UK ETA vs ETIAS: Side-by-Side Comparison
These are two completely different travel authorisations. UK ETA is for the United Kingdom only, costs £16, and has been required since early 2025. ETIAS is for the EU's Schengen Area, costs €20, and launches in October 2026. If you're visiting both, you need both.
Quick comparison
Here's the snapshot:
- UK ETA: covers United Kingdom only. £16. Valid 2 years. Already required.
- ETIAS: covers 30 Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.). €20. Valid 3 years. Required from October 2026.
- Both are pre-travel authorisations — like a US ESTA — tied to your passport.
- Neither is a visa. Neither authorises work or long-term study.
- Both have maximum stay limits: UK ETA up to 6 months per visit; ETIAS up to 90 days in any 180-day window.
When you need both
If your trip includes the UK AND any Schengen country, you need both — UK ETA before the UK leg, ETIAS before the Schengen leg. The two systems don't talk to each other; getting one doesn't affect the other.
When you need only one
A UK-only trip needs only UK ETA. A trip to mainland Europe (France, Spain, Italy, etc.) without the UK needs only ETIAS. Ireland is in neither system — it's a separate country with its own rules.
When you need neither
If you have an EU passport (or UK passport for the UK), you don't need either. Dual citizens should travel on the EU passport for Schengen and a UK or Irish passport for the UK.
Cost comparison for a family of 4
A family visiting both UK and Europe: £64 (UK ETA) + €80 (ETIAS adults) + €0 (ETIAS kids under 18) = roughly $160 USD in government fees. That's before any service fees or transaction costs.
Find out what your family needs
Four quick questions. Personalised per family member. Tells you exactly what to apply for and when — UK ETA, ETIAS, EES, or nothing.
Take the quizCommon questions
If I have UK ETA, do I still need ETIAS?
Yes, if you're visiting any Schengen country. The two are completely separate systems and don't share data.
Can I apply for both at once?
Not through the official portals — they're different governments. Our service combines both into one application form for families travelling to both.
Which costs more, UK ETA or ETIAS?
UK ETA is £16 (about $20). ETIAS is €20 (about $22). Per person, ETIAS is slightly more expensive, but ETIAS is FREE for under-18s and over-70s while UK ETA charges everyone.