The way many non-European visitors travel to Europe is changing. From the last quarter of 2026, visa-exempt travellers will need to obtain a new travel authorisation before going to many European countries for a short stay. This system is called ETIAS: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
ETIAS is not a Schengen visa. It is an online travel authorisation for people who normally do not need a visa to travel to Europe for tourism, a family visit, a business trip, short training or a similar short-term stay. Its principle is comparable to systems such as the United States ESTA or the United Kingdom ETA.
For most eligible travellers, the process should be online and relatively simple. However, it is important to understand who will need ETIAS, when the system will start, how much it will cost, how long it will be valid, and what it will allow — or not allow — travellers to do.
This guide explains the main rules in practical terms.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a pre-travel authorisation for nationals of visa-exempt countries who want to travel to certain European countries for a short stay.
At present, many travellers can enter the Schengen area without applying for a visa in advance. For example, citizens of countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and many others can generally visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a Schengen visa, provided they meet the entry conditions.
ETIAS will add an extra step before travel. Once the system is operational, eligible travellers will need to apply online before travelling. The authorisation will be linked to the passport used in the application.
ETIAS is designed to allow European authorities to carry out checks before a visa-exempt traveller arrives at the border. These checks may concern security, irregular migration, public health or other risk factors. Most travellers should receive a decision quickly, but some applications may take longer if additional checks are needed.
When will ETIAS start?
ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. The European Union has not yet announced the exact launch date.
This means that, at the time of writing, travellers cannot apply for a valid ETIAS. Any website claiming to issue an official ETIAS before the system opens should be treated with caution. Once ETIAS is launched, applications will need to be made through the official European Union ETIAS website or the official mobile application.
ETIAS is linked to another European border management system called EES, the Entry/Exit System. EES records the entry and exit of many non-European nationals travelling for short stays. ETIAS is separate from EES, but both systems are part of the European Union’s wider changes to the management of its external borders.
Who will need ETIAS?
ETIAS will apply to travellers who meet all of the following conditions:
They are not nationals of a European Union or Schengen area country.
They are nationals of a country whose citizens do not need a Schengen visa for short stays.
They are travelling to one of the European countries that require ETIAS.
They are travelling for a short stay, generally up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
They do not already have a visa, residence permit or other document exempting them from ETIAS.
In simple terms: if you can currently visit the Schengen area without a visa for short stays, you may need ETIAS once the system is in place.
For example, many British, American, Canadian and Australian passport holders should need ETIAS for short stays in countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland.
However, nationality is decisive. A Moroccan citizen travelling with an ordinary Moroccan passport generally needs a Schengen visa for short stays, not ETIAS. If that same person also has a visa-exempt passport, such as a British or Canadian passport, the answer may depend on the passport used for travel.
Which countries will require ETIAS?
ETIAS will be required for short stays in 30 European countries. These include the Schengen area countries as well as Cyprus.
The countries concerned should include:
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Czechia.
Ireland is not part of ETIAS. The United Kingdom is also not part of ETIAS and applies its own entry rules.
One important practical point is that ETIAS is not issued for one specific country only. Once approved, it should allow travel to all ETIAS countries, provided the traveller continues to meet the normal entry conditions.
Is ETIAS a visa?
No. ETIAS is not a visa.
A Schengen visa normally requires a more detailed application, supporting documents and sometimes an appointment at a visa application centre or consulate. ETIAS is intended for people who are already exempt from visas for short stays.
ETIAS does not replace a Schengen visa for travellers who need one. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you cannot use ETIAS instead.
ETIAS also does not give the same rights as a residence permit, work permit, long-stay visa or study visa. It is intended only for short stays.
How long can you stay in Europe with ETIAS?
ETIAS does not change the standard short-stay rule. In most cases, visa-exempt travellers can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the countries covered by that rule.
This is a rolling calculation, not a simple three-month stay in each calendar year. On each entry, border authorities can look back over the previous 180 days and calculate how many days you have already spent in the relevant area.
