ETIAS in 2026: who needs it, what it costs, when it starts

As of 29 September 2026, ETIAS isn't in operation and no applications are being collected. The official ETIAS website (opens in a new tab) says the EU will announce the start date several months before launch, and no date has been announced. When it starts, visa-exempt visitors will need one to travel to 30 European countries. It will cost EUR 20, last three years or until your passport expires, and be phased in over at least a year. It won't change how your 90 days are counted.

When does it start?

Nobody can say yet. The official site and the European Commission both say only that the date will be announced several months in advance. Under the ETIAS Regulation, the Commission sets the date once technical and legal conditions are met, and publishes its decision in the EU's Official Journal.

Who will need it

You'll need an ETIAS if you aren't an EU citizen, you're a citizen of one of the 59 countries and territories whose nationals don't need a visa for a short stay, and you don't hold a qualifying residence card or permit. That includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. It covers the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus.

You won't need one if you:

• Are a citizen of one of those 30 countries or of Ireland, including as a dual national. You must then travel on that passport.
• Hold a residence card or residence permit issued by one of those countries or by Ireland. A permit issued by Cyprus doesn't exempt you when visiting the others.
• Are a national of Andorra, San Marino or Monaco, or hold a Vatican passport.
• Are a UK national covered by the Withdrawal Agreement with a residence document from your EU host country. One issued by Cyprus covers only Cyprus, and there's no exemption if your host country is Ireland.
• Need a visa. You apply for the visa instead.

What it costs

• EUR 20 per application on the official website. The Regulation originally set EUR 7, and the Commission has since raised it.
• No fee if you're under 18 or over 70 when you apply, or a family member of an EU citizen who qualifies for family-member status.
• Not refundable, according to the official FAQ.

How long it lasts

An ETIAS is valid for three years or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first. It's linked to that passport, so if you get a new one you need a new ETIAS, and you must travel with the same passport you used to apply. Most applications are expected to be decided within minutes. Some may take up to four days, or up to 14 more days if you're asked for more information, or up to 30 more days if you're invited to an interview.

The transition period and the grace period

1. Transitional period, at least six months. You should apply, but you won't be refused entry for not having one if you meet all the other entry conditions. The Regulation lets the Commission extend it.
2. Grace period, at least six months. ETIAS becomes a requirement. The only exception is travelers entering for the first time since the transitional period ended, who may still enter without one if they meet the other conditions.

Beware of unofficial websites

The official site warns that there are dozens of unofficial ETIAS websites. Some give wrong information, some use the EU logo to look official, and some already collect travelers' personal data. Agencies may apply on your behalf, but any fee above EUR 20 goes to them, not the EU. Official EU websites end in europa.eu, and the only official ETIAS site is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Since the EU isn't taking applications yet, no website can get you an ETIAS today.

ETIAS doesn't change your 90/180 count

ETIAS is permission to travel, not extra time. With one you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, the same rule as now, with Cyprus counted separately. It doesn't guarantee entry: border guards still check that you meet the conditions. Your entries and exits will still be recorded in the Entry/Exit System, which the EU's EES pages say also records the status of your ETIAS.

So you still need to count your days. Use our free Schengen calculator, read how the 90/180 rule works and what EES changed, or create a free account to keep your trips on record.

Not legal advice. This guide explains the published rules as we understand them on the date above. Rules and how they're applied change, and border officers make the final decision. Check the official sources below, and get professional advice for your own situation.