ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point. For where that stands and what the press has reported, see the launch status tracker, which is the only page here that deals in timing.
Official source Checked 10 September 2026 EU or national government source. Source
What ETIAS will be
An ETIAS travel authorisation will be linked electronically to the passport used to apply for it. It will not be stamped into the passport and it will not be a physical document. Holding one will not guarantee entry: a border guard will still check that the entry conditions are met on arrival, and can still refuse entry.
It will apply to nationals of 59 visa-exempt countries and territories. The full list, and the list of European countries requiring it, are on participating countries.
What it will cost
The fee will be EUR 20 per application.
Regulation Checked 10 September 2026 EU law text. Source
Some applicants will be exempt from paying: Applicants under 18 years or above 70 years of age at the time of the application. A further exemption applies to Family members of an EU national who meet the conditions to qualify for family member status. An exemption from the fee is not an exemption from the requirement itself. Full detail is on the fee page.
How long it will last
Three years, or until the travel document used in the application expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you will need a new travel authorisation, because the authorisation is tied to the document rather than to you.
Official source Checked 10 September 2026 EU or national government source. Source
Validity is not the same as permitted stay. A valid authorisation will allow entry for short stays of 90 days in any 180 day period See the 90 in 180 day rule, which is counted automatically now that the Entry/Exit System is running.
ETIAS is not a visa
A visa is issued by a consulate after an assessment, usually with an appointment, supporting documents and a longer processing time. ETIAS will be an online pre-travel check for people who are already visa-exempt. It does not replace a visa for anyone who needs one, and it does not create a right to work or to stay long term.
ETIAS is not the EES
The Entry/Exit System is a separate thing, and unlike ETIAS it is running already. EES registers border crossings and biometrics; ETIAS will be a pre-travel authorisation. Travellers will encounter both. See ETIAS and EES compared and what the EES is.
Common questions
Do I need to do anything right now?
No. ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point. There will be advance notice before the requirement starts, followed by a transitional period during which holding an authorisation will be optional. Both are set out on the launch status tracker.
Is there an ETIAS application form yet?
No. When there is, it will be on the EU's own ETIAS portal and in the EU's own mobile app. Anywhere else taking your details and a payment today is not what it claims to be. See avoiding ETIAS scams.
How long will an application take?
The EU states that most applications will be processed within minutes, that a decision will otherwise follow within four days, and that this may extend by up to a further 14 days if more information or documents are requested, or up to 30 days if the applicant is invited to an interview. Those are processing times, not a guarantee, which is why the EU advises applying well ahead of travel rather than at the airport.
Will children need one?
Yes. Applicants under 18 will need a travel authorisation, and the application will have to be submitted by a person with parental authority or legal guardianship. They will be exempt from the fee, not from the requirement.
What if my application is refused?
The refusal email will give reasons, and it will set out how to appeal, the authority responsible and the time limit. Appeals will be handled by the country that took the decision, not by this site and not by any intermediary.
Does it apply to travel to Ireland?
No. Ireland is not among the 30 countries requiring ETIAS, and it operates its own immigration arrangements.
Last verified 10 September 2026. How we verify