Key Takeaways:
- ETIAS starts in the last quarter of 2026 - The European Union’s new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will start in the last quarter of 2026 and apply to visitors from more than 60 visa-exempt countries.
- ETIAS is not a visa, but still required - ETIAS isn’t a traditional visa, but it is a mandatory pre-travel authorisation that travellers must apply for before entering most European countries.
- Valid for three years - Approval lasts for three years or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first, and can be used for multiple short-term visits.
- Covers 30 Schengen-area nations - ETIAS applies across the Schengen Zone and associated states, including popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Greece.
- Linked to Europe’s new border systems - ETIAS is part of the EU’s wider border upgrade, working alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES) to modernise immigration checks.
- €20 application fee (with exemptions) - Travellers to the EU must pay a non-refundable €20 for ETIAS, increased from the original €7 proposal. Children under 18 and seniors over 70 are exempt.
ETIAS Explained: Europe’s New Travel Authorisation Coming in 2026
For decades, travellers from visa-free countries like Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom have enjoyed effortless entry to Europe. Buy a ticket, grab your passport, and you’ll be on your way. From 2026, however, the process won’t be quite as straightforward.
The European Union is introducing a new system called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS. It’s a digital pre-clearance process designed to tighten security and modernise border checks across the continent.
While some travellers may see it as just another layer of red tape, ETIAS has major implications for how we plan, book, and experience European travel. Here’s what you need to know.
What is ETIAS?
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is an electronic travel authorisation for citizens of more than 60 countries that currently enjoy visa-free access to Europe. This includes major tourism markets like Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Japan.
ETIAS is not a visa. There are no embassy visits, paper forms, or interviews involved. Instead, travellers complete a quick online application before departure. Once approved, ETIAS is digitally linked to your passport and allows you to enter the Schengen Area—a bloc of 27 countries with open internal borders—for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
It’s best thought of as a security filter. ETIAS screens travellers in advance against EU and international databases, ensuring that those who arrive don’t pose health, security, or migration risks.
ETIAS and Europe’s New Approach to Border Control
The EU has been debating reforms to its border management for years. Several pressures converged to push ETIAS forward:
- Security concerns. Pre-screening helps identify high-risk travellers before they arrive.
- Migration management. Europe continues to face challenges with irregular migration. ETIAS will make it easier to monitor entries from non EU countries and enforce the 90-day rule that already applies to visa-free visitors.
- Public health. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in global travel health monitoring. ETIAS could be used in future outbreaks to track or restrict travel from affected regions.
- Efficiency. Border crossings in Europe can be slow and inconsistent. Digital pre-approval should help streamline checks and reduce congestion.
For policymakers, ETIAS is as much about reassurance as enforcement: showing European citizens that their governments are taking border control seriously while still welcoming millions of tourists.
ETIAS Zone: Countries Where ETIAS Will Apply
ETIAS will apply to travel in 30 European countries, covering the entire Schengen Area plus closely associated states. That means it’s required for trips to:
- Popular holiday destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Portugal
- Nordic countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland
- Central and Eastern European states like Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and Lithuania
- Microstates tied to Schengen, such as Liechtenstein and San Marino
It’s worth noting that ETIAS is tied to Schengen, not strictly the EU. For example, Ireland—an EU member but not part of Schengen—will not require ETIAS. Conversely, Norway and Switzerland, which are outside the EU but inside Schengen, will.
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Who Needs an ETIAS?
ETIAS applies specifically to travellers from visa-exempt countries. These are nations whose citizens can currently enter Europe without a visa for short stays. From 2026, those travellers will need ETIAS approval before boarding.
Some of the most affected countries include:
- Australia
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Singapore
In total, more than 60 countries fall under this category. For many of their citizens, ETIAS will be their first time encountering any formal requirement for European travel.
ETIAS Application Process: Simple But Mandatory
Applying for ETIAS is designed to be quick, inexpensive, and entirely digital. The process looks like this:
- Application. Travellers submit basic personal details (name, date of birth, nationality), passport information, their intended first point of entry into Europe, and answer brief security and health questions.
- Fee. Adults aged 18 to 70 must pay a non-refundable €20 fee. Children and seniors are exempt.
- Processing. Most applications are automatically approved within minutes. Some may take up to four days, and a small minority may require longer if additional checks are triggered.
- Approval. Once granted, ETIAS is electronically linked to your passport. There is no document to print or carry separately.
Airlines, ferry operators, and train services will be responsible for checking that passengers have ETIAS before boarding. Travellers without it will be denied boarding, in the same way airlines already enforce visa policies and Europe tourism rules and regulations.
Core ETIAS Requirements
- Valid passport. Your biometric passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area. If not, you’ll need to renew it first.
- Email address. All approvals and updates are delivered electronically.
- Payment method. A debit or credit card is required to pay the €20 fee.
- Personal information. Full name, nationality, date of birth, and passport details must match your documents exactly.
- Travel details. Applicants may be asked to indicate their first Schengen country of entry.
- Security and health history. The form includes brief questions about criminal records, past travel bans, and public health concerns.
Eligibility is restricted to short-term visits—tourism, business, medical trips, or transit—lasting up to 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS does not permit work, study, or long-term residence.
Cost, Validity, and Exemptions
The ETIAS fee is €20 per application (roughly USD $22 / AUD $33 at current exchange rates), payable online and non-refundable. Children under 18 and seniors over 70 are exempt.
When the system was first announced, the proposed fee was €7, but EU officials later revised it upward, citing the rising cost of developing and maintaining the technology infrastructure behind both ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System. Compared to traditional visa costs—often hundreds of euros—the ETIAS fee is still modest.
Once approved, an ETIAS remains valid for three years or until the associated passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries, provided each visit complies with the 90/180 rule.
How Will ETIAS Affect Travel to Europe?
For most people, ETIAS won’t drastically alter the experience of visiting Europe. The biggest difference comes before departure: travellers must obtain approval in advance. At airports or ferry terminals, staff will confirm that passports are linked to a valid ETIAS, and inside Europe, border checks may be faster as pre-cleared visitors move through biometric gates rather than manual queues.
The real shift is in habits—travellers accustomed to spontaneous visa-free entry will need to factor in an extra step, making last-minute trips ever so slightly more cumbersome.
What ETIAS Means for Australian Travellers
Australians have long been among Europe’s most enthusiastic visitors, taking over a million trips each year in pre-pandemic times. From 2026, they will need ETIAS approval before boarding for tourism, business, or family visits. The process is online, usually fast, and relatively inexpensive, and one ETIAS covers travel across all Schengen countries. However, entry requirements for the UK and Ireland remain separate.
Preparing for ETIAS: Practical Advice
Even though ETIAS is designed to be simple, there are a few practical points to keep in mind:
- Apply early. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Apply at least a week before departure.
- Check your passport. ETIAS is tied to your passport; if your passport expires, your ETIAS does too.
- Use the official site. Avoid third-party websites that charge inflated fees.
- Be accurate. Typos in passport numbers or names can cause delays or denials.
- Understand the limits. ETIAS is for short stays only. If you plan to work, study, or stay long-term, you’ll still need a visa.
ETIAS doesn’t impose a full visa regime, but it does add a digital layer of control that reflects Europe’s security concerns, technological ambitions, and desire for smoother border management. But if you prepare early, keep your documents in order, and treat the application as part of your pre-trip planning, it’s unlikely to be more than a minor inconvenience.
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