ETIAS rules 2025: When will UK travellers have to pay to enter 29 Schengen countries?
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ETIAS rules 2025: When will UK travellers have to pay to enter 29 Schengen countries?

Are you a national of the UK, who is planning a Schengen trip in 2025? Then, you might have heard about ETIAS rules 2025 often. Whether it’s a business trip to Spain or a vacation in France, a family visit to Belgium, or a cultural activity in Germany, UK travelers soon have to pay to enter these countries under a new travel scheme, i.e., ETIAS

This new travel rule is for UK passport holders planning to visit Schengen countries in 2025. However, before heading, they must navigate about European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), what it is, and what changes it will bring. 
Our comprehensive guide has compiled all the information about the new ETIAS rules and helps travelers know about their relevance in their travel plans. Keep reading!

What are ETIAS rules 2025 for UK travellers?

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, and this will be implemented soon for Schengen countries.    

As per BREXIT, which happened on January 31, 2020, the UK was no longer part of the European Union, and then with the Schengen agreement, a new travel rule was imposed for UK travelers. This agreement brought visa policies for the UK tarvelers which exempted the UK citizens from having a visa and mandated a Schengen visa for UK residents. In that case, UK nationals can visit the Schengen countries without any visa for a short period (90 days within 180 day period). However, to manage their entry & exit in the Schengen region, the ETIAS rules 2025 are being introduced. 

ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals, including UK citizens, traveling to any of the 29 Schengen countries. This permit gives access to Schengen as well as European nations, for a short duration (maximum three months within a 180-day period). 

Thinking about how much ETIAS will cost? €7 ETIAS application fee will only be chargeable for applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 70 at the time of application. 

Which countries come under the ETIAS rules 2025?

As per ETIAS rules 2025, UK citizens have to pay to enter the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. It will also be needed for Cyprus travel when Cyprus joins the Schengen area. 

When will ETIAS rules start for UK travelers? 

Finding the ETIAS start date? ETIAS travel authorisation is set to start in the final quarter of 2026. Along with the ETIAS rules 2025, the holder must remember to keep the other travel documents too, in order to enter the countries smoothly and stress-free. However, it is advised that UK travelers check the entry requirements set by the Schengen region.

The date when ETIAS rules will start will be announced by the European Union several months before hand. To acquire this travel authorisation, travelers have to fill out the application form through the ETIAS official portal. 

Applicants must bring the necessary travel documents, and in case the traveler fails to bring the paperwork, this hampers entry into the Schengen countries, requiring ETIAS – so come prepared. 

What are the EES and ETIAS rules for UK citizens?

Recently, the European Union has been planning to introduce a travel scheme that will come into effect for UK travelers. There are two separate travel schemes that are planned to be implemented: the EU Entry/Exit system (EES) and the ETIAS rules 2025. 

The EU Entry/ Exit system (EES) is a system to register UK travelers and other non-EU countries every time they enter or exit the EU. EES was about to start in late 2024, but it has been postponed. This system is for registering travelers, including UK, every time they cross the borders of the EU. Through this, they also require scanning their passports and other documents prior to.  

According to the European Commission, this travel rule will apply when entering 25 EU countries and 4 non-EU countries, which are part of the Schengen region. This applies to the citizens, whereas the residents of the UK are exempt from EES and require a valid Schengen visa instead. Are you a UK resident who needs a visa? SCHENGEN TRAVEL GUIDE is here offering the streamlined process to APPLY NOW

What is the Schengen visa for UK residents?  

Every year, millions of UK travelers visit Schengen countries for tourism, business, transit, family visit, work, or family reunification. But not every traveler requires a Schengen visa from UK. As per Schengen’s rules & regulations, UK residents need a Schengen visa in order to visit any Schengen country for a short as well as long duration. However, a Schengen visa from UK is a permit that allows travelers to visit the country stress-free. 

Who needs a Schengen visa? Here is the answer!

  • A UK national who was previously rejected from entering. 
  • A UK resident (non-EU national), who is legally living in the UK. And also is a national of a country that does not come under a visa-free agreement with the Schengen. 

Whereas citizens of certain countries are exempted from having this visa. And for them ETIAS rules 2025 are being formulated soon. 

Finding a way to apply for a Schengen visa? SCHENGEN TRAVEL GUIDE, is one of the leading visa agencies in the UK that offers the easiest and fastest visa process online. Simply APPLY NOW and submit the form in minutes.

Summary

In conclusion, the European Union and Schengen countries are ready to bring ETIAS rules 2025 to manage the travel of UK nationals. If you are eligible for this, then it is better to be prepared for this new travel rule. Not only will this make the border management easy, but also control the entry & exit of the visa-free exempt travelers. 

To help the applicants, our guide tried to break down every fact related to the new ETIAS rule. This will let them understand what changes this travel authorisation will bring for them in their Schengen trips. 

Traveling to Schengen countries in 2026? Then make sure to pin this guide now! Happy travelling happens ……. when you know!

FAQ’s

Do UK residents need ETIAS?

No. ETIAS is required by UK nationals if they travel to any of the European countries. This allows them a short stay in the country (90 days in a 180-day period).

When in 2025 will ETIAS start in the UK?

Recently, a revised timeline was endorsed for the implementation of the ETIAS rule. According to this, once the EES is executed in the last quarter of 2025. And ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026.

How much is an ETIAS for UK citizens?

The ETIAS will cost around €7 for individuals aged 18 to 70. The ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for visa-exempt individuals entering the Schengen area.

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