Visiting Europe AND the UK
Planning a trip that includes both continental Europe and the United Kingdom? You may need two separate travel authorizations: ETIAS for the Schengen Area and UK ETA for the United Kingdom. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Do I Need Two Separate Authorizations?
Since Brexit (January 2020), the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union or the Schengen Area. The UK and EU now operate completely independent immigration systems.
🇪🇺 Schengen Area (ETIAS)
30 European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and more. Controlled by the EU. Requires ETIAS from Q4 2026 for visa-exempt travelers.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK ETA)
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Independent immigration system since Brexit. Requires UK ETA since February 2026 for 88+ nationalities.
ETIAS vs UK ETA: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 🇪🇺 ETIAS | 🇬🇧 UK ETA |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System | Electronic Travel Authorisation |
| Covers | Schengen Area (30 countries) including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc. | United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) |
| Fee | €20 | £20 |
| Validity | 3 years or until passport expires | 2 years or until passport expires |
| Processing time | 95% within minutes; up to 30 days | Usually within 3 working days |
| How to apply | Official ETIAS website or mobile app | Official UK ETA smartphone app (requires NFC) |
| Status | Launching Q4 2026 | LIVE since February 2026 |
| Maximum stay | 90 days per 180-day period | Up to 6 months per visit |
| Travel insurance | Strongly recommended (€30,000 minimum for Schengen) | Recommended (NHS charges tourists 150%) |
| Who needs it? | 59 visa-exempt countries (non-EU/EEA nationals) | 88+ nationalities including EU/EEA citizens, Americans, Canadians, Australians |
What is it?
ETIAS
Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System
UK ETA
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Covers
ETIAS
Schengen Area (30 countries) including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.
UK ETA
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
Fee
ETIAS
€20
UK ETA
£20
Validity
ETIAS
3 years or until passport expires
UK ETA
2 years or until passport expires
Processing time
ETIAS
95% within minutes; up to 30 days
UK ETA
Usually within 3 working days
How to apply
ETIAS
Official ETIAS website or mobile app
UK ETA
Official UK ETA smartphone app (requires NFC)
Status
ETIAS
Launching Q4 2026
UK ETA
LIVE since February 2026
Maximum stay
ETIAS
90 days per 180-day period
UK ETA
Up to 6 months per visit
Travel insurance
ETIAS
Strongly recommended (€30,000 minimum for Schengen)
UK ETA
Recommended (NHS charges tourists 150%)
Who needs it?
ETIAS
59 visa-exempt countries (non-EU/EEA nationals)
UK ETA
88+ nationalities including EU/EEA citizens, Americans, Canadians, Australians
Scenario: Planning a London + Paris Trip
One of the most popular multi-destination trips in the world. Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.
Apply for UK ETA (do this first -- it is already live)
LIVE NOWDownload the UK ETA app, scan your passport, fill in details, pay £20. Allow 3 working days for processing. You need this for the London portion of your trip.
2-4 weeks before trip
Apply for ETIAS (available from Q4 2026)
FROM Q4 2026Visit the official ETIAS portal, complete the application, pay €20. Processing is usually within minutes. You need this for the Paris (France/Schengen) portion of your trip.
1-2 weeks before trip
Get travel insurance that covers both regions
RECOMMENDEDChoose a policy that covers both the UK and the Schengen Area. The Schengen minimum is €30,000 medical coverage. For the UK, insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended (NHS charges tourists 150% of cost).
Before departure
Book the Eurostar (London to Paris in 2h15m)
TIPThe Eurostar train connects London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord in just over 2 hours. You will go through both UK exit checks and French/EU entry checks at St Pancras before boarding. Have both your UK ETA confirmation and ETIAS ready.
Book early for best fares
Insurance Requirements: Europe vs UK
🇪🇺 Schengen Area (ETIAS)
While not legally mandatory for ETIAS holders, travel insurance meeting the Schengen standard (€30,000 minimum) is strongly recommended and may be checked at the border.
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK ETA)
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. The UK's National Health Service charges overseas visitors 150% of the cost of treatment. Emergency care is provided, but you will be billed.
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital stays (can cost thousands of pounds)
- Repatriation / medical evacuation
- Trip cancellation / baggage loss
Pro tip: Choose a travel insurance policy that covers both the UK and the Schengen Area under a single plan. All three recommended providers below offer multi-country European coverage.
Heymondo
Best overall value
€38/trip
Coverage: €10,000,000
AXA Schengen
Cheapest Schengen-compliant option
€22/trip
Coverage: €30,000
Allianz Travel
Most comprehensive coverage
€45/trip
Coverage: €1,000,000+
Check Your Complete Trip Readiness
Use our free checker tool to find out exactly what you need for your trip across both the UK and Europe: UK ETA, ETIAS, insurance requirements, 90/180-day calculator, and a personalized checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both ETIAS and UK ETA if I visit London and Paris?
Yes. The UK and the Schengen Area are completely separate jurisdictions with their own travel authorization systems. If you plan to visit London (UK) and Paris (Schengen/France), you need a UK ETA for the London portion and an ETIAS for the Paris portion. Having one does not cover the other.
Can I apply for ETIAS and UK ETA at the same time?
You can apply for both in the same sitting, but they are separate applications through separate systems. The UK ETA is applied for through the UK ETA smartphone app, while ETIAS will be applied for through the official EU ETIAS portal. Each has its own fee.
What if I am transiting through the UK to reach Europe?
If you are passing through UK border control (e.g., connecting at Heathrow with a layover that requires re-entering the airport), you need a UK ETA even for transit. If your transit is airside (you stay in the international zone and do not clear UK immigration), you may not need one -- but check the specific rules for your nationality.
Is Ireland part of the UK or the Schengen Area?
Neither. Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is an EU member but is NOT part of the Schengen Area and is NOT part of the United Kingdom. Ireland has its own immigration policy. Many nationalities do not need a visa or travel authorization for Ireland. Check separately.
Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes. Since Brexit, EU/EEA citizens are treated as third-country nationals by the UK. All EU passport holders (French, German, Italian, Spanish, etc.) need a UK ETA to visit the United Kingdom as of February 2026.
How much does it cost to visit both Europe and the UK?
In terms of authorization fees: ETIAS costs EUR 20 and UK ETA costs GBP 20, for a combined total of approximately EUR 43 / USD 47. Travel insurance (strongly recommended for both) starts from around EUR 38. So the minimum document/insurance prep cost is roughly EUR 80-100.