UK ETA vs ETIAS
Same idea, different countries. Both are online travel authorisations, not visas - but the UK ETA is for Britain and ETIAS is for the Schengen area. If your trip spans both, you need both.
The short answer
UK only → UK ETA. Schengen only → ETIAS. Both on one trip (e.g. London + Paris) → both. The UK ETA is required now; ETIAS is expected Q4 2026.
| Feature | UK ETA | ETIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | The United Kingdom | The European Union |
| Covers | The whole UK (England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland) | The Schengen area + Cyprus (30 countries) |
| Fee | £20 per person | €20 (free under 18 / over 70) |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expires | 3 years or until passport expires |
| Length of stay | Up to 6 months per visit | 90 days in any 180 (the Schengen rule) |
| Status | Live now - already required | Expected Q4 2026 |
| Apply at | UK ETA app or gov.uk | Official EU ETIAS portal |
Why the confusion?
Both arrived around the same time, both are called “travel authorisations”, and both are aimed at visa-free visitors. But the UK and the EU are entirely separate jurisdictions: the UK left the EU and was never in Schengen. So there is no single permit for “Europe” - you match the authorisation to the country.
For the deepest case, our UK ETA for US citizens page walks through a London + Paris itinerary. And to see why the UK sits outside the Schengen count, read is the UK in Schengen?
Only the Schengen leg is capped at 90 days. Plan it with the free 90/180 calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a UK ETA and ETIAS?
Only if your trip includes both the UK and the Schengen area. They are separate systems for separate places: the UK ETA for Britain, ETIAS for the Schengen countries. A London-only trip needs just the UK ETA; a Paris-only trip needs just ETIAS; London + Paris needs both.
What's the difference between the UK ETA and ETIAS?
Different governments, different areas, different cost and timing. The UK ETA is £20 and already required; ETIAS is €20 and expected in last quarter of 2026. Neither is a visa - both are quick online authorisations linked to your passport.
Does the UK ETA cover travel to Europe?
No. The UK ETA only gets you into the United Kingdom. For France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the rest of the Schengen area you will need ETIAS once it launches - see what ETIAS is.
Do UK days count towards the Schengen 90/180?
No. The UK is outside Schengen, so your UK days never touch your 90/180 allowance. You can use the 90/180 calculator for the Schengen side and treat the UK leg as completely separate.
Sources
- GOV.UK - Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK - verified 11 Jun 2026
- Travel to Europe - Official ETIAS portal - verified 11 Jun 2026
- European Commission - ETIAS will cost €20 - verified 11 Jun 2026