Before travelling by ferry between Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, passengers should check whether they need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), whether EU Entry/Exit System (EES) checks apply, and when ETIAS will be required for short stays in Europe.
What is ETA/EES/ETIAS in summary? The UK ETA is a digital permission to travel for many visa-exempt visitors to the UK. EES is the EU’s biometric border registration system for non-EU nationals entering or leaving participating European countries. ETIAS is a future EU travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers and is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026.
Important: Travel rules can change, so passengers should always check the official UK and EU websites before they travel.
Do I need an ETA to travel to the UK?
If you do not need a visa and you are travelling to the UK for a short stay of up to six months, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK, including for tourism, visiting family, short business visits or certain transit journeys.
The UK ETA requirement is being strictly enforced. Passengers who need an ETA but do not have one may not be allowed to board or travel to the UK.
Who does not need a UK ETA?
British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, do not need a UK ETA. However, they should travel with a valid British or Irish passport, or the correct proof of entitlement where required, to avoid disruption at check-in or border control.
How do I apply for a UK ETA?
You can check whether you need an ETA and apply on the official UK government website. Full details on making an ETA application can also be found here.
Travel tip: Apply in advance and make sure you travel using the same passport used for your ETA application.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU’s digital border system for registering non-EU nationals when they enter and leave participating European countries for a short stay. It replaces manual passport stamping and includes biometric checks, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.
This data will be collected on your first trip to the EU and once registered, your EES travel pass will be valid for up to three years, meaning future trips with the same passport will only require a quick fingerprint or photo check.
EES may take extra time at the border, especially during busy travel periods, so passengers should allow additional time when travelling to the EU. On the Dover - Calais route, checks will occur before departure in Dover.
Check the official Entry/Exit System website for the latest details.
What is ETIAS and when will it start?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It will be a travel authorisation for people from visa-exempt non-EU countries, including the UK, who are travelling to 30 European countries for a short stay.
ETIAS is expected to start operations in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required from passengers at this point. Once live, eligible passengers will need to apply online, pay the application fee and receive authorisation before travel. Check the official ETIAS website for the latest information.