Entry Exit System and ETIAS Visa Waiver

EES stands for Entry Exit System. This is a new system for non-EU nationals to electronically register their presence for a short stay in countries such as Switzerland. British passport holders are permitted to stay up to 90 days within any 180 day period.  

A) When you arrive at a border crossing point for the first time from 10 November 2024.

Passport control officers will scan your fingerprints and take a photo of your face. This information will be recorded in a digital file. Your passport will not be stamped. The process can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance via:

- the self-service system, if available at your border crossing point or

- a mobile app - if made available by the country of arrival or departure. We will update this page when more information about availability of these services becomes available.

B) For subsequent border crossings.

If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to go straight to the self-service gates. If not, passport control officers will verify your fingerprints and photo. Data is held for 3 years. After that time - or if your passport expires during that time - you will need to provide new fingerprints and photo when you next cross the border.

The EU official website advises who needs to use the EES, which does include British passport holders going to Switzerland. Other nationalities should check on the website for their own situation.   

The official website will also have a tool to check if your intended trip will cause you to exceed the rule for 90 days within a 180 day period. The link will appear here when it becomes available.

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, a visa waiver system similar to the one in place for entry to the USA.

ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals of 60 countries (including the UK) travelling to any of 30 European countries including Switzerland. It is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  

Other nationalities should check with the Swiss embassy if they need a visa: 0207 616 6000.

It is anticipated that the ETIAS will cost €7 (around £6) for travellers aged 18-70. Children and over 70s will still need to apply for the ETIAS but it is free.  

Once you have your ETIAS, you can enter any of the 30 European countries as often as you want for short stays - up to 90 days in any 180 day period. 

Be sure to carry the same passport used in your ETIAS application or you will not be allowed to travel or enter Switzerland.

Your passport should not expire in less than three months from your date of ETIAS application and it should not be more than 10 years old. 

The application system is not yet in operation. When it becomes available, the link will appear here.

We will offer a link ONLY to the EU official website. We would advise caution in using a 3rd party service as there are already many scam websites in existence.

The majority of applications are processed within 1-4 days.

However, some applicants may be asked to provide additional information which may delay the process.