ETIAS: Europe's New Travel Authorization
Everything you need to know about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
€20 for adults 18-70, free for under 18 and over 70. Valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. 95%+ approved in minutes, apply at least 72 hours before travel. Required for 59 visa-exempt nationalities (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more). ETIAS has not launched and the EU has not set a start date, so nobody can apply yet.
- Cost
- €20
- Validity
- 3 years
- Processing
- Minutes (95%+)
- Countries
- 59 nationalities
ETIAS: a passport, not a visa
ETIAS (European Travel Information & Authorisation System) is a pre-travel screening for visa-exempt visitors entering the Schengen Area. It's not a visa — it's a quick online check, valid for up to three years, that's electronically linked to your passport. Border officers see the result the moment they scan you in at Passkontrolle.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a pre-screening system for visa-exempt travelers visiting Europe's Schengen Area, similar to the US ESTA. Once it launches, citizens of 59 countries will need ETIAS before traveling to any Schengen country.
ETIAS is not yet in operation. In July 2026 the EU withdrew its earlier "last quarter of 2026" target and has not published a new one. A start date will be announced several months in advance.
Key Facts
- Cost
- €20
- Validity
- 3 years
- Processing
- Minutes (95%+)
- Launch
- 2027 (expected)
Free for under 18 and over 70
Or until passport expires
Some cases up to 30 days
No official date confirmed
Get ETIAS launch updates
We’ll email you when ETIAS opens for applications.