ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

Is ETIAS running yet?

The European Commission says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being collected. The EU will announce the start date several months before launch ¹.

EU home affairs ministers endorsed a revised timeline on 5 March 2025. ETIAS is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, after the Entry/Exit System ⁵. The start will be followed by transitional and grace periods lasting at least 12 months in total ⁵.

The phase-in

• Transitional period of at least six months: you should apply, but you will not be refused entry without ETIAS if you meet all other conditions ⁶.
• Grace period of at least six months: you must have ETIAS, except first-time visitors since the transitional period ended ⁶.

Who will need ETIAS

Nationals of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories will need ETIAS for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in 30 European countries ⁵. UK nationals will need it for short stays ³.

Some visa-required nationals will use ETIAS in limited cases, such as recognised refugees and stateless people living in an ETIAS country or Ireland, and some school pupils on school trips ³.

Who will not need it

• Nationals of a European country requiring ETIAS, or of Ireland, including dual nationals, who must travel on that passport ³
• Nationals of Andorra, San Marino and Monaco, and holders of a Vatican City or Holy See passport ³
• Holders of a residence card or residence permit from an ETIAS country, with limits for Cyprus ³
• Holders of a uniform visa or national long-stay visa ³
• UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement with a residence document in the uniform format ³

Cost and how to apply

The Commission set the fee at €20, up from the €7 first planned ². Applicants under 18 or over 70 do not pay, nor do qualifying family members of EU nationals ⁴.

You will apply online through the official ETIAS website or app, with a travel document and a payment card ⁴. The document must not expire within three months and must be less than 10 years old ⁴. Most applications are expected to get a decision within minutes ².

Validity

An ETIAS travel authorisation will be valid for 3 years or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first ⁷. All visa-free travellers need one, whatever their age ⁷.

Unofficial ETIAS websites

The EU warns that dozens of unofficial ETIAS websites already exist, often pretending to give official information ⁸. The official site is https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias, and the EU does not issue authorisations or licences to commercial intermediaries ⁸.

Intermediaries are allowed to apply for others, but applying on the official site will cost €20 and any extra charge goes to the intermediary ⁷.