UK travellers visiting the EU will not be required to obtain a travel authorisation under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until at least April 2027, according to an official update.
The EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs has confirmed that while ETIAS is expected to launch in the final quarter of 2026, a transitional phase and grace period will delay the requirement for UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers to apply until sometime in 2027.
The roll-out of ETIAS is closely tied to the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will begin its phased introduction in October 2025 following multiple delays.
ETIAS will function similarly to systems like the U.S. ESTA, requiring visa-exempt travellers to register online before entering the Schengen Area. Once fully implemented, ETIAS will apply to citizens of around 60 countries, including the UK, who currently enjoy visa-free access to the EU.
