# 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. ETIAS is planned to come into force in the last quarter of 2026, approximately a year after implementation of the Entry/Exit System.
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." It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry.
ETIAS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2016 and was formally established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 12 September 2018. 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.
ETIAS is similar to other electronic travel authorisation systems, such as the United States Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

## Applicable nationalities

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.
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.
As of entering into use, ETIAS will be required from nationals of visa-exempt third countries (Annex II) 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.
As of 2025, holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories would match the ETIAS criteria:
| 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  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. It is estimated that 1.4 billion people will need to apply. 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. If approved, the authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiry date of the travel document, whichever is earlier.

## 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.

## 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.