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15 Oct 2026
ETIAS start date

ETIAS Not Live Yet: What Travellers to Europe Need Now

Categories EU, Visa Updates

The ETIAS start date has not been announced. ETIAS is not yet in operation, and no travel authorisation applications are being accepted. The Dutch government’s ETIAS page says the EU will announce the start date several months before launch, and it names no date. Meanwhile the Entry/Exit System (EES) is already running: the European Commission says it became fully operational on 10 April 2026. Travellers from visa-exempt countries should treat any website selling an ETIAS application today with suspicion.

In this guide

Where ETIAS stands

The Netherlands says ETIAS will apply to travellers from 59 visa-exempt countries entering 30 European countries for short stays, usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period. VisasNews reported in May that ETIAS remains expected in the final quarter of 2026, that it could slip, and that a six-month phase-in would follow. That article cites no official EU document for the timetable, so treat the quarter as a press expectation rather than a confirmed date. Nothing on the Dutch page confirms it.

What EES already requires

According to the European Commission, EES replaces passport stamping for non-EU nationals on short stays. Each time they cross an external border of the 29 countries using the system, travellers are registered with their name, travel document details, fingerprints and facial image, plus the date and place of entry and exit and any refusal of entry. VisasNews adds that implementation varies by airport and that biometric collection can be temporarily suspended when queues are long. Allow extra time at first-time crossings.

Fee and validity

CIBT, a visa services firm, reports that the European Commission announced a rise in the ETIAS fee from EUR 7 to EUR 20 on 17 July 2025, that the fee applies to travellers aged 18 to 70, and that an approval lasts three years or until the passport expires. CIBT also says the Commission had not confirmed an exact launch date. This is a secondary source, and the Dutch page does not mention the fee, so confirm the amount on the official EU site once applications open.

Who will need ETIAS

ETIAS is for people who can enter without a visa, not for those who already need a Schengen visa. Consider a hypothetical case. Diego is a Colombian chef invited to a food fair in Amsterdam. He does not need a Schengen visa for a short stay today. Once ETIAS is live and the phase-in ends, he would need an authorisation before boarding. Until then he needs only a valid passport and to register at the border under EES. Travellers heading to Britain face a similar tool, covered in our report on UK ETA enforcement.

What travellers should do

Do not pay for an ETIAS application now, because none exists. Check your passport validity, keep return-ticket and accommodation details to hand, and expect biometric registration at the border. Bookmark the official EU travel site and the foreign ministry page for your destination, since the start date will be announced there. For other short-stay rules, see our guide to Thailand’s visa exemption rules, and use our visa eligibility checker to compare destinations.

ETIAS questions

Is ETIAS in force?

No. The Dutch government says it is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected.

When will ETIAS start?

No official date has been given. The Dutch page says the EU will announce it several months ahead. One news report expects the final quarter of 2026.

Is EES already running?

Yes. The European Commission says EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.

How much will ETIAS cost?

A visa services firm reports EUR 20 for travellers aged 18 to 70. Confirm on the official EU site when applications open.

Who needs ETIAS?

Travellers from visa-exempt countries making short stays in the participating European countries. Those who need a visa are not covered.

Can I apply for ETIAS now?

No. Any site offering an application today is not an official service.

Sources

08 Oct 2026
ETIAS launch delay

Europe’s New Border Rule Was Supposed to Start This Year. It Didn’t.

Categories EU, Visa Updates

Europe’s new travel authorization system was supposed to be live by now. It isn’t. The ETIAS launch delay has pushed the start date past the end of 2026. Nobody has set a new one yet. Travelers heading to Europe from visa-exempt countries can relax a little longer. But the uncertainty is starting to cause its own problems.

The official EU travel portal says only that ETIAS “is not currently in operation.” No applications are being collected. That wording replaced a firmer “last quarter of 2026” target in mid-July 2026.

Why the ETIAS Launch Delay Keeps Happening

ETIAS launch delay

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, screens visa-exempt travelers before they reach the Schengen area. Think of it as Europe’s answer to the US ESTA system. Travelers from the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia would apply online. They would pay a small fee and get approval before departure.

The system kept slipping for years before this latest delay. Officials once aimed for 2024. Then they pushed to 2025. Then they settled on the last quarter of 2026. That target held through March 2026. At that point, eu-LISA, the EU agency running the technology, still called ETIAS a project “preparing to go live at the end of 2026.” Then the picture changed. By mid-July 2026, the 2026 window disappeared from the official site entirely.

The Entry/Exit System Problem Behind the ETIAS Postponement

ETIAS depends on a separate system first. That system is the Entry/Exit System, or EES. It records biometric data for non-EU travelers at Schengen borders. EES became mandatory at all external borders on April 10, 2026. The rollout has not gone smoothly.