ETIAS is not an unlimited residence authorisation. It also does not reset the 90-day counter. If you have already used your authorised days, having a valid ETIAS will not allow you to exceed the limit.
Travellers who want to work, study long-term, join family, settle, or stay beyond the authorised short-stay period may need a national visa or residence authorisation.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The official ETIAS application fee is expected to be €20.
Some travellers may be exempt from paying the fee, including applicants under 18 and over 70. However, being exempt from the fee does not necessarily mean being exempt from the ETIAS requirement itself. In many cases, travellers who do not pay will still need to apply.
Third-party services may charge additional fees, but the official ETIAS fee itself is €20. Travellers should be wary of unofficial websites, especially before ETIAS is operational. Some websites may appear official without being connected to the European Union.
How long will ETIAS be valid?
An ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to be valid for up to three years, or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first.
This means that if your passport expires in one year, your ETIAS will not remain valid for three years. It will expire with that passport. If you obtain a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS, because the authorisation is linked to the travel document.
During its period of validity, ETIAS should be usable for several short stays. You should not have to apply again for every trip, provided your ETIAS and passport remain valid and your travel still respects the rules on short stays.
What do you need to apply?
The application should be made online. Travellers will need a valid travel document, normally a passport, and a payment card if the fee applies. They will also need an email address, because the decision and application reference information will be sent electronically.
The form should ask for personal information, passport details, contact details and information relevant to security and eligibility checks. The form will need to be completed carefully, because mistakes in the passport number, names, dates of birth or nationality can cause problems at boarding or at the border.
One essential practical rule is this: the passport used for the ETIAS application must be the same passport used for travel. If the information does not match, the traveller may be refused boarding or entry.
How long will the ETIAS application take?
Most applications should be processed quickly, often within a few minutes. However, travellers should not wait until the last moment to apply.
Some applications may require additional checks, further information, documents or, in rare cases, an interview. These cases may take longer. For this reason, it is better to apply before booking non-refundable flights or accommodation, or at least well before the planned departure date.
Once the system is operational, travellers will need to follow the European Union’s official guidance on when to apply.
Does ETIAS guarantee entry?
No. ETIAS does not guarantee entry.
It is an authorisation to travel to the border, not an automatic right of entry. Border officers will still check whether you meet the entry conditions. You may still be asked for information about the purpose of your trip, your accommodation, your financial resources, your return or onward ticket, your travel insurance or other relevant evidence.
For example, a traveller may have a valid ETIAS but be refused entry if they cannot explain the purpose of their stay, if they have exceeded the 90-day limit, if they use a different passport, or if they do not meet other entry conditions.
This is one of the most important points to understand. ETIAS does not replace proper travel preparation.
What happens if ETIAS is refused?
If an ETIAS application is refused, the traveller should receive a decision explaining the refusal and indicating the responsible authority. Travellers should have a right of appeal, handled in accordance with the rules of the European country concerned.
A refusal does not automatically mean that it will be impossible to travel to Europe forever. However, it must be taken seriously. The reason for the refusal will matter. In some cases, the traveller will need to correct an error, provide additional information, lodge an appeal, or check whether another type of visa or authorisation is required.
Travellers should not simply submit repeated applications without understanding the reason for the refusal.
Can ETIAS be annulled or revoked?
Yes. ETIAS can be refused, annulled or revoked in certain circumstances. This can happen if the information provided is false or misleading, if the traveller no longer meets the conditions, or if new information changes the risk assessment.
Travellers must make sure their information is accurate and should not treat ETIAS as a permanent immigration authorisation. It is a travel authorisation for short stays, subject to conditions.
What about transit?
Transit rules can be complex because they depend on nationality, itinerary, airport, whether the traveller enters the Schengen area, and whether an airport transit visa may be required.
ETIAS mainly concerns visa-exempt travellers who enter ETIAS countries for a short stay. If a traveller only transits through an airport without entering the territory, the requirement may be different. Once ETIAS is operational, travellers will need to check the official rules applicable to their exact itinerary.
