Europe’s new visa waiver rollout has been postponed after delays in the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). Here’s everything you need to know before planning your next trip.
Europe’s planned travel authorisation programme has been delayed once again, meaning travellers will not need to pay the proposed €20 (around £17) ETIAS fee just yet. The expected rollout date has also been removed from the official ETIAS website, indicating that the launch has been pushed back.
ETIAS, short for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a pre-travel authorisation that will apply to visitors from visa-exempt, non-EU countries. This includes British citizens and other eligible travellers who currently do not need a traditional visa to enter most European destinations.
The scheme was originally expected to begin in the final months of 2026 and was designed to work alongside the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). However, delays in the implementation of the EES have reportedly forced the EU to postpone the introduction of ETIAS.
European Union officials have confirmed that the system is not yet operational, and applications for travel authorisation are not being accepted at this time. They have also stated that a confirmed launch date will be announced several months before ETIAS becomes mandatory.
Once introduced, ETIAS will be required for travel to the 29 Schengen Area countries as well as Cyprus, although certain travellers will qualify for exemptions. Until the new system is officially launched, existing entry requirements for eligible visitors remain unchanged.
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What is Etias?
ETIAS is a travel authorisation required for visitors entering the 29 Schengen countries and Cyprus. It applies only to travellers from visa-exempt countries who are visiting for short stays, such as holidays or business trips. Those who already hold a valid visa or a residence permit for an eligible European country will not be required to obtain an ETIAS before travelling. The Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries that have removed routine border checks between one another, allowing travellers to move freely across member states. These countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Cyprus, while not part of the Schengen Area, will also require travellers to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation.
ETIAS is intended for short-term visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is not a visa but a pre-travel authorisation that offers a simpler and faster application process. Travellers will not need to attend an embassy or submit the extensive documentation typically associated with visa applications. Instead, applicants complete an online form, pay the required fee, and in most cases receive a decision within a few minutes.
Is ETIAS mandatory?
ETIAS will apply to travellers from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories who wish to visit the 29 Schengen countries and Cyprus. Eligible nationalities include citizens of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Israel, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and many other visa-exempt nations.
Travellers who are citizens or legal residents of any country covered by the ETIAS scheme will not need to obtain a separate travel authorisation when moving within these participating European destinations. Likewise, anyone travelling with a valid visa issued by an eligible European country is exempt from the ETIAS requirement.
Citizens of Andorra, Ireland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City are also exempt and do not need an ETIAS to travel within the participating countries.
In addition, passengers who are simply transiting through a European airport without entering the country are not required to apply for an ETIAS.
Which countries don’t require an Etias?
Not every European country will require an ETIAS travel authorisation. Countries such as Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine, and Vatican City are outside the ETIAS scheme.
However, travellers should note that reaching some of these destinations may involve passing through an ETIAS-participating country. For example, visitors heading to Vatican City typically enter through Italy, meaning they would still need to meet Italy’s entry requirements, including obtaining an ETIAS once it becomes mandatory.
Can I travel throughout the Schengen zone with an Etias?
Yes. An ETIAS travel authorisation only needs to be obtained once, and it remains valid for travel to all participating countries throughout its validity period.
However, it only permits short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all participating destinations combined. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) will monitor travellers’ arrivals and departures to ensure this limit is not exceeded. If you intend to stay longer than the permitted period, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa before your trip.
Do I need to show my passport in Europe?
Because the Schengen Area operates with largely border-free travel, passengers can generally move between member countries without undergoing routine passport checks. However, some countries may temporarily reintroduce border controls in response to exceptional circumstances, such as increased migration or security concerns.
How long will it take to apply for an Etias?
The ETIAS application process is expected to be similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) used by the United States. Travellers will be able to apply online through an official website or a dedicated mobile app, both of which are expected to become available before the system launches.
To qualify, your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the participating European countries.
When completing the application, you will be required to provide:
- Personal information, including your full name, date and place of birth, nationality, residential address, parents’ first names, email address, and phone number.
- Passport or other travel document details.
- Information about your educational background and current employment.
- Basic details of your planned trip.
