Is ETIAS live yet?
The latest status, expected launch timeline, and what travellers should do today.
Current status
ETIAS at a glance
- Status
- Not live yet
- Expected launch
- 2027
- 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
Status today
ETIAS applications are not open. The European Commission has confirmed a launch in 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed, with a transition window before it becomes strictly mandatory for visa-exempt travellers.
Until the official EU system goes live, nobody, including ETIAS Pro, can issue an ETIAS authorisation. Any site claiming otherwise should be treated with extreme caution.
ETIAS status tracker
Last checked: 20 July 2026
- Official status
- Not live yet
- Applications open
- No
- Mandatory at border
- Not yet
- Expected launch
- 2027
- Official fee
- €20 (expected)
What changed
- 20 July 2026ETIAS Pro reviewed official and press sources. No changes to report: ETIAS remains not live, the expected launch window is 2027 (exact date still to be confirmed), the official fee remains €20, and all other facts (validity, stay limit, exemptions) are unchanged. The revised timeline from eu-LISA's September 2026 board meeting remains the next key date to watch.
- 19 July 2026ETIAS Pro reviewed official and press sources. The EU has withdrawn its last-quarter-of-2026 wording, and eu-LISA reportedly considers a 2026 launch no longer feasible. We now describe the expected launch as 2027, with a revised timeline expected from eu-LISA's September 2026 board meeting. Fee, validity and stay rules are unchanged.
- 11 June 2026ETIAS Pro reviewed official sources. ETIAS remains not live, applications are not open, and the expected launch is still the last quarter of 2026.
- 30 May 2026ETIAS Pro reviewed official sources. ETIAS remains not live, and the expected launch is still the last quarter of 2026.
- 10 April 2026The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational across Schengen countries.
- March 2026EU and industry sources continued to point to Q4 2026 for ETIAS operations.
ETIAS launch timeline
Expected 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
2027 (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.
Why ETIAS has been delayed
ETIAS launch has slipped several times since it was first announced, largely because it depends on the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) going live first, plus integration work across 30 countries’ border infrastructure. The current target is a launch in 2027, with a revised timeline expected from the EU in autumn 2026, but the date can move, and we update this page when official sources change their guidance.
What travellers should do now
- Travel as normal. ETIAS doesn’t change anything for travel today.
- Check your passport validity. Most short-stay rules in Europe ask for at least 3 months’ validity beyond your planned return date.
- Sign up for one email below if you want to be told the day applications actually open.
- Don’t pay anyone for ETIAS yet. If a website is asking for payment today, it isn’t legitimate.
When applications may open
The Commission has said it will give clear public notice ahead of applications opening. The current expectation is a launch in 2027, with a revised timeline expected from the EU in autumn 2026, with a transition window before ETIAS becomes mandatory at the borders around six months after launch.
How to get an alert
Use the form below. You’ll get one email when the official ETIAS system opens, plus a heads-up if the official EU timeline materially changes. We’ll never ask for passport details before the official system opens.
Get one email when ETIAS opens
Get one email when ETIAS applications open. No passport details. No payment before launch.
ETIAS status FAQs
Is ETIAS live yet?
No. ETIAS is not live yet. It is expected to start in 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. Until then, no traveller can or should apply for ETIAS.
When does ETIAS start?
The European Commission is currently expecting ETIAS to launch in 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed, with a transition period before it becomes mandatory around six months after launch. 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.
How can I avoid fake ETIAS websites?
Before ETIAS opens, no website can issue ETIAS, full stop. Be cautious of sites using EU branding, flags, or “official” wording, or asking for payment or passport details now. The only official application route will be the EU site at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.
Related pages
ETIAS grace period
How the optional phase works before ETIAS becomes mandatory.
Read →ETIAS application guide
How the ETIAS application form is expected to work.
Read →ETIAS myths
Out-of-date dates and fees, corrected.
Read →Official ETIAS website
Where to apply and how to spot fake sites.
Read →How much will ETIAS cost?
The expected €20 fee and what private services may charge.
Read →
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.