Is ETIAS requirements for UK residents? Visa UPDATES 2025!

Are you a UK resident? Then, NO, you don’t require the ETIAS. In recent years, the European Union has been trying to bring border controls in a more concise way and get its entry requirements sorted. However, it is bringing some new travel rules for UK travelers, including ETIAS requirements for UK citizens.   

This is one of the Future Changes to Travel to the Schengen Countries that will be implemented for travelers in the coming year. Around 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries, including UK, are required to have this travel authorisation to enter Schengen countries. Therefore, in this comprehensive guide, we have compiled all the information about this travel authorisation, its requirements, eligibility, and impact on UK citizens. Keep reading and pin for future needs! 

What is ETIAS for UK travelers?  

Finding about ETIAS requirements for UK citizens? This stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, which is about to start in the last quarter of 2026.    

As per BREXIT, the UK is no longer a part of the European Union, and it isn’t part of the Schengen region either, which imposes some travel rules on its citizens as well as residents. As per Schengen rules, UK citizens are exempt from having a visa for a short stay in France, whereas UK residents need a valid France Schengen visa in order to visit any of the 29 Schengen countries for short or long stays. 

However, to manage the entry & exit of the exempted nationals, including UK citizens, the ETIAS rules 2025 are being introduced. ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of the 29 Schengen countries. This permit gives access to France as well as the following European nations, for a short duration (maximum three months within a 180-day period). 

*** ETIAS will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. 

Do UK residents need ETIAS in 2025?  

No. Under the current rules, nationals of certain countries, living in the UK, do not need an ETIAS travel authorization to visit France or other Schengen countries. ETIAS requirements for UK citizens are expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. 

Although UK residents require a valid France visa, there are certain nationalities who are exempt from having the visa. They are exempt under the visa-free agreement with the Schengen region. Hence, for those nationalities, legally living in the UK as a resident, ETIAS will be mandatory. 

Whereas, the UK residents who are applying for the visa and trying to get the France Visa Appointment from UK, FRANCE VISA ASSISTANCE is here. APPLY NOW! 

What is the EES system for EU travel?  

Recently, the European Union has been planning to introduce some new EU travel rules UK, which include the EU Entry/Exit system (EES) and the ETIAS requirements for UK citizens. 

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. Although the plan to execute EES was started in 2022, it was about to start in late 2024, but it has been postponed due to several factors. This border control system is IT-based and for registering travelers, including UK, every time they cross the borders of France or EU nations. 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 France visa instead. Make sure to check your eligibility before heading to France. 

*** 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.

What is the France visa for UK residents?  

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

Who requires a France 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 is a national of a country that does not come under a visa-free agreement with the Schengen. 

Whereas nationals of certain countries are exempt from having this visa, and ETIAS requirements for UK citizens are being formulated soon. 

Want to apply for a French visa? FRANCE VISA ASSISTANCE 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.

Process to Apply for France Visa Online in 2025! 

Are you a UK resident who is exempt from ETIAS and looking to apply for a France visa from UK? Then here you are. With this streamlined process, we have created a space with no visa rejection. Here is the easiest online procedure:

STEP 1: Click the APPLY NOW button, and fill out the France visa application form correctly without errors. And along with submission, pay the handling charges as asked.

STEP 2: Our Experts will contact you and book the France visa appointment at the visa centre as per your preferences. Experts will also guide you about the documentation.

STEP 3: Visit the TLS centre on the day of the appointment, and bring the essential documents to get them verified and register the biometrics.

STEP 4: Once the process is finished, you will get your France visa within 10-15 calendar days via courier.

Choose the top France visa agency in UK! 

There are hundreds of visa agencies, but relying can be quite hard. But to escape from those long queues and complicated application procedures, travelers prefer choosing the visa agencies. Among the leading agencies, FRANCE VISA ASSISTANCE is also one of the preferred ones, with thousands of satisfied applicants. 

With recognized expertise and years of experience, we keep up with all your visa needs regarding online form filling, France visa appointment booking, documentation, and also for guiding you throughout the process.

Say goodbye to the delays and give us all your stress of the France visa process!

Ready to kickstart your journey and inquire about a France Schengen visa appointment UK? Your trip begins here with us!

Must Read: France Visa from UK FAQs

SUMMARY   

In conclusion, if you are a UK traveler and you are planning to take a short trip to France or want to travel around Europe, under current rules, you don’t need to apply for a visa. However, this will soon change, as an electronic travel authorisation will be needed in the form of an  ETIAS requirements for UK citizens. Therefore, planning ahead and allowing sufficient time for authorisation are essential to prevent last-minute issues.

In this guide for British travellers, we tried to explain the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System and the rules relating to European travel for non-EU nationals. Hope that helped. Pin for future travel! 

Frequently Asked Questions