There is much to consider when planning where to holiday – beach, city, historic town, or maybe something more adventurous like a rainforest? While looking for the best destinations for your dream holiday is the fun bit, it’s also important to consider your visa obligations as a British citizen. Let’s take a look at visa-free countries for British passport holders.
Which countries are visa-free for British passport holders?
As of 2026, UK passport holders can travel to 141 countries and territories for short periods of time without a visa. This freedom offers a huge amount of flexibility for simple holiday planning without any extra admin. There’s a huge range of countries to explore visa-free, from rainforests to deserts, busy cities to lesser-travelled destinations.
Amongst the 141 visa-free countries for UK passport holders, we can mention:
What countries deliver a visa on arrival?
Visa on arrival refers to the countries that provide visas to travellers when they arrive at the country’s airport or a border checkpoint. A visa on arrival can be issued for short-term purposes like tourism, business meetings or family visits. This approach applies to 33 countries for UK passport holders.
What about the new ETIAS in Europe?
In the last 2026 quarter, the EU will introduce its European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is an electronic travel authorisation – and not a visa – that most British passport holders will need to enter 30 European countries including Portugal, Spain and Greece. UK passport holders will be required to have valid ETIAS travel authorisation for a short-term stay to these countries – that’s 90 days in any 180-day period.
Need to know: The ETIAS application fee will be €20, or approximately £17. Travellers younger than 18, older than 70 or those who are family members of EU citizens are exempt from the application fee. An ETIAS is valid for three years or until the passport used in the application expires, if that is sooner. Find more official informations and follow updates.
Countries with visa requirements for UK citizens
It’s important to note the difference between two types of visas – an eVisa and a regular visa. To get a visa, you usually need to visit an embassy or consulate in person to submit paperwork and sometimes even attend an interview. An eVisa is applied for entirely online. Some countries also allow entry with an ETA, which is not a visa but still adds one step to your travel planning process.
19 countries require a visa
24 countries require an eVisa
12 countries require an Electronic Travel Authorization
Frequently asked questions
Some countries permit extensions through local immigration authorities, while others do not. Extension policies and fees vary by destination. Contact the destination’s immigration office or consulate for exact procedures before attempting to extend your stay.
Some countries may ask for proof of onward travel and sufficient funds at the border. Bring a return or onward ticket and evidence of funds when travelling to avoid being refused entry, even to visa-free destinations.
Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months on arrival, but rules vary. Some accept passports valid for the length of stay only. Confirm the passport-validity requirement for your destination before you travel.
No, visa-free entry is generally for tourism, short business visits or transit only. It does not permit paid work or long-term study. Apply for the relevant work or student visa if you plan to work or study.
Children follow the same visa and authorisation rules as adults for each country, though some schemes (e.g. ETIAS) exempt under-18s from fees. Check the destination’s entry rules and carry supporting documents like birth certificates and parental consent letters if required.
Use official sources: gov.uk foreign travel advice for the destination, the destination’s embassy or consulate website, and authoritative indexes like visaindex or the destination’s immigration site for up-to-date visa types and entry lengths.
The foregoing article was last updated in February 2026. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency, or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