Airports reported queues running several hours at peak times. Temporary flexibility rules let border staff scale back biometric registration during the worst congestion. Those rules expired on September 6, 2026. Nobody has announced an extension yet, even though airline groups including IATA and ABTA asked for one running into 2027. The Financial Times reported that eu-LISA now sees a 2026 ETIAS launch as unfeasible, given how unsettled EES still is.

The logic from Brussels is simple. Regulators want the biometric checks already in place to stabilize first. Only then will they add a second layer of screening on top. Stacking two unfinished systems invites more of the airport chaos EES has already caused on its own.

What the ETIAS Delay Means for Travelers Right Now

Nothing changes for travelers today. Visa-exempt visitors from eligible countries can enter the Schengen area the same way they always have. No ETIAS application exists to file. No fee is due yet.

That matters because third-party websites have already started advertising ETIAS “pre-approval” and paid processing services. None of them are legitimate yet. The European Commission has not opened applications. The Commission has promised several months of public notice before launch, followed by a transition period once it starts. Watch the official EU travel portal for that notice. Don’t trust a travel agency or booking site to announce it first.

Once ETIAS does launch, the basics are already set. Adults aged 18 to 70 will pay €20. Approval will last three years, or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. A single approval will cover multiple short trips to any Schengen country during that window, much like a multi-entry visa does today. The rest of the Schengen area’s entry rules keep working independently of ETIAS. That includes the reintroduced border checks between Spain and Italy covered separately this week. None of that has changed.

Travel agents and airlines also face a planning headache of their own. Booking platforms built around a 2026 ETIAS rollout now need to rework their timelines, and some have quietly removed references to the system from their checkout pages rather than guess at a date.

No Confirmed ETIAS Date, But a Meeting on the Calendar

Press reports point to 2027 as the likely new launch window. No EU body has confirmed that in writing. The European Commission sets the actual start date only after eu-LISA finishes its technical sign-off. That process carries no public deadline right now.

One date is on the calendar, though. The eu-LISA Management Board holds its next scheduled meeting from November 17 to 19, 2026, in Dublin. The board may well discuss a revised ETIAS timetable there, though nobody has formally promised to announce one. Until then, plan around a simple assumption: ETIAS could appear sometime in 2027, without a specific month attached. Travelers from the UK should also track separate changes to UK immigration rules that took effect this week. Those rules apply on top of whatever Europe eventually decides about ETIAS, not instead of it.

ETIAS Delay: Your Questions Answered

  • Is ETIAS live yet? No. The official EU travel portal states that ETIAS is not currently in operation and that no applications are being accepted as of October 2026.
  • When will ETIAS launch? No confirmed date exists. Press reports point to 2027, but the European Commission has not announced an official start date.
  • Do I need to apply for ETIAS to travel to Europe right now? No. Visa-exempt travelers can still enter the Schengen area under existing rules, with no ETIAS application required.
  • Why was the ETIAS launch delayed again? Regulators cite ongoing problems with the Entry/Exit System, the biometric border-check system that has to stabilize before ETIAS adds a second screening layer.
  • How much will ETIAS cost once it launches? €20 for travelers aged 18 to 70, with approval valid for three years or until the passport expires.
  • Should I pay a website that offers ETIAS pre-approval? No. No legitimate ETIAS application process exists yet. Any site charging for one is not an official channel.

01 Sep 2026
ETIAS delayed to 2027

Europe Just Pushed ETIAS Back to 2027 — Again

Categories EU, Immigration

Europe’s long-promised travel permit will not arrive this year after all. ETIAS delayed to 2027 is now the working assumption inside eu-LISA, the EU agency running the rollout, after officials told the Financial Times a late-2026 launch is no longer feasible.

ETIAS Delayed to 2027: The Two Reasons Why

eu-LISA points to two problems. The first is technical: parts of the ETIAS system are not ready for a full-scale launch. The second is operational: the Entry/Exit System, the biometric border check that went live earlier this year, is still causing long queues at major crossing points.

ETIAS delayed to 2027

Rolling out a second new system on top of a straining EES rollout risked compounding the chaos at border crossings and airports. eu-LISA and national border agencies both flagged that risk in recent weeks, which pushed the agency toward a delay rather than a rushed launch.

What Happens to the Confirmed Launch Date

There is no new official date yet. eu-LISA’s governing board plans to review a revised implementation timeline at a meeting this September. Industry sources cited by travel press are floating April 2027 as an early realistic estimate, though nothing is locked in.

This is not the first slip. ETIAS has slipped multiple times since its original target date, most recently from a planned late-2026 launch that outlets had reported as recently as July.

Why the EES Rollout Keeps Colliding With ETIAS

The Entry/Exit System records fingerprints and facial scans for non-EU travelers at Schengen borders. Since it launched, several major airports and land crossings have reported queues that stretch well beyond normal wait times, particularly during peak summer travel.

eu-LISA wants EES to stabilize before adding ETIAS on top of it. Running both systems at full capacity at the same time would multiply the strain on border staff who are already adapting to the new biometric checks, according to officials who spoke to European outlets covering the decision.

