Travel authorisations
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
Short answer
- Status
- Not in operation. No applications collected (eu-LISA page, 21 May 2026) 3
- Legal basis
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, in force 9 October 2018 1
- Fee exemption
- Under 18 or over 70 2
- Countries
- 30 European countries 1
- Stay covered
- Short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period 1
- System developer
- eu-LISA 1
What ETIAS is
The European Commission describes ETIAS as a largely automated IT system for visa-exempt non-EU citizens. It will apply to short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in 30 European countries 1.
The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2018/1240. It was adopted on 12 September 2018 and entered into force on 9 October 2018 1. eu-LISA, the EU agency for large-scale IT systems, is responsible for developing the system 1.
Current status
The Commission page, last updated 6 October 2025, says ETIAS is currently not in operation. It says the EU will announce the start date several months before the launch 1.
The eu-LISA ETIAS page, updated 21 May 2026, says ETIAS is not in operation and that no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point 3.
Start date reporting
On 17 July 2025 the Commission said ETIAS would start operations at the end of 2026, and it linked the new fee to operations expected in the last quarter of 2026 2.
The Connexion, in a report by Zane Lilley on 18 August 2026, said the official page had dropped the last quarter of 2026 target. The report said a 2027 launch looked almost certain. It said eu-LISA had reportedly discussed a delay to 2027 in July, citing difficulties with the Entry/Exit System 4. The same report said ETIAS was designed to launch about six months after the full EES rollout of 10 April 2026 4.
These two accounts differ. The Commission statement of July 2025 gave the end of 2026. The press report of August 2026 pointed to 2027. No official start date had been published by 24 October 2026 on the pages opened for this entry 1,3.
Fee
The Commission announced on 17 July 2025 that the ETIAS fee would be EUR 20 instead of the previous EUR 7 2. It said the change would cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account its functions and inflation, and would align the fee with other countries' travel authorisation programmes 2.
The adjustment was subject to a two-month review period of the Council and the European Parliament, renewable once 2. The Commission page of October 2025 says the fee takes effect once ETIAS is operational 1. Travellers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying 2.
Checks against EU databases
eu-LISA says ETIAS will cross-check applicant data against existing and future EU security databases 3.
Common questions
When does ETIAS start?
No official date had been set by October 2026. The EU says it will announce the date several months ahead 1. The Connexion reported in August 2026 that 2027 looked likely 4.
Who is exempt from the ETIAS fee?
Travellers under 18 or over 70 2.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. eu-LISA says no applications are collected at this point 3.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) (6 October 2025)
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: The European travel authorisation ETIAS will cost EUR 20 (17 July 2025)
- eu-LISA: ETIAS (updated 21 May 2026)
- The Connexion, Zane Lilley: Delay forecast for EU travel authorisation scheme after website changes (18 August 2026)
Related
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EES registers non-EU short-stay travellers with fingerprints and a facial image at Schengen borders. Fully operational since 10 April 2026.
- UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
The UK ETA costs £20, lasts 2 years or to passport expiry, and is needed by most visa-free visitors. Rollout dates, refusals and legal basis.
- US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
ESTA is required for Visa Waiver Program travel to the US. The fee is US$40.62 from 16 October 2026. Rules, eligibility and proposed app-only changes.
- INTERPOL Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database
INTERPOL's SLTD database: what it holds, record and search figures, who can check it, I-Checkit for private partners and EU rules on SLTD checks.