ETIAS for Europe: when it starts, who needs it and what it costs
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The European Union’s new ETIAS travel authorisation is planned to start in the last quarter of 2026. As of 23 October, the official ETIAS site says the system is not operating and no applications are being collected. The EU has not announced a specific launch date and says it will do so several months before launch. Travellers do not need to apply or pay now.
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. It is different from the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is already registering eligible travellers at Europe’s external borders. Knowing which system applies to your passport can help you avoid unnecessary fees and misleading application sites.
Who will need an ETIAS authorisation?
ETIAS is intended for non-EU nationals from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories who travel for a short stay to one of 30 European countries requiring the authorisation. A short stay is generally up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Eligibility depends on nationality, travel document and destination, so check the official list when planning a trip.
ETIAS is not a visa and does not replace one. If your nationality requires a short-stay visa, you must continue to meet the visa requirements; ETIAS is for travellers who are visa-exempt. A travel authorisation also does not guarantee entry: border officials retain the final decision under the entry rules.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The published direct application fee is €20. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying it. A qualifying family member of an EU national is also exempt from the fee under the conditions set by the EU. These are fee exemptions; they do not mean every traveller in those groups is outside ETIAS rules.
Once the system opens, travellers will be able to apply through the official ETIAS website or mobile app. The EU says other websites may offer intermediary services and charge extra. Because no applications are being collected yet, do not pay a site claiming it can issue an ETIAS now. The official domain is europa.eu/etias.
ETIAS and EES: the practical difference
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation that visa-exempt travellers will obtain before departure. EES is an automated border-registration system. It became fully operational on 10 April 2026 at external crossing points in the 29 European countries using it.
EES applies to many non-EU nationals making short stays, whether they need a short-stay visa or can travel visa-free, subject to exemptions such as holding an EU residence permit or a long-stay visa. It records travel-document, entry and exit information and, where required, biometric data. Travellers do not apply for EES separately; registration takes place at the border. EES does not change the 90-days-in-180 short-stay limit.
What travellers should do now
- Check whether your nationality needs a visa or will fall under ETIAS using the EU’s official travel information.
- Do not submit an ETIAS application or pay a fee before the official application system opens.
- Check the EU’s announcement for the exact launch date before travelling later in 2026.
- For a trip before ETIAS starts, follow the existing visa and entry requirements for your passport and destination. EES border registration may still apply.
Read the European Commission’s Smart Borders update, the EU’s ETIAS frequently asked questions and EES traveller guidance. If you hold a British passport, our guide to visa-free travel to 29 countries covers a separate passport-specific question.