EU’s ETIAS travel authorisation delayed until 2026. Here’s when you’ll have to pay
This yr, the brand new Entry/Exit System (EES) for the EU and Schengen Zone will lastly be launched.
This can be a registration system for UK, US and different non-EU travellers and can solely apply to those that don’t require a visa to enter the EU.
Coupled with that is the introduction of the ETIAS – the European Journey Info and Authorisation System – as a part of the EU’s efforts to enhance border safety.
This journey allow was attributable to turn into a requirement for non-EU travellers in 2026, but it surely has been delayed but once more.
The EU now plans to introduce the ETIAS in late 2026 with a transitional grace interval, that means it received’t be obligatory till 2027.
What’s the ETIAS?
Below the brand new ETIAS guidelines, travellers who don’t want a visa from non-EU nations, together with the UK, should get hold of authorisation earlier than quick stays within the Schengen Space.
It will require you to finish a web-based utility, present private particulars, reply safety questions and pay a €7 price. This authorisation can be linked to the traveller’s passport and can be legitimate for 3 years or till the passport expires.
Travellers from 60 non-EU nations might want to adjust to the ETIAS, however there are some exceptions. The price can be waived for kids beneath 18 and adults over 70, though they’ll nonetheless want to use for authorisation.
When will travellers have to use for the ETIAS?
The ETIAS can’t take impact till six months after the EES is absolutely operational in any respect Schengen Space borders. This implies all airports, ferry ports and land crossings will need to have the system up and operating earlier than it may be launched.
Putting in the brand new expertise required for the EES has been dogged by issues and delays, with dozens of member states not prepared for the deliberate launch.
Because the EU has now selected a phased rollout of the EES over a interval of six months – coming into impact on the first borders in October 2025 – the introduction of the ETIAS has needed to be pushed again.
It has mentioned the ETIAS will begin operations within the final quarter of 2026, with a particular date for the launch of the system coming just a few months earlier than. Even then it’ll stay voluntary for an extra six months, that means travellers could not need to pay the price till nicely into 2027.