- Declarations regarding any criminal convictions, previous visits to conflict or war zones, and whether you have ever been ordered to leave the territory of any country.
After you submit your application, your information will be screened against security and immigration databases maintained by European Union member states, as well as international agencies such as Interpol. Most applications are expected to be processed quickly, with around 95% receiving a decision within minutes.
However, receiving an ETIAS approval does not automatically guarantee entry into the Schengen Area. Border officials will still carry out the necessary checks upon your arrival and make the final decision on your admission. While most ETIAS applications are expected to be approved within minutes, some may require additional review. In such cases, processing could take up to four days, and if further information or an interview is requested, the decision may take as long as 30 days. For this reason, the European Union advises travellers to obtain their ETIAS approval before purchasing flight tickets or making accommodation bookings.
Applicants will receive the outcome of their application by email. If an application is refused, the notification will explain the reason for the decision and provide guidance on how to appeal.
Before departure, airlines and other transport operators may verify that you hold a valid ETIAS travel authorisation. Upon arrival in Europe, immigration officers will check your ETIAS together with your passport or other travel documents before granting entry, provided you meet all other entry requirements.
It is also important to note that an ETIAS is electronically linked to the passport used during the application process. If you renew or replace your passport, you must submit a new ETIAS application using your new travel document.
How much does an Etias cost?
The ETIAS application costs €20 (approximately £17). The travel authorisation is mandatory for all eligible travellers entering participating European countries under the visa-free programme. However, the application fee applies only to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70.
Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 are still required to obtain an ETIAS before travelling but are exempt from paying the fee. Certain family members of European Union citizens may also qualify for a fee exemption, depending on their circumstances.
How long does an Etias last?
An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for up to three years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. However, the authorisation may be suspended or cancelled before its expiry if the relevant authorities determine that the conditions for its validity are no longer met.
When does it start?
The European Union has not yet confirmed an official launch date for ETIAS. Although the system was originally expected to take effect during the final quarter of 2026, its rollout has been delayed due to ongoing implementation challenges with the Entry/Exit System (EES). ETIAS is now expected to become operational sometime in 2027.
When the system is eventually introduced, it will begin with a transitional period lasting at least six months. During this phase, travellers will be encouraged to obtain an ETIAS before travelling, but those who have not yet secured one may still be allowed entry if they meet all other immigration requirements.
The transitional phase will be followed by a grace period. During this time, first-time visitors travelling to Europe without an ETIAS may still be admitted, provided they satisfy all other entry conditions. However, travellers who previously entered Europe during the transitional period without obtaining an ETIAS will no longer qualify for this exemption and may be refused entry if they travel again without a valid authorisation.
How can I avoid Etias scams?
Although ETIAS has not yet gone live, a number of unofficial websites claiming to offer applications or eligibility checks have already appeared online. Many of these platforms are designed to look authentic, but they are not affiliated with the European Union.
Travellers should rely only on information published through official EU channels and submit their applications via the official ETIAS website once the system becomes operational. Keep in mind that the official ETIAS application fee is €20. If a website charges more than this amount for a standard application, it is not the official application portal.
What about travellers coming to the UK?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a mandatory pre-travel requirement for eligible visitors from a number of countries, including most European nations, as well as Australia, Canada, and the United States. Every traveller, regardless of age, including infants and children, must obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK. The authorisation costs £20 and remains valid for two years, or until the passport used for the application expires or is replaced.
An ETA is required for travellers visiting the UK for purposes such as:
- Tourism, business, short-term study, or visiting family and friends for stays of up to six months.
- Short-term work under the Creative Worker visa concession for up to three months.
- Approved paid engagements.
- Transit through the UK when passing through UK border control.
You do not need an ETA if you already hold a valid UK visa, have permission to live, work, or study in the UK, or if you are travelling on a British or Irish passport or a British Overseas Territories citizen passport. Passengers transiting without crossing UK border control are also exempt. In addition, residents of Ireland do not require an ETA because travel between Ireland and the UK falls within the Common Travel Area.
Applications can be completed online through the official GOV.UK website or the dedicated UK ETA mobile app. In most cases, applicants receive a decision within three working days.
