ETIAS: the EU travel authorisation explained
ETIAS is an online pre-travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa for the Schengen area. It has been delayed several times and is not yet in operation.
What ETIAS is
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an electronic authorisation, not a visa. Once it launches, visa-exempt travellers will apply online before departure, and the authorisation will be checked when they board and at the border. It is modelled on the US ESTA and the UK ETA.
Who it will affect
Citizens of countries that can visit the Schengen area without a visa for short stays, for example the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and Brazil. EU and Schengen citizens and travellers who already need a Schengen visa are not covered.
When it starts
In July 2026 the EU removed its last-quarter-2026 target from the official ETIAS website, and reporting pointed to 2027 as the realistic start. ETIAS depends on the Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational in April 2026 after its own delays. Until ETIAS is live, there is nothing to apply for, and any website selling an "ETIAS" today is not an official channel.
Sources
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you travel.