ETIAS is not live yet · expected Q4 2026

ETIAS myths: what travellers are getting wrong before launch

ETIAS has not launched, so rumour is filling the gap. Here are the claims we see most often, each one checked against the official EU position.

By the ETIAS Pro editorial teamChecked against official EU sourcesHow we keep this accurateLast reviewed: 30 May 2026

The short version

Most ETIAS confusion comes down to a handful of wrong assumptions. ETIAS is not live, it is not a visa, the official fee is expected to be €20, and no website can issue it before the EU system opens in the last quarter of 2026.

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

The most common ETIAS myths, corrected

Each card below pairs a claim we see circulating online with what the official EU sources actually say. If something here contradicts a site asking for your money today, trust the correction.

MythETIAS is already live.

Reality: It is not. Applications are not open. ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026, with the exact date still to be confirmed.

MythETIAS is a visa.

Reality: It is a travel authorisation linked to your passport, not a visa. Many people search for an “ETIAS visa”, but the two are different things.

MythThe ETIAS fee is €7.

Reality: The official fee is expected to be €20. The €7 figure is from older proposals and is out of date.

MythOnly travellers aged 18 to 70 need ETIAS.

Reality: Every traveller is expected to need ETIAS. Under-18s and over-70s are expected to be exempt from the fee, but still need the authorisation itself.

MythChildren do not need ETIAS.

Reality: Children of any age are expected to need their own ETIAS, including babies. A parent or guardian can apply on their behalf. More on children.

MythETIAS asks for medical information.

Reality: It does not ask for health records or medical history. The background questions cover security and immigration matters, not your health.

MythEvery European country needs a separate ETIAS.

Reality: One ETIAS is expected to cover all 30 participating countries. The 90-days-in-180 stay limit is shared across the whole area, not per country.

MythETIAS lasts five years.

Reality: It is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

MythETIAS guarantees entry.

Reality: It is permission to travel to the border, not a guarantee of admission. The border officer still makes the final decision on entry.

MythETIAS replaces the 90/180 rule.

Reality: It does not change it. You can still only stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. How the rule works.

MythAn official-looking website can issue ETIAS now.

Reality: No one can issue ETIAS before launch. When it opens, the only official route is the EU system at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.

MythIf ETIAS is refused, you can just apply for a Schengen visa instead.

Reality: A refusal is not a visa route. The notice should explain the reason and how to appeal. A Schengen visa is a separate process for travellers who are not visa-exempt.

Why these myths spread

Two things drive the confusion. ETIAS has been delayed more than once, so old dates and old fees keep resurfacing. And because the system is valuable to search for but not yet open, copycat sites repeat half-truths to look authoritative. When in doubt, check the date on what you are reading and compare it with the current ETIAS status.

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ETIAS myths: 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.

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.

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.

How long will ETIAS last?

An approved ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.

What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?

ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.

Get ready for ETIAS before it becomes mandatory

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