European Travel Information and Authorisation System

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 (including EFTA countries), as well as Cyprus. ETIAS is planned to cost €7 for applicants between ages 18 and 70, and to remain valid for three years or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever is sooner.^[1] ETIAS is planned to come into force in the last quarter of 2026, approximately a year after implementation of the Entry/Exit System.^[2]

ETIAS Area

Map of Europe   Schengen Area   Countries with open borders to the Schengen area   Member of the EU committed by treaty to join the Schengen Area in the future
Policy of	European Union
Type	Electronic travel authorisation system area
Expected implementation	Last quarter of 2026
Applicable countries	30 countries +4 countries and 1 territory indirectly  Austria  Belgium  Bulgaria  Cyprus[a]  Croatia  Czech Republic  Denmark[b]  Estonia  Finland[c]  France[d]  Germany  Greece  Hungary  Iceland  Italy  Latvia  Liechtenstein  Lithuania  Luxembourg  Malta  Netherlands[e]  Norway[f]  Poland  Portugal[g]  Romania  Slovakia  Slovenia  Spain[h]  Sweden  Switzerland indirectly:  Akrotiri and Dhekelia[i]  Andorra[j]  Monaco[k]  San Marino[j]  Vatican City[j]

Dimitris Avramopoulos at the press conference in Brussels for the proposal for ETIAS

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."^[3] It is not a visa,^[4][5] and it does not guarantee entry.^[6]

ETIAS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2016^[7] and was formally established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 12 September 2018.^[8][9] 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.^[10][11]

ETIAS is similar to other electronic travel authorisation systems, such as the United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)^[12] and the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Applicable nationalities

Main article: Visa policy of the Schengen Area

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. Ireland, which is part of the Common Travel Area, is the only member state of the European Union that continues to have its own visa policy and does not plan to join the Schengen Area or to require ETIAS.^[13]

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.^[14][15]

As of entering into use, ETIAS will be required from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (Annex II)^[16] 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; family members of EU/Schengen nationals 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.^[8]

As of 2025^[update], holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories would match the ETIAS criteria:^[17]

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[l]  United States  Uruguay  Venezuela

Application process

All prospective visitors will need to complete an online application, and those between ages 18 and 70 must pay a fee of €7.^[14] It is estimated that 1.4 billion people will need to apply.^[6] 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.^[18][1] If approved, the authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the travel document, whichever is earlier.^[1]

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.^[19]

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.^[20]

See also

• Visa policy of the Schengen Area
• Entry/Exit System
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (United States)
• Electronic Travel Authority (Australia)
• Electronic Travel Authorization (Canada)
• New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (United Kingdom)

Notes

1. Excluding Northern Cyprus.
2. Including the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are outside the Schengen Area but maintain travel without border control with the Schengen Area and use the same list of visa-exempt nationalities.
3. Including Åland.
4. Excluding Overseas France.
5. Excluding the Dutch Caribbean.
6. Excluding Svalbard and dependencies.
7. Including Azores and Madeira.
8. Including the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and plazas de soberanía.
9. Maintains open borders with Cyprus and applies the same visa requirements.
10. Accessible only from the Schengen Area, with open borders.
11. Accessible only from the Schengen Area, with open borders, or by sea with the same visa requirements.
12. Including all classes of British nationality, and except those benefitting from the Brexit withdrawal agreement