Traveling to the UK and the EU on the Same Trip
A trip that includes both the United Kingdom and the Schengen Area means dealing with two separate systems. What you need, and when.
Two systems, no overlap
The United Kingdom left the EU, and its border rules are independent of the Schengen Area's. An authorization for one has no bearing on the other. A traveler visiting London and then Paris on the same trip is entering two separate jurisdictions and must satisfy each on its own terms. See UK ETA and ETIAS for a closer comparison of the two systems.
For the United Kingdom: the ETA
Visa-exempt visitors to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. It currently costs £20, is valid for two years or until the passport expires, and allows multiple visits of up to six months. British and Irish citizens do not need one. Apply through the official UK ETA app before you travel.
For the Schengen Area: EES now, ETIAS soon
Two things apply on the Schengen side. The Entry/Exit System, fully operational since April 2026, registers non-EU visitors biometrically — a facial image and fingerprints — at the external border; it has no fee and nothing to apply for in advance. ETIAS, the pre-travel authorization, is expected to launch late in 2026; it will cost €20, be valid for three years or until the passport expires, and must be obtained online before travel. Until ETIAS launches, visa-exempt visitors need only their passport and EES registration to enter Schengen for a short stay.
The 90 days are separate
Time in the UK does not count against the Schengen 90/180 allowance, and time in Schengen does not count against UK stays. Each is tracked independently. A long trip split across both does not combine into a single clock. See the Schengen 90/180-day rule for how that count works.
Ireland is different again
Ireland is in neither the Schengen Area nor the UK's ETA scheme. It forms part of the Common Travel Area with the UK and sits outside Schengen, so its entry rules stand apart from both systems. Check Ireland's own requirements if your trip includes it.
Planning a combined trip
The practical sequence is straightforward: secure the UK ETA before you travel, be ready for EES registration at the Schengen border, and — once it is live — obtain ETIAS before the Schengen leg. Budget for both authorizations and apply for each through its official channel only.
Sources
The UK ETA — gov.uk; the European Commission — Entry/Exit System; the official ETIAS portal.
About this page
This page provides general information only and is not immigration or legal advice.