ETIAS 2026: check if you’ll need Europe’s new travel authorisation
ETIAS is not live yet. It is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. Check your passport and destination now, then get one email when applications open.
Or get one email when ETIAS opens. No passport details, no payment.
- No passport details today
- No payment before launch
- Independent private service
- Official fee expected to be €20
ETIAS is not live yet. The European Commission expects ETIAS to start in the last quarter of 2026, followed by a transition period before it becomes mandatory for visa-exempt travellers.
ETIAS status today
Not live yet: expected Q4 2026
ETIAS applications are not open. The European Commission is pointing to a launch in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition window before it becomes strictly mandatory.
See latest ETIAS status →ETIAS at a glance
- Status
- Not live yet
- Expected launch
- Last quarter of 2026
- Applications open
- Not yet
- Official fee
- Expected €20
- Validity
- 3 years or until passport expiry
- Stay limit
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official application route
- Official EU ETIAS website / app when live
- Private help
- ETIAS Pro may offer optional support when applications open
ETIAS 2026 timeline
Source: official EU page →- 1✓ Done
EES rollout
12 October 2025
The EU Entry/Exit System began its progressive rollout at Schengen borders.
- 2✓ Done
EES operational
10 April 2026
EES became fully operational, replacing passport stamps with digital records.
- 3Now
Today
Now
ETIAS is not open. No application is required. Travel as normal.
- 4
ETIAS launch
Q4 2026 (expected)
ETIAS becomes operational. Applications open through the official EU website.
- 5
Transition, then mandatory
After launch
A transition window is expected before ETIAS is strictly required at the border.
Will you need ETIAS?
A quick, conservative check based on your passport, destination and travel year. We don’t ask for passport numbers or payment. That won’t change until ETIAS actually opens.
Check my ETIAS requirementWhat the checker asks
- Which passport will you travel on?
- Where in Europe are you going?
- What year are you travelling?
You get a clear result and an optional email alert. No accounts. No personal documents.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is not a visa, but many travellers call it the new Europe visa waiver or ETIAS visa. Once live, visa-exempt travellers will need it before visiting participating European countries for short stays.
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation, broadly similar to the US ESTA system or the UK ETA. It is linked to your passport and is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, allowing stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.
ETIAS, EES, UK ETA and US ESTA: the quick difference
| Feature | ETIAS | EES | UK ETA | US ESTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Pre-travel authorisation | Border entry and exit record | Pre-travel authorisation | Pre-travel authorisation |
| Who runs it | European Union | European Union | UK government | US government |
| Where you do it | Online, before you travel | At the Schengen border | Online, before you travel | Online, before you travel |
| Cost | Expected €20 | Free | Around £20 | Around US$40 |
| Who and where | Visa-exempt visitors to Europe | Non-EU visitors to Europe | Visa-exempt visitors to the UK | Visa Waiver visitors to the US |
| Live yet? | Not yet, expected Q4 2026 | Yes, since April 2026 | Yes | Yes |
Who will need ETIAS?
Visa-exempt travellers from countries like the UK, US, Canada and Australia are expected to need ETIAS for short trips to ETIAS countries once the system goes live. EU, EEA and Swiss passport holders do not need ETIAS.
Read by nationality
Country-specific guides for the largest groups of visa-exempt travellers.
Who does not need ETIAS?
- EU, EEA and Swiss passport holders, who have free movement.
- Travellers who already need a Schengen visa.
- Holders of an EU residence permit or long-stay national visa.
- Irish citizens, and UK citizens travelling to Ireland (Common Travel Area).
Not sure if ETIAS applies to you?
Most travellers fall into one of three cases. See the quick guide, then check your own passport and destination.
Countries using ETIAS
ETIAS covers 30 European countries: every Schengen country, plus Cyprus. A single ETIAS is valid for all of them, and the 90-day stay limit is shared across the whole area.
Popular ETIAS destinations
See destination-specific guides for the most-searched ETIAS countries.
See all 30 ETIAS countries
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Stay safe
Avoid fake ETIAS websites
ETIAS is not open yet, so no website can issue it today. Be wary of any site that takes applications or payment now, uses official-looking branding, or hides the €20 fee.
Apply for ETIAS
Applications are not open yet. When ETIAS opens, travellers should be able to apply directly through the official EU system. ETIAS Pro may offer optional private application support for travellers who want help checking details, managing family applications, or avoiding mistakes.
Until the official system launches, no website, including this one, can issue ETIAS.
Official vs private
ETIAS Pro is a private information and assistance service. We are not the European Union and we cannot issue ETIAS. The official application route will always be through the EU system. Using a private service like ours is optional. It is useful if you want help checking eligibility, managing reminders or preparing applications.
Our guides are written by the ETIAS Pro editorial team and reviewed regularly against official EU sources, so the dates and fees you read here stay current. See how we keep this accurate.
ETIAS FAQs
Is ETIAS live yet?
No. ETIAS is not live yet. It is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. Until then, no traveller can or should apply for ETIAS.
When does ETIAS start?
The European Commission is currently expecting ETIAS to launch in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition period before it becomes mandatory in 2027. Dates have moved before and may move again, so we update this page when official sources change their guidance.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. The official ETIAS system is not open yet, so it is not possible for anyone to apply. Any website claiming to issue ETIAS today is not legitimate.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The official ETIAS fee is expected to be €20. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee, though they will still need an ETIAS. Private services may charge a separate, optional service fee for help with the application.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, UK citizens travelling for short stays to participating European countries are expected to need an ETIAS authorisation linked to their British passport. They will not need ETIAS for Ireland (Common Travel Area).
Do US citizens need ETIAS?
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, US passport holders travelling for short stays (under 90 days) to ETIAS countries are expected to need an ETIAS authorisation. It will work in a similar way to ESTA, but it is a separate system for Europe.
Is ETIAS a visa?
Technically no. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Many travellers search for “ETIAS visa” or “Europe visa waiver”. The closest comparison is the US ESTA system. You still need a valid passport, and ETIAS does not guarantee entry: border officers always make the final decision.
Is ETIAS Pro official?
No. ETIAS Pro is a private information and assistance service. We are not affiliated with the European Union, Frontex or any government. When ETIAS opens, you will be able to apply directly through the official EU ETIAS website or app.
Can I apply directly through the EU?
Yes. When the official ETIAS system opens, every traveller will be able to apply directly through the official EU website or app at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Using a private service is always optional.
Why might I use a private ETIAS support service?
Some travellers prefer help with form-filling, managing multiple family applications, reminders for renewal, or a second pair of eyes on details like passport expiry. A private service is optional, and travellers should expect to pay both the official €20 fee and any separate service fee.
Last reviewed: 30 May 2026
Get ready for ETIAS before it becomes mandatory
ETIAS is not live yet. Check whether you’re likely to need it and get one email when applications open.