The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area, as well as Cyprus. It is scheduled to come into force in the last quarter of 2026, approximately a year after implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The application fee will be €20 (increased from the originally planned €7) for travellers between ages 18 and 70. Authorisations will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever comes first.
| Policy of | European Union |
|---|---|
| Policy area | Schengen Area |
| Type | Electronic travel authorization |
| Expected implementation | 4Q/2026 |
| Applicable countries | 30 states
|
| Application fee | €20 |
| Validity period | 3 years (multiple entries) |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Administered by | eu-LISA |
| Website | Official website |
According to the European Commission, ETIAS is planned to be implemented "for the identification of security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors." It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry.
ETIAS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2016 and was formally established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 12 September 2018. Due to various reasons, including difficulties in integrating different member states' national systems into a central database, the implementation date has been repeatedly delayed from January 2021.
ETIAS is similar to other electronic travel authorisation systems, such as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in the United Kingdom or the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) in South Korea.
Applicable nationalities
ETIAS is required for entry by land, air and sea to 30 European countries, including the 29 member states of the Schengen Area, as well as Cyprus. The only member state of the European Union that continues to have its own visa policy is Ireland (which does not plan to join the Schengen Area or to require ETIAS).
Visitors who have dual nationality of an EU or Schengen country and of a visa-exempt country (for example, Italy and Canada) will not need ETIAS travel authorisation if they hold a travel document from the EU or Schengen country.
As of entering into use, ETIAS will be required from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (Annex II) except the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.
However, ETIAS will not be required from holders of visas, residence permits, local border traffic permits; EU/Schengen nationals or their family members holding a residence card; refugee or stateless travel documents issued by an EU or Schengen country. Crew members; holders of diplomatic or official passports and airport transit passengers are also exempt.
As of 2025[update], holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories require an ETIAS travel authorisation for entry (all other nationalities require a visa):
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Exemptions
Citizens of the following countries and regions will not require ETIAS:
- European Union
- EFTA
- Andorra
- San Marino
- Monaco
- Holy See
- Foreign citizens holding a:
- Residence permit or a residence card issued by an EU or Schengen country (including British beneficiaries of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement)
- Schengen visa
- Refugee or stateless person travel document issued by a Schengen country.
- Diplomatic, service or special passport (with exceptions)
- Travel document issued by certain intergovernmental organisations (including Council of Europe, EU, ICRC, OECS and UN laissez-passer as well as NATO travel documents)
Application process
All prospective visitors will need to complete an online application, and those between ages 18 and 70 must pay a fee of €20. It is estimated that 1.4 billion people will need to apply. The system is expected to process the vast majority of applications automatically by searching in electronic databases and providing an immediate response, but in some limited cases it may take up to 30 days. If approved, the authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the travel document, whichever is earlier.
Introduction timeline
After ETIAS comes into force, it will commence with a "transitional period" of at least six months, during which time applications will be accepted, but it will not be mandatory to hold an ETIAS in order to travel. Afterwards, there will be a "grace period" of at least six months, where an ETIAS will be required, but those entering the ETIAS zone for the first time since the start of the transitional period will be allowed to enter.
Limited validity ETIAS
Travellers who have been refused an ETIAS or expect their ETIAS may not be accepted may apply for a limited validity ETIAS if they have "humanitarian reasons or important obligations" for their travel. It will be valid only for specified countries and for up to 90 days.
See also
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization – Automated system for United States travel eligibility
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (United Kingdom) – Automated system for travel eligibility to the UK
- Electronic Travel Authority (Australia) – ETA that allows the holder to visit Australia for unlimited times for tourism or business purposes
- Electronic Travel Authorization (Canada) – ETA system for visa-exempt travellers
- Entry/Exit System – European Union electronic system to replace passport stamps
- New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority – ETA system for visa-exempt travellers
- Visa policy of the Schengen Area – Policy of the European Union
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