Travel to the EU

Travel to the EU (Updated October 2025)

Do you need a visa?

You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:

• you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period

• you’re visiting as a tourist or for other permitted reasons

Other permitted reasons include:

• studying a short course

• getting medical treatment

• travelling for business for your UK employer (e.g. attending a meeting or conference)

• journalism or other media activities

These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland (covered by the Common Travel Area).

What’s new from October 2025

From 12 October 2025, the EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES) at all external Schengen border points.

• When entering or leaving the Schengen area, travellers will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photo), in addition to showing their passport.

• Passports will continue to be stamped during the initial rollout, but this will gradually phase out.

• The rollout period will last up to 10 April 2026, by which time all border crossing points are expected to use the system.

• Expect longer queues and delays at border control, especially during the early months of implementation.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is planned for late 2026. Once live, UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online for travel authorisation before entering the Schengen area.

Travelling to countries in the Schengen area

You can travel to multiple countries within the Schengen area during a 180-day period. Your total stay across all Schengen countries must be no more than 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

The Schengen area countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

How to calculate your 90-day limit

1. Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.

2. Count back 180 days from that date — this is your reference period.

3. Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area during that 180-day period (using passport stamps as proof).

4. Work out how many days you plan to spend in the Schengen area on your upcoming trip.

5. Add these together and make sure the total is 90 days or less.

Travelling to EU countries outside the Schengen area

Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania are not in the Schengen area.

• You can stay in each of these countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa.

• Time spent in these countries does not count towards your 90 days in the Schengen area.

When you may need a visa

You may need a visa or permit if you want to:

• work in an EU/Schengen country

• stay for more than 90 days

If this applies, you must check the specific entry requirements of the country you’re visiting.

✅ Summary:

• 90 days in 180 rule still applies.

• New biometric checks (EES) start 12 October 2025.

• Passports stamped during rollout but phasing out by April 2026.

• ETIAS authorisation required from late 2026.

• Rules for Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania remain separate.