ETIAS Explained: The EU Travel Authorisation for Visitors

ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a travel authorisation that visa-exempt travellers will need to enter 30 European countries. It is not a visa: you apply online, pay a fee, and the authorisation is linked to your passport.

It is not in operation yet. The official ETIAS website says no applications are being collected, and that the EU will announce the specific start date several months before launch. The EU's news articles of July 2025 (visa-exempt travellers) and April 2026 (UK nationals) said ETIAS would be needed from the last quarter of 2026. No start date had been announced when we checked in October 2026.

Who will need ETIAS

ETIAS applies to nationals of the visa-exempt countries and territories the EU lists, who plan a short-term stay in any of the 30 European countries requiring it. The EU's April 2026 article says that besides the United Kingdom, this covers the nationals of 58 other countries, such as the US, Canada and Australia.

The 30 countries are the 29 countries of the Schengen area plus Cyprus. The EU says time spent in Cyprus is calculated separately and does not count towards the 90 days you are allowed in the other countries.

You do not need ETIAS if you are a citizen of one of the countries requiring it or of Ireland, whatever other nationality you hold; you must then travel on that country's passport. Among others, holders of a residence card issued by any of the countries requiring ETIAS or by Ireland, holders of a residence permit issued by any of them except Cyprus, and holders of a uniform visa or a national long-stay visa do not need ETIAS either. UK nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement and hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document in the uniform format are also exempt. Two exceptions: documents issued by Ireland do not exempt you, and documents issued by Cyprus only cover travel to Cyprus. Our guide for UK citizens covers those cases.

What it lets you do

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation you can enter these countries as often as you want for short stays, normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You must hold a valid authorisation for your whole stay.

It does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard checks your passport and other documents and verifies that you meet the entry conditions. The EU's checklist also says your passport must be valid for three months after your intended departure, with exceptions.

To count days against the 90/180 rule, use our Schengen calculator.

How long it lasts

An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years, or until the passport you used in your application expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETIAS. You must carry the same passport you applied with: otherwise you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter.

How to apply

When ETIAS starts, you will apply on the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile application. You will need your travel document, a payment card and your personal information, including your name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents' first names, email address and phone number. Applications for minors (under 18) must be submitted by a person with parental authority or legal guardianship.

Fee. Applying costs EUR 20, up from an earlier EUR 7. The EU's July 2025 news article says the increase, put forward by the European Commission, aims to cover the system's operational costs, taking into account the rise in inflation since the previous fee was set and the system's increased functionalities, and brings the fee in line with similar schemes such as the UK ETA and the US ESTA. Applicants under 18 or above 70 are exempt from paying, and so are family members of an EU national who meet the conditions for family member status.

Intermediaries. Someone else, such as a friend, a family member or a travel agency, can apply for you if you authorise them; you both sign a declaration of representation. The EU says applying directly costs EUR 20 and that any extra fee charged on top goes to the intermediary, and advises you to be careful whom you make payments to or share your personal data with.

Processing time

The EU says most applications are processed within minutes. If yours takes longer, you will get a decision within four days. That can be extended by up to 14 days if you are asked for more information or documents, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview, so the EU advises applying well before you travel, before you buy your ticket or book accommodation.

You receive an email confirming your application, with a unique application number to keep, and a second email with the outcome. If you are refused, the email gives the reasons and explains how to appeal.

ETIAS with limited validity

If you need to travel for humanitarian reasons or to fulfil important obligations, and you expect your application may not be accepted or your authorisation has already been refused, annulled or revoked, you can request an ETIAS travel authorisation with limited validity after submitting an application. It is decided by the national authorities, covers only the countries named in it, and can last up to 90 days from your entry into those countries.

ETIAS and the EES

ETIAS is separate from the Entry/Exit System (EES), which has recorded non-EU visitors' entries and exits at the external borders since it became fully operational on 10 April 2026. The EU says that, depending on your situation, the EES also collects information from ETIAS, in particular the status of your ETIAS travel authorisation.