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Visa and entry requirements depend on your nationality, destination, length and purpose of travel. Requirements can change, so we strongly recommend checking the relevant official government website before travelling.
When entering the EU or Schengen Area, non-EU travellers generally need a valid passport or travel document.
For short visits to the Schengen Area, your passport should:
have been issued within the previous 10 years; and
remain valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Children and minors must have their own passport and, where required, their own visa or travel authorisation. Border authorities may also ask for supporting documents such as proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, or evidence of sufficient funds.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will apply to nationals of countries whose citizens can currently travel to the participating European countries without a visa.
ETIAS is not yet operational. The EU currently expects ETIAS to start late 2026 or 2027, and the exact launch date will be announced by the European Union. Travellers should not apply through any website claiming to issue ETIAS authorisations before the system officially opens.
ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Once the system is operational, eligible visa-exempt travellers will need to obtain an ETIAS authorisation before travelling to the participating European countries.
For the latest information, visit Official ETIAS information.
On arrival you must show a valid passport or other official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality.
The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished routine checks at their internal borders. This allows people to travel between Schengen countries without normally going through passport control at each internal border. However, temporary internal border controls may be introduced in certain circumstances.
The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
If you are a citizen of a country whose nationals are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, you can generally visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided you meet the applicable entry conditions.
If you are a national of a country whose citizens require a visa, you will normally need to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling. A Schengen visa generally allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
When entering the Schengen Area, border authorities may ask you to demonstrate the purpose and conditions of your stay and that you have sufficient funds for your visit and your return or onward journey. You may therefore be asked to provide documents such as accommodation details, a return or onward ticket, or evidence of sufficient financial means.
If you are visiting several Schengen countries and require a visa, you should normally apply through the country that is your main destination. This is generally the country where you will spend the longest time or, depending on the circumstances, where the main purpose of your visit takes place. If no main destination can be determined, you should normally apply through the country whose external border you intend to cross first when entering the Schengen Area.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all part of the United Kingdom and have UK immigration requirements.
A Schengen visa is not valid for entry to the UK.
Most visitors who do not need a UK visa must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. Since 25 February 2026, non-visa nationals generally cannot travel to the UK without the required ETA or another valid form of permission.
The current ETA rules include:
Cost: £20 per application.
Who needs one: Most visitors who do not require a UK visa, including children and babies.
Validity: An ETA is valid for 2 years, or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first.
Multiple visits: You can travel to the UK multiple times while your ETA remains valid, subject to the conditions of your permission.
Decision time: You will usually receive a decision within 3 working days.
Passport changes: If you receive a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA because the authorisation is linked to your passport.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Border officials will still decide whether you meet the requirements for entry. An ETA generally allows eligible visitors to travel to the UK for tourism and other permitted activities for up to 6 months, subject to the applicable immigration rules.
For the latest requirements and to apply, visit GOV.UK — UK ETA.
The Republic of Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and has its own visa and immigration requirements.
Whether you need an Irish visa depends primarily on your nationality and circumstances. If you are from a visa-required country and are visiting Ireland for tourism for up to 90 days, you generally need to apply for a Short Stay 'C' visa before travelling.
Do not assume that a Schengen visa, ETIAS or UK ETA allows you to enter Ireland. These are separate immigration systems.
There are some specific visa waiver arrangements and exemptions, including certain arrangements involving eligible UK short-stay visa holders, but these are subject to detailed conditions. A UK ETA by itself does not qualify for Ireland's Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme.
For the latest information, including the list of nationalities that require an Irish visa, visit Irish Immigration Service — Visiting Ireland.
Visa and entry requirements can change at short notice. It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they have the correct passport, visa, travel authorisation and other required documents before departure.
We recommend checking the official immigration authority for every country you will visit before booking or travelling. Our information is provided as general guidance and does not replace advice from the relevant government, embassy or consulate.