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Free checker · Official EU lists, checked 20 October 2026

Do I Need ETIAS? Check by Nationality

Only if you hold the passport of one of the 59 visa-exempt countries and territories the EU lists, such as the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, and only once ETIAS starts: it is not in operation yet. If your country is on the EU's visa list, you need a Schengen visa instead. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need neither.

ETIAS is not in operation yet.

“ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”Official ETIAS website, checked 20 October 2026

When it starts, apply only on the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app. The EU warns: “There are many unofficial ETIAS websites. Some falsely claim to accept ETIAS applications or may charge higher fees.” This page takes no applications and no payments.

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Choose your nationality to see whether you will need ETIAS, a Schengen visa or neither, and what the EES means for you.

This answers for an ordinary passport and a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules can apply if you hold a residence permit, a residence card or a long-stay visa, a diplomatic or service passport, or are a refugee or stateless: see the official ETIAS website. Two nationalities? If one is of a country requiring ETIAS or of Ireland, you must travel on that passport. With two others, the passport you travel on decides.

ETIAS, a Schengen visa and the EES

ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Once it starts, nationals of the 59 visa-exempt countries and territories will need it for short stays in 30 European countries: the 29 Schengen countries and Cyprus. You will apply on the official website or app, the fee will be EUR 20 (applicants under 18 or above 70 do not pay), and an authorisation will be valid for three years or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first.

A Schengen visa is for nationals of the 104 countries and entities listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. They apply to the consulate or embassy of the country they are visiting, and do not need ETIAS.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU nationals' entries, exits and refusals of entry at the external borders of the 29 Schengen countries, whether or not they need a visa, instead of stamping passports. The EU says: “This progressive implementation lasted until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES is fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.” Cyprus and Ireland do not use it and still stamp passports manually. Our EES guide covers what is recorded.

With ETIAS or with a visa, a short stay means up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted as a single period for all the Schengen countries. Count your days with our Schengen 90/180 calculator.

Every nationality, by answer

With JavaScript on, select a name to see its full answer above.

ETIAS once it starts (59)

Visa-exempt countries and territories on the official ETIAS website.

Schengen visa required (104)

Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated version of 30 December 2025.

Neither: EU, EEA and Swiss (31)

The 30 European countries requiring ETIAS, and Ireland.

Neither: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican (4)

Visa-exempt and exempt from ETIAS.

Not answered here: Nauru. Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 lists Nauru among the visa-exempt countries, but the official ETIAS list of 59 nationalities does not include it, so the official sources do not settle its answer. Check with the consulate of the country you plan to visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is ETIAS in effect yet, and when does it start?

No. The official ETIAS website says: "ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point." It adds that the EU "will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch." No start date had been announced when we checked on 20 October 2026.

Do US citizens need ETIAS?

Yes, once ETIAS starts. The United States is on the official list of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories whose nationals will need an ETIAS travel authorisation for short stays in the 30 European countries that require it. US citizens do not need a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and since 10 April 2026 the EES registers their entries and exits at the external borders of the Schengen area. Until ETIAS starts there is nothing to apply for.

Do UK citizens need ETIAS?

Yes, once it starts. The official ETIAS website says: "UK nationals are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period)." UK nationals who are Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries and hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document in the uniform format, issued by one of those countries, are exempt. A document issued by Ireland does not exempt you, and one issued by Cyprus only covers travel to Cyprus.

What is the difference between ETIAS and a Schengen visa?

ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation for nationals of the 59 visa-exempt countries and territories, applied for online for EUR 20 and valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The official ETIAS FAQ says it "only allows you to enter and remain on the territory of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay" and does not give you the right to work or to study long-term. A Schengen visa is for nationals of the countries listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, and "travellers with a valid visa do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation."

Does ETIAS cover Norway, Iceland and Switzerland?

Yes. The 30 European countries requiring ETIAS are the 29 Schengen countries, which include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland although they are not in the EU, plus Cyprus. Ireland is not one of them. Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland themselves do not need ETIAS.

ETIAS explained

The EUR 20 fee, who is exempt, how long it lasts and processing times.

Read the guide

Schengen 90/180 calculator

Count your days of stay and find your next possible entry date.

Open the tool

The Entry/Exit System (EES)

What is recorded at the border, who is exempt and how long data is kept.

Read the guide

ETIAS for the Nordic countries

Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland: who needs it and who is exempt.

Read the guide

Sources (checked 20 October 2026)

For guidance only. The EU says a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not guarantee entry: border guards check that you meet the entry conditions when you arrive. Always check the official ETIAS website before you travel.

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