ETIAS for Brits

The 10-year passport trap

Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive. If you renewed before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added, so the expiry date can look fine while the issue date is too old. Check the issue date, not just the expiry.

Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar

French border checks take place on British soil at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel Folkestone and St Pancras International. Your EES registration happens there, before you leave. Allow extra time on your first trip since April 2026.

Living in the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement

UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (resident in an EU country before the end of 2020, with a residence document) do not need ETIAS, and long-term residents are exempt from EES. Show your residence card with your passport.

British nationals who aren't British citizens

Holders of BN(O), British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject passports are visa-free for the Schengen area and will need ETIAS too.

British–Irish dual nationals

Travel on your Irish passport and you are an EU citizen: no ETIAS, no EES, no 90-day limit. On your British passport the normal rules apply. You still need a British passport (or certificate of entitlement) to return to the UK.

Gibraltar and Cyprus

Since 15 July 2026 Gibraltar applies Schengen-style entry checks at its airport, carried out by Spain, including EES, and ETIAS will apply once operational. Cyprus will require ETIAS but counts your 90 days separately and does not use EES.

The basics, in short

• Passport issued under 10 years ago, valid 3 months after you leave.
• 90 days in any 180, all Schengen countries together.
• ETIAS at launch: €20, valid 3 years or until the passport expires.

Rollout, decision times and the 30 countries: full ETIAS guide.

Going to France?

Passport, money to show, insurance and hosting rules for British citizens visiting France.