Visa-exempt travellers from 60+ countries (USA, UK, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and others) will need an electronic travel authorisation for the Schengen area.
Key facts
Launch: last quarter of 2026 (October–December); the EU will announce the exact date a few months ahead.
Fee: €20 per application (instead of the originally planned €7); free under 18 and over 70, but an application is still required.
Validity: 3 years or until the passport expires.
Transition: 6 months without refusal solely for missing ETIAS, then a 6-month grace period for first-time travellers only.
Does NOT apply to visa holders or EU citizens.
Who is affected
ETIAS is not a visa but a pre-travel check for people who can currently enter the Schengen area visa-free – for example nationals of the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Holders of a Schengen visa or residence permit do not need ETIAS.
How to apply
Applications are made online or via app, take about ten minutes and are approved within minutes in most cases; in individual cases up to 30 days. You need a passport, e-mail address and a payment card. The authorisation is tied to the passport – a new passport means a new ETIAS.
Our advice
Plan trips from October 2026 with a buffer and apply as soon as the system goes live. Beware of unofficial portals charging many times the €20 fee: the only official route is travel-europe.europa.eu. We check your details before submission and clarify whether you need ETIAS at all or a visa instead.
FAQ
Do Ukrainians need ETIAS?
Yes – Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport travel visa-free and will need ETIAS from launch. Holders of a German residence permit (e.g. § 24 AufenthG) do not.
Is ETIAS really only €20?
Yes, €20 is the official fee. Only unofficial intermediary sites charge more.