After quite a few false begins, the European Journey Info and Authorization System, which might be required to go to most European international locations, will launch in late 2026. However now it would value much more. After initially pricing the ETIAS payment at 7 euros (roughly $8), the European Union not too long ago elevated the price to twenty euros (about $23).
Though typically known as a “visa,” that is truly simply an internet software and preauthorization. Will probably be a lot simpler and far cheaper to acquire than a conventional journey visa.
As of August 2025, the EU’s official ETIAS web site states that the “ETIAS will begin operations within the final quarter of 2026” and that “no motion is required from vacationers at this level.”
“The European Union will inform concerning the particular date for the beginning of ETIAS a number of months previous to its launch,” it says.
When it lastly launches, this system would require vacationers from international locations exterior the Schengen Space to fill out an software earlier than arrival and pay the 20-euro payment to enter most EU or Schengen Space international locations.
What does this imply for future journeys to Europe? Here is the whole lot you should know concerning the upcoming ETIAS program.
What’s ETIAS?
The ETIAS is a visa-waiver program just like the present Digital System for Journey Authorization used for European guests to the U.S.
The shape will act as a preauthorization system to permit vacationers from 59 visa-exempt international locations and territories exterior the Schengen Space — together with the U.Okay. and the U.S. — to enter the area for as much as 90 days inside a 180-day interval and not using a full visa.
The ETIAS will cross-check customer info with authorities databases and watch lists earlier than issuing authorization to enter. It’ll additionally use the data collected in information monitoring for enterprise and tourism functions.
Every day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
“We have to know who’s crossing our borders,” Jean-Claude Juncker, former European Fee president, beforehand stated. “This manner, we’ll know who’s touring to Europe earlier than they even get right here.”
Is ETIAS a visa?
The ETIAS shouldn’t be a conventional European visa and can solely require a seemingly fast on-line software.
Vacationers will fill out an internet type with primary private info, journey plans and historical past earlier than answering just a few safety questions. Most purposes might be accepted in a couple of minutes, but when your software is flagged, it might take as much as 30 days.
Which international locations would require ETIAS?
Vacationers from the next visa-exempt international locations and territories will want an ETIAS authorization earlier than touring to Europe.
These are the 30 international locations that can require incoming vacationers to point out ETIAS approval. New Schengen Space members like Romania and Bulgaria and European Free Commerce Affiliation nations like Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are included.
A number of future Schengen member nations, together with Cyprus, can even require the ETIAS. Although some European principalities and microstates like San Marino and Andorra do not technically require the ETIAS to enter, most vacationers should arrive by a rustic like Italy, France or Spain that does require the authorization. Though Eire is a part of the EU, it’s not a Schengen Space nation and won’t require the ETIAS.
That is the complete record of countries that can require visa-exempt vacationers to have an ETIAS journey authorization to enter:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Do US and UK residents want to use for ETIAS?
Americans (in addition to these from the U.Okay. and the opposite non-EU international locations not presently required to use for visas) will want ETIAS authorization to enter the EU for visits of as much as 90 days. This contains transit passengers.
If in case you have utilized individually for a visa to enter Europe, you’ll not want to finish the ETIAS software.
When will I want to use for ETIAS?
The ETIAS will launch within the final quarter of 2026, someday in or after September 2026.
Nevertheless, the launch might not occur alongside this precise timeline and will even be staggered. The EU has stated that the ETIAS launch might be adopted by a transitional interval of round six months. Inside this era, vacationers ought to apply for ETIAS authorization; it is unlikely you may be refused entry to a rustic throughout your travels so long as you additionally fulfill different entry situations.
These situations embody having a passport that was issued not more than 10 years earlier than the date you enter the EU and has a validity of not less than three months previous the day you depart the EU.
How a lot will ETIAS value?
The ETIAS not too long ago elevated its value to twenty euros (about $23) for a three-year allow that enables “third-country nationals” to enter the Schengen Space for as much as 90 days inside a 180-day interval.
Solely guests between 18 and 70 years previous might want to pay the appliance payment, however vacationers of all ages will want ETIAS authorization to enter.
How do you apply for ETIAS?
Earlier than touring, it’s essential to entry the ETIAS on-line software to enter your passport info, title, date and place of origin, e mail deal with and telephone quantity, plus a credit score or debit card to submit the fee payment.
You may additionally want to supply your vacation spot and reply just a few background and profile questions. The ETIAS web site signifies the shape ought to take about 10 minutes to finish.
Vacationers might be requested to supply particulars of well being, schooling and legal convictions.
Here’s what you will be required to fill out, in keeping with the ETIAS info web site:
- Figuring out info (together with your first title, final title, date and place of origin, and fogeys’ first names)
- Info relating to your citizenship and passport quantity
- Residence deal with
- E-mail and telephone quantity
- Training and work expertise
- Particulars about which ETIAS international locations you will go to and the size of keep
- Background and eligibility questions on journey to conflict international locations or locations the place you have been deported or rejected, in addition to legal data
A authorized guardian should apply for the ETIAS for minors. Relations of EU residents from different international locations are exempt from the ETIAS authorization however should submit proof of relationship, a residence card and different background info.
How lengthy will the approval course of take?
Approval for many candidates ought to take a matter of minutes. Nevertheless, if an merchandise is flagged within the software, a guide evaluation will happen. The applicant can right any improper info or attraction a denial resolution. It is advisable to use for the ETIAS nicely earlier than your journey date, particularly throughout its preliminary rollout when processes are getting ironed out.
“Filling out the appliance is fast and straightforward. Most candidates will obtain their ETIAS journey authorization inside minutes, however in some instances, the method might take as much as 30 days,” in keeping with the EU. “Because of this you need to apply nicely prematurely of your journey to keep away from problems.”
How lengthy does ETIAS final, and can you should apply for every Europe journey?
As soon as accepted, your ETIAS might be legitimate for as much as three years, and you need to use it on a number of journeys. After three years, you may be required to use for a brand new ETIAS.
Is there a renewal course of?
When your ETIAS is coming as much as its expiration date, you need to obtain an e mail on the deal with you registered throughout your software.
You’ll be able to apply for a brand new ETIAS authorization as much as 120 days earlier than the expiration of your present ETIAS.
How will your information be saved?
The European Fee tried to melt privateness fears by insisting that the ETIAS shouldn’t be a visa and features a far much less intrusive software course of.
“Solely authorised customers from the authorities concerned will be capable of entry private information saved within the ETIAS central system, in keeping with their position/duties,” the EU states. “The ETIAS central system doesn’t course of or retain any fee info after the transaction has been processed.”
Backside line
Luckily, Individuals and Brits planning to go to Europe need not take any speedy motion. Nonetheless, they need to bear in mind that the ETIAS is because of launch subsequent yr.
Be ready to undergo yet another step and pay yet another payment within the journey course of as a part of the ETIAS implementation someday in 2026. Keep tuned to TPG for additional developments associated to this program.
The EU additionally plans to roll out its long-delayed “Entry/Exit System” between Oct. 12, 2025, and April 10, 2026. The brand new program will apply to vacationers to the Schengen Space and require them to supply fingerprint and facial biometric information as an alternative of receiving passport stamps.
Associated studying:
