You may have heard that changes are coming in 2025 on how the United Kingdom and the European Union control their borders. Note: Irish passport holders will not require an ETA due to the Common Travel Area (CTA).
The key changes are as follows:
Entering the UK for a short stay / ETA:
There are important changes to be aware of if travelling to the UK. If you don’t need a visa and you are travelling for a short stay of less than six months, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is a digital permission to travel.
Non-European Visitors: An ETA will be mandatory for travel to the UK from 8 January 2025
European Visitors: An ETA will be mandatory for travel to the UK from 2 April 2025
You can check your ETA requirements and apply on the official UK government website.
Irish passport holders will not require an ETA due to the Common Travel Area (CTA).
Full details on making an ETA application can be found here.
Entering the EU / EES and ETIAS:
The EU is introducing two new border management systems:
- Entry Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals: European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders from 12 Ocotber 2025. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026. Check the official Entry/Exit System website for more details.
- European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for people from visa-exempt non-EU countries, such as the UK. This will require an application, for which a small fee is payable, for an ETIAS authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay (defined as up to 90 days within any 180 day period). Check the official ETIAS website for more details.
EU Citizens - Passport / Visa:
On our Dover Calais route, to cross the UK border, EU Citizens need a passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. You may need a visa for trips for other purposes - check the website for UK government visa advice.
You cannot use an EU, EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK, except in a very limited number of cases which are detailed on the UK government website.
Regarding the additional requirement to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to Britain, check further details here.
British Citizens - Passport / Visa:
For entry to France, British citizens who are holders of UK passports must ensure:
- Passports are issued less than 10 years before the date you enter France (check the 'date of issue')
- Passports are valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave France (check the 'expiry date')
British citizens do not need a visa for a leisure stay in France of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You may need a visa or permit to stay longer, to work or study, or for business travel. We recommend that you check the travel advice on the UK government website or use the French Government Visa check tool.
From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area. You can find further details on this here.
Non-EU nationals:
Non-EU nationals should check requirements with the relevant embassy before travelling, as they may need a visa as well as a passport. A visa can take several weeks to obtain, so please make the necessary arrangements well ahead of your travel date.
For further information on visas for travel to France, check this easy to use tool: French government Visa check. For information on visas / Electronic Travel Authorisation for travel to England, check the advice on the UK government website. Details on how to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation / ETA can be found here.