Some national border agencies reportedly asked eu-LISA directly for more breathing room between the two rollouts. A staggered approach, they argued, gives staff and infrastructure time to absorb one major change before taking on a second.

How This Compares to ETIAS’s Earlier Delays

ETIAS has missed its original target date more than once since the concept was first proposed years ago. Each previous delay traced back to similar causes: technical readiness gaps or the need to sequence the launch around other EU border projects.

Frequent travelers and airlines have grown accustomed to treating any announced ETIAS date as provisional until eu-LISA confirms it close to launch. This latest delay to 2027 fits that established pattern rather than breaking from it.

What ETIAS Is Supposed to Do

ETIAS is not a visa. It is a €20 online travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers entering the Schengen area, similar in concept to the US ESTA system. Travelers from the UK, US, and dozens of other countries would apply online before flying, with approval typically issued within minutes.

The system aims to screen travelers against security and migration databases before they reach the border, cutting down on checks once they land. With the delay, visa-exempt travelers can continue entering under existing rules for now.

Once live, an approved ETIAS authorization is expected to remain valid for multiple entries over a set validity window, sparing frequent travelers from reapplying before every trip to the Schengen area.

When Could ETIAS Actually Launch

Nothing changes for travelers immediately. Visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen area do not need to apply for anything new until eu-LISA confirms a firm date and opens the application system. Airlines and border agencies will get advance notice before any launch, since airline check-in systems need updates to verify authorizations.

Travelers planning trips to Europe in 2027 should watch for an official announcement expected after the September eu-LISA board meeting, rather than relying on any specific date currently circulating in the press.

Travel agents and tour operators serving the European market are telling clients to book flights and hotels as normal for now, since the delay affects a screening requirement rather than the ability to travel to Europe at all.

Anyone with an upcoming trip to Europe should recheck the ETIAS timeline closer to their travel date rather than assuming today’s estimate holds, given how often this launch window has already shifted.

Airlines flying transatlantic and other long-haul routes into Schengen airports are watching the September board meeting closely too, since a confirmed date determines how much lead time their check-in systems need before enforcing the new authorization requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ETIAS launching in 2026?

No. eu-LISA says a late-2026 launch is not feasible and the system is now expected to launch in 2027, with no confirmed date yet.

Why was ETIAS delayed?

eu-LISA cited technical readiness issues with the ETIAS system itself and operational strain from the ongoing Entry/Exit System rollout, which is already causing border queues.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS right now?

No. There is no ETIAS application open yet. Visa-exempt travelers continue entering the Schengen area under current rules until a launch date is confirmed.

How much will ETIAS cost when it launches?

The planned fee is €20 per application, with the authorization valid for multiple entries over a set period once issued.

Related Coverage on Tamara News

Sources

05 Jul 2026
Europe ETIAS travel authorisation

Europe Switches On ETIAS Soon — What Travellers Should Know

Categories EU, Immigration, Visa Updates

Mark the calendar for late 2026. That is when Europe ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to switch on, adding a quick online step before millions of visa-free visitors can board a flight to the Schengen area. If you hold a passport that currently lets you into Europe without a visa, this new pre-screening will soon apply to you. The date matters. Miss the step and an airline can refuse to let you fly, even with a valid passport in hand.

By the Travel Explore editorial desk. Last updated 5 July 2026.

In this article

Who the travel authorisation covers

ETIAS targets people from roughly 60 visa-exempt countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and many more. If today you can enter France or Spain for a short stay just by showing your passport, the new rule is aimed squarely at you. It applies to tourism, business trips, and short family visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Consider Bruno, a São Paulo software founder who flies to Lisbon twice a year to meet clients. From launch, he will need an approved Europe ETIAS travel authorisation linked to his passport before check-in. Holders of a Schengen visa or an EU residence permit are exempt, since they already cleared deeper checks.

When ETIAS actually switches on

The system sits behind the Entry/Exit System, which went fully live on 10 April 2026. With that biometric border now running, the EU has pencilled ETIAS in for the final quarter of 2026. A six-month transition follows, so an approval will not be strictly required until around April 2027. The fee is fixed at €20 per adult, confirmed by the European Commission after years of a lower figure circulating online. The EU describes the process as “quick and easy to complete”. Most applications are approved within minutes, though some can take days if extra checks are triggered. Apply early.

Not sure whether your passport needs ETIAS or a full visa? Run your profile through our visa eligibility checker in two minutes.

