As of September 2026, ETIAS is NOT required to travel to Europe, and it is not yet in operation. ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. The EU had targeted the last quarter of 2026, but the official ETIAS website no longer gives that date. It now says only that the start date will be announced several months before launch, and press reports point to 2027 at the earliest. After launch, a transitional period and a grace period of at least six months each apply before ETIAS is fully enforced. Until then, no traveller needs an ETIAS and no official applications are being accepted, so no website can submit a real ETIAS application today.
Is ETIAS required now to travel to Europe?
No. You do not need ETIAS to travel to the Schengen Area or the wider group of 30 European countries in September 2026. The official EU ETIAS website (travel-europe.europa.eu) states that ETIAS is “currently not in operation” and that the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. No date has been announced yet. Once ETIAS starts, it will not be enforced immediately. First comes a transitional period of at least six months: travellers should apply, but those without an ETIAS will not be refused entry if they meet all other entry conditions. A grace period of at least six months follows. In short, if you are travelling to Europe today, you continue to enter under the existing rules, and visa-exempt nationalities need no advance travel authorisation.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. It is aimed at nationals of roughly 59 visa-exempt countries — such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many others — who currently enter Europe for short stays without a visa. Once ETIAS is live, eligible travellers will complete a quick online application before departure, and the authorisation will be electronically linked to their passport. It does not replace a visa for nationalities that already need one, and it does not change the 90-days-in-180 short-stay limit.
When does ETIAS launch and become mandatory?
The official position, per EU sources, is:
- Launch date: not yet set. ETIAS is currently not in operation. The official website no longer gives the earlier “last quarter of 2026” target, and the EU says it will announce the exact start date several months before launch. Press reports since July 2026 point to 2027 at the earliest.
- Transitional period (at least 6 months after launch): travellers should apply, but anyone without an ETIAS will not be refused entry as long as they meet all other entry conditions.
- Grace period (at least 6 more months): an ETIAS is required. The only exception is travellers entering for the first time since the transitional period ended, who may enter without one. After that, ETIAS is fully mandatory.
Because these dates can shift, always confirm the current status on the official EU ETIAS website before you travel. As of this update (September 2026), the correct answer to "do I need ETIAS?" is not yet.
How much does ETIAS cost?
The ETIAS fee is EUR 20. This figure was announced by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs on 17 July 2025 (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411), raising the fee from the EUR 7 fixed in the original 2018 ETIAS Regulation. The fee applies to applicants aged 18 to 70; travellers under 18 and over 70 are exempt and pay nothing. Once granted, an ETIAS authorisation is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple short-stay entries during that period.
ETIAS vs the EES — don't confuse them
ETIAS is frequently mixed up with the EES (Entry/Exit System). They are two different things:
| ETIAS | EES (Entry/Exit System) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Online travel authorisation obtained before you fly | Biometric border check on arrival/departure |
| When you act | Before travel, via an online application | At the border — nothing to apply for in advance |
| Status in 2026 | Not in operation — no official launch date yet | Fully operational since 10 April 2026 (phased start 12 October 2025) |
| Cost | EUR 20 (under-18s and over-70s exempt) | Free (part of the border check) |
For the full picture on the biometric border system that is already live, read our EES 2026 guide.
What documents do I still need for my trip?
ETIAS (when it arrives) will not replace the standard entry requirements. Whether you travel now or after ETIAS becomes mandatory, border officers can still ask any non-EU visitor for proof of onward or return travel, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you also need a flight itinerary, hotel booking and travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, as required by Article 15 of the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009). A verifiable flight reservation and hotel confirmation remain part of every complete application and a common request at the border.
How Onward Itinerary helps
While ETIAS is a system you'll apply for online directly with the EU once it launches, the supporting travel documents your application and border crossing require are exactly what Onward Itinerary prepares — each carrying Live QR Verification so an embassy or immigration officer can scan and confirm it instantly:
- A verifiable flight reservation / onward ticket from $10 per passenger.
- A hotel booking confirmation that matches your travel dates.
- A complete visa file — flight, hotel, insurance arrangement page (not a policy) and cover letter — ready for submission.
Note: Onward Itinerary does not process ETIAS applications. When ETIAS launches, apply only through the official EU portal to avoid scam sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ETIAS required now to travel to Europe in 2026?
No. As of September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation and not required. The EU has not yet announced a launch date and says it will do so several months in advance. Full enforcement follows a transitional period and a grace period of at least six months each.
When does ETIAS become mandatory?
No date has been set yet. The official EU website no longer gives the earlier last-quarter-of-2026 target and says the start date will be announced several months before launch (press reports point to 2027 at the earliest). After launch, a transitional period of at least six months and a grace period of at least six months apply before ETIAS is fully mandatory.
How much does ETIAS cost?
The ETIAS fee is EUR 20 for applicants aged 18 to 70. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are exempt from the fee.
How long is an ETIAS authorisation valid?
An approved ETIAS is valid for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple short-stay entries during that time.
Who needs an ETIAS?
Nationals of around 59 visa-exempt countries — including the US, UK, Canada and Australia — who travel to Europe for short stays will need an ETIAS once it is mandatory. It does not apply to travellers who already require a Schengen visa.
Is ETIAS the same as a visa?
No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. It does not replace a Schengen visa for nationalities that need one, and it does not change the 90-days-in-180 short-stay limit.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. ETIAS is not yet in operation and the official EU website is not accepting applications, so no website can submit a real ETIAS application today. Once ETIAS launches, apply through the official EU ETIAS website or app, where the fee is EUR 20.