay (max 90 in 180 days), both visa-exempt and visa-requiring.

Key Information

The European Commission, EU agencies and Schengen member states are currently discussing a phased implementation of EES (planned to start in 2025) and how this will occur. Please monitor this section for updates.

4 Dec 2024: European Commission proposed regulation for a 6 month progressive start of operations (summary Q&A). Once approved, information below will be updated.  

Start date (target): To be announced in 2025

Countries implementing: Schengen Area

Countries (EU) not implementing: Cyprus and Ireland

Applicable to: third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals visiting for short stay (max 90 in 180 days), both visa-exempt and visa-requiring, of all ages although collection of biometric data varies by age. See question 1 in FAQs for exemptions.

System: EES will replace manual stamping in a passport (after end of 6 month progressive start of operations) and collection of biometric data will be required:

Age 12 and above – facial image and fingerprints
Under 12 – facial image

Cost: Free

How to apply: Not required in advance of travel; biometric data to be submitted at port of entry. The process collecting the biometric data may vary by country/entry port using either a booth or tablet. Depending on the country arriving into the Schengen Area, a person may be permitted to upload their facial image in advance (but not fingerprints) through a mobile app to speed up processing at border control.

For frequent visitors, see information on National Facilitation Programmes.

Validity: Personal data collected is stored for 3 years and one day after leaving the Schengen Area for majority of third country nationals. When re-entering the Schengen Area and data on file is still stored and valid, new biometric data is not required to be collected.

‘Precautionary measures’: After the end of the proposed 6 month progressive start of operations, implementing countries can decide to waive the collection of biometric data during peak travel times. The border waiting time before this measure is used could vary between countries.

ETOA webinar(s) on topic

24 October 2023: Watch webinar | European Commission presentation

Official website (including how to apply when launched): European Commission ETIAS webpage

Official communication resources: FRONTEX latest information pack (July 2024)

Introduction

ETIAS is a travel authorisation permit to be required by nationals of third countries (non-EU/non-EFTA) to visit the Schengen Area or Cyprus, who do not require a Schengen visa (Annex II). For example, British (UK), Japan, USA.

ETIAS & UK ETA summary table showing key similarities and differences between the travel authorisation schemes

Key Information

Start date (target): To be announced as dependent on EES implemented first and planned to start approx. 6 months after EES

Countries implementing: Schengen Area + Cyprus

Countries (EU) not implementing: Ireland

Applicable to: Third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) nationals of countries with Schengen visa-waiver/exempt status (Annex II). However, an ETIAS will not be required when transiting the countries implementing and remain in international transit area.

Exemptions: Third country nationals resident within the Schengen Area or Cyprus. Third country nationals resident in Ireland are not exempt (except British nationals resident in Ireland before 1 January 2021). Information on exemptions.

Cost: €7 per person aged 18-70 years old at time of application (under 18 and over 70 still need to apply even though free). Family member of an EU/EFTA national (of all ages) are exempt from payment travelling to a country that is not of their family member’s nationality.

How to apply (not yet launched): Required to receive ETIAS permit in advance of travel; apply via ETIAS mobile app (in development) or European Commission ETIAS webpage.

Third parties e.g. tour operators are permitted to apply on behalf of the traveller with a declaration of representation. The third party will be required to upload a copy of the signed declaration to the application form (the declaration can be in English, French, German, or in the official language of the country of which the traveller is a national).

Transition period: For at least 6 months from start date, an ETIAS permit will not be a requirement (including for multiple entries during this time).
Grace period: After the transition period, there will also be a grace period of at least 6 months, whereby a person on their first visit to a country implementing ETIAS since the end of ETIAS transition period will not be required to have an ETIAS permit.

Validity: 3 years or until expiration of travel document i.e. passport, whichever is sooner. Multiple entries will be permitted during period of validity. A standard ETIAS travel authorisation allows travel to all countries that have implemented ETIAS and is linked to the travel document i.e. passport.

Dual nationals (multiple passports): A person with two passports both from a third country (non-EU/non-EFTA) will be required to apply for an ETIAS linked to one of their passports. Applying for an ETIAS for each passport will not be permitted.

School trips: ETIAS will be required by nationals of a third country listed in Annex I, residing in a country listed in Annex II, travelling as part of a school trip where a visa is not required. For information on which EU/EFTA member states apply the school trip visa exemption, see Article 6 (2.1) in the derogations spreadsheet found in the section ‘Visa requirements for third countries‘.

Additional information

Pricing policy: Unlike the USA equivalent (ESTA), the revenue will not contribute to tourism promotion. Following strong representation from industry, the fee is set at a level to cover costs including development of land border infrastructure as well as the system itself. ETOA and other associations took the view that seeking profit would penalise those who had chosen to visit Europe, and that promotion should be funded in other ways. Some confusion about scope and operation has arisen due to the proliferation of unofficial websites with URLs containing either Schengen or ETIAS.

ETOA webinar(s) on topic

24 October 2023: Watch webinar | European Commission presentation | FRONTEX presentation on ETIAS misinformation and unofficial websites

While there is a different time limit for visiting Ireland (90 days) and the UK (6 months), there is common visa policy between Ireland and the UK for certain nationalities such as the British Irish visa scheme for Chinese and Indian nationals. This scheme allows travel in Ireland and the UK for Chinese and Indian nationals on a single visa (either issued by Ireland or UK, usually the country of first arrival). Ireland also has a short-stay visa waiver programme that exempts nationals of certain countries who have a UK visa from needing an Irish visa when in Ireland (this programme is not reciprocated by UK Government).