As a general rule, travellers should not assume that “transit” always means there will be no checks. A self-transfer, collecting baggage, changing airport, staying overnight or using separate tickets can turn a transit into an entry.
How does ETIAS affect British travellers?
British nationals who are not covered by specific protections linked to the withdrawal agreement should need ETIAS for short stays in ETIAS countries once the system is launched.
This means that many British passport holders travelling to Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland and other participating countries will need to apply before travelling.
ETIAS does not change the 90 days in any 180-day period rule that already applies to many British travellers since Brexit. It also does not give the right to work or live in the European Union.
British citizens who are legally resident in a European Union country may be subject to different rules depending on their residence document and destination. They should check the official guidance for their exact situation.
How does ETIAS affect Moroccan travellers?
A Moroccan citizen travelling with an ordinary Moroccan passport generally needs a Schengen visa for short stays. ETIAS does not replace that visa.
However, ETIAS may affect people in Morocco who have another nationality. For example, a dual Moroccan and British national travelling with a British passport may need ETIAS once the system is launched. A dual Moroccan and Canadian, or Moroccan and American, national will also need to check the rules that apply to the passport they intend to use.
Common mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is applying through an unofficial website without realising that it is not the official European Union platform. This can lead to unnecessary extra fees or concerns about data privacy.
Another mistake is using the wrong passport. If you apply with one passport and travel with another, your ETIAS may not match your travel document.
A third mistake is thinking that ETIAS gives the right to stay for three years. It does not. ETIAS validity and authorised length of stay are two different things. ETIAS may be valid for three years, but each stay remains limited by the short-stay rules.
Travellers also sometimes confuse ETIAS with EES. ETIAS is the pre-travel authorisation. EES is the system used at the border to record entries and exits. They are linked within the wider border process, but they are not the same thing.
Conclusion
ETIAS will be an important change for visa-exempt travellers going to Europe. For many people, it should be a simple online step before travel. However, it should not be taken lightly.
The most important points are clear: ETIAS is not yet operational, it is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026, it will cost €20 for most paying applicants, and it will generally be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. It applies to visa-exempt travellers making short stays, not to people who already need a Schengen visa.
Good preparation remains essential. Travellers should check whether they need ETIAS, a Schengen visa, a national visa or another form of authorisation before organising their trip.
FAQ
1. Is ETIAS already available?
No. ETIAS is not yet operational. The European Union states that it is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. Until the official system opens, travellers cannot obtain a valid ETIAS.
2. Is ETIAS the same as a Schengen visa?
No. ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, ETIAS does not replace that visa.
3. How much will ETIAS cost?
The official fee is expected to be €20. Some applicants, such as those under 18 or over 70, may be exempt from paying the fee, even though they may still need to apply.
4. How long will ETIAS be valid?
ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to three years, or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first.
5. Can I use one ETIAS for several trips?
Yes. During its period of validity, ETIAS should allow several short stays in the participating European countries, provided the short-stay rules are respected and the entry conditions continue to be met.
6. Does ETIAS allow me to stay in Europe for three years?
No. ETIAS may be valid for up to three years, but it does not allow a continuous three-year stay. Short stays are normally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.
7. Do Moroccan citizens need ETIAS?
Moroccan citizens travelling with an ordinary Moroccan passport generally need a Schengen visa for short stays, not ETIAS. However, dual Moroccan nationals using a visa-exempt passport may need ETIAS once the system is launched.
8. Will British citizens need ETIAS?
Most British citizens travelling for short stays in ETIAS countries should need ETIAS once the system is operational, unless they benefit from a specific exemption.
9. Does ETIAS guarantee entry at the border?
No. ETIAS allows travel to the border, but border officers may still refuse entry if the traveller does not meet the entry conditions.
10. Where should I apply for ETIAS?
Once the system is operational, applications will need to be made through the official European Union ETIAS website or the official mobile application. Travellers should remain cautious of unofficial websites, especially before ETIAS is launched.