Applying without the last-minute panic

Applications open on the official ETIAS website and app only. You will enter passport details, answer background questions, and pay the €20 online. No card, no boarding. Approval attaches to the passport you applied with, so a renewed passport means a fresh application. Book flights and accommodation, but do not treat approval as automatic. If refused, you receive a reason and an appeal route, and you may still apply for a Schengen visa instead. The safest habit is simple: apply the moment you decide to travel, not the night before your flight.

The short version

  • ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, mandatory around April 2027.
  • The fee is €20; under-18s and over-70s pay nothing.
  • One approval covers multiple trips for up to three years or until your passport expires.
  • It is a screening, not a visa, and does not guarantee entry at the border.

Quick answers before you travel

When does ETIAS start?
The EU expects ETIAS to go live in the last quarter of 2026, followed by a transitional grace period running into 2027 before it becomes mandatory.

How much does the Europe ETIAS travel authorisation cost?
The fee is €20 for most applicants. Travellers under 18 or over 70 pay nothing.

How long is an approval valid?
Up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple short stays.

Does ETIAS replace a Schengen visa?
No. It is a pre-travel screening for visa-exempt nationalities, not a visa, and it does not by itself guarantee entry.

Related reads

Share this story

  • LinkedIn: Europe is adding a €20 online step before you fly. Here is who it hits first.
  • Twitter/X: ETIAS is coming in late 2026. No approval, no boarding. Thread-worthy for frequent flyers.
  • Facebook: Planning a Europe trip in 2027? Read this before you book.

Plan your Europe trip the smart way

A new border step should not derail a good trip. Get plain-language visa and travel updates, checklists, and tools in one place at https://wa.link/i9l1ec

Sources




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07 Jun 2026
ETIAS travel authorisation

Europe’s New €20 Travel Pass Is Coming — 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Categories EU, Visa Updates

If you can currently fly into Paris, Rome or Amsterdam with nothing but your passport, that era is ending. The ETIAS travel authorisation — a €20 online permit for visa-exempt visitors — is set to switch on across Europe in late 2026, covering travellers from around 60 countries including the United States, UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil and Mexico. It is not a visa, and it is not complicated. But the small print is already tripping people up.

Jump to a section

ETIAS travel authorisation: the permit most travellers haven’t heard of

ETIAS — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — is Europe’s answer to America’s ESTA. Before boarding, visa-exempt travellers complete an online form; the system screens it against EU security databases and, in the vast majority of cases, approves within minutes. The authorisation costs €20, lasts three years (or until your passport expires) and allows unlimited short stays within the standard 90-days-in-180 limit. It follows the Entry/Exit System, the biometric border regime that began rolling out across Schengen in October 2025 — together they fully digitise Europe’s external border.

Five slip-ups that could ground your trip

One: assuming ETIAS is a visa — it is a pre-travel screening, and if you need a Schengen visa today, ETIAS changes nothing for you. Two: applying through copycat websites that charge €80 or more for a €20 permit; only the official EU portal is real. Three: leaving the application until the airport — most approvals are instant, but a minority go to manual review that can take up to 30 days. Four: forgetting the 90/180 rule still applies; ETIAS does not extend how long you can stay. Five: mismatched passport details — Rafael, a consultant from São Paulo who renewed his passport after applying, learned that an ETIAS tied to an old passport number is worthless at the gate. Apply with the passport you will travel on.

Planning a multi-country trip and unsure which rules bite first? Get a route check at https://wa.link/i9l1ec.

When and how to apply without getting scammed

The EU has confirmed the €20 fee and a launch in the final quarter of 2026, with a six-month grace period expected at the start. When applications open, go directly to the official EU ETIAS page — bookmark travel-europe.europa.eu now, before lookalike domains flood your search results. The form takes roughly ten minutes: passport details, travel history and a handful of security questions. Under-18s and over-70s pay nothing. Apply at least a month before any major trip during the launch window, when teething delays are most likely.

Before you book

  • ETIAS launches late 2026: €20, valid three years, mandatory for visa-exempt visitors to 30 European countries.
  • It is screening, not a visa — and it never extends the 90/180-day stay limit.
  • Only the official EU portal is legitimate; third-party sites overcharge for the same form.
  • Apply early and with your current passport — renewals invalidate an approved ETIAS.

Your questions, answered

Who needs an ETIAS travel authorisation?
Citizens of visa-exempt countries — including the US, UK, Japan, Brazil and about 55 others — visiting the Schengen area for short stays.

I hold a Schengen visa. Do I also need ETIAS?
No. ETIAS applies only to travellers who do not need a visa; visa holders are already screened.

How fast is approval?
Most applications clear in minutes; flagged cases can take up to 30 days, so do not apply at the last minute.

Does ETIAS guarantee entry?
No — border officers retain final say, exactly as with America’s ESTA.

Related reads

Share this story

  • Europe’s border is going digital — and 1.4 billion travellers need a €20 permit.
  • ETIAS is not a visa. Treating it like one is mistake number one.
  • Renewed