The cost of a UK standard visitor visa is generally £115. Other visa fees can be found here.

The cost of an Ireland short stay ‘C’ visitor visa is generally €60.

 

For entering Ireland – expiry date after intended leaving date

For entering UK – expiry date after intended leaving date

British and Irish nationals are advised to carry valid ID documentation travelling between Ireland and the UK (transport carriers may require ID document to be a passport).

 

Since 1 October 2021, the EU List of Travellers Scheme has ended for school trips from the EU to the UK. As a result, children of UK visa requiring nationality now require a visa to visit the UK (except on a school trip from France). In addition, EU ID cards are no longer accepted for most visitors and a passport is required (unless exempt or a child on a school trip from France).

Security of new EU ID cards is improving following European Commission regulation in August 2021. ETOA has been campaigning with other industry associations for UK Government to re-instate acceptance of EU ID cards for children under 18, as well as waiving the need for a UK visa for children of visa-requiring nationality on EU/EFTA school trips to the UK. The UK-France Joint Leaders’ Declaration in March 2023 committing to making changes to documentary requirements for children on a school trip from France is welcome, however bilateral agreements of a similar kind with other EU member states have not been announced to date.

School trip from France

From 28 December 2023, documentary requirements entering the UK have changed for children under 18 on a school trip from France (with 5 or more pupils) whereby:

• an EU ID card is accepted for entry instead of a passport
• children of visa requiring nationality do not require a UK visitor visa

These changes are only permitted if a France-UK School Trip Travel Information Form has been completed (further information on the process). A passport is still required for adults supervising the children.

 

When travelling between Ireland and Northern Ireland, there are no immigration controls on the land border, but a person needs to check if a Irish/UK visa is required for their nationality in either country.

For nationalities who do not require a UK visa, a travel authorisation permit (UK ETA) is/will be required in Northern Ireland (start date varies by nationality). As it stands, a UK ETA is/will be required in Northern Ireland arriving from Ireland unless resident in Ireland.

 

Official website (including how to apply online or download app):  UK Government ETA webpage
Further information:  Immigration Rules Appendix

UK Government communication resources: 

• Stakeholder pack including General Factsheet (English | Other languages) and Ireland/Northern Ireland Factsheet (English)
• Videos – What is an ETA | How to apply
• UK Government information webinars (public)

ETOA webinar with UK Government held on 2 December 2024.

Introduction

ETA is a travel authorisation permit that is/will be required by non-British/non-Irish nationals visiting the UK who do not require a UK visa e.g. EU/EFTA (excluding Ireland), Japan, Canada and USA. Start date varies by nationality.

Please note the UK ETA is separate to the forthcoming ETA anticipated to be implemented in late 2025 by the three British Crown Dependencies (CDs) – Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man. However, a UK ETA will be accepted travelling to the CDs and a separate CD ETA will not be required.

ETIAS & UK ETA summary table showing key similarities and differences between the travel authorisation schemes

Key Information

Start date: varies by nationality
In effect: nationals of GCC countries (nationals of Jordan can no longer apply for an ETA)

Start date for remaining visa-exempt nationals:
8 January 2025 – rest of the world (excluding EU/EFTA) e.g. Japan, USA – apply from 27 November 2024
2 April 2025 – EU/EFTA nationals (excluding Irish) and European microstates – apply from 5 March 2025

NB Start date is when begin travel to the UK not the date arriving in the UK

Implementing country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)

Applicable to: non-British/non-Irish nationals visiting the UK, who do not require a UK visa (start date varies by nationality). An ETA is also required when transiting the UK and remain in international transit area. In addition, as it stands an ETA is required in Northern Ireland arriving from Ireland unless resident in Ireland.

A passport is required to apply for an ETA (an EU ID card can not be used).

Exemptions:

• Non-British/non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland who do not require a UK visitor visa are exempt when travelling to the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) from Ireland or elsewhere in the Common Travel Area (CTA). An ETA is required when travelling to/transiting the UK from outside the CTA. To prove residency in Ireland, these documents are accepted.
• Children on school trips from France under the agreed scheme (adults supervising the children still need to apply for an ETA if their nationality is visa-exempt).

Cost: £10 per person (payable by all ages). The revenue is used to cover costs and invest in the UK border system.

Validity: 2 years or until expiration of travel document i.e. passport, whichever is sooner. Multiple entries are permitted during period of validity. An ETA allows travel to all countries in the UK and is linked to the travel document i.e. passport.

Multiple passports: An ETA is linked to each passport and therefore a person can have more than one ETA valid at the same time.

Dual nationals: A person with a British or Irish passport should travel using this passport to demonstrate they do not need an ETA. A US national who also has British/Irish nationality travelling from the USA should use their US passport for check-in but present their British/Irish passport to the carrier for boarding. 

Application process: Either via dedicated mobile app or online (process differs between mobile app and online). When applying via mobile app a photo of the traveller and their passport is taken and for ages 10+ also a facial biometric. When applying online a photo of the traveller and their passport is required to be uploaded. Most applications are reviewed within 1 day, but may take up to 3 working days. Third parties are permitted to apply on behalf of a traveller (applications should be made online where the traveller is not present with the third party).