Visas & entry

Schengen and the EU: the rules for UK travellers

Schengen area & EU travel photo — Schengen area & EU · photo from the Waymark library

UK passport, holidayNo visa neededChecked 22 October 2026 · FCDO updated 19 October 2026

No visa for holidays. British citizens get 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. Since October 2025 the Entry/Exit System takes your fingerprints and photo on your first visit. ETIAS, a €20 online pass, is expected from late 2026.

No visa needed
Apply online before you go
Visa on arrival
Visa in advance

RatingNo visa needed

Emergency number112

Official advice updated19 October 2026

Areas covered5 on this page

Brexit turned Europe from 'just go' into 'just go, but count'. The 90/180 rule is the one that trips people up. It's a rolling window, so on any day you look back 180 days and add up every day spent anywhere in Schengen. Overstaying can bring a ban of up to 3 years.

What you need at the border

PassportNo visa needed
Issued less than 10 years before you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave. Passports renewed before October 2018 sometimes fall foul of this.
EES registration (since 12 Oct 2025)No visa needed
Free. Fingerprints and a photo at a kiosk on your first entry, then valid for 3 years. Under-12s aren't fingerprinted. Expect longer queues at Dover, the Eurostar and busy airports.
ETIAS (expected late 2026)Apply online before you go
€20 for ages 18 to 70, valid 3 years or until your passport expires. Apply only on the official EU site, as fake sites already exist.
Proof at the borderNo visa needed
Border staff can ask for a return ticket, travel insurance, proof of funds and where you're staying.
Cyprus & IrelandNo visa needed
Not in Schengen. Cyprus days don't count towards your 90, and Ireland is in the Common Travel Area with no limit.

How to count your 90 days

Every day you're in Schengen counts, including the day you arrive and the day you leave. Pick any date in your trip, look back 180 days, and the total must be 90 or less. Two weeks in Spain in May and three weeks in Greece in August uses 35 of your 90.

Before you go

Get your passport stamped (or EES-registered) every time you enter and leave.
Keep your boarding passes as proof of dates.
Emergency number across the EU: 112.

Official advice: FCDO entry requirements for Schengen area & EU

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Questions people ask

Do I need ETIAS now?

Not yet. The EU expects to launch it in late 2026, followed by a transition period. When it starts, apply on the official EU website only. It costs €20.

Does the 90-day limit reset when I go home?

No. It's a rolling 180-day window. Going home just stops more days from adding up.

Which countries are in the Schengen area?

29 countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Ireland and Cyprus aren't.

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Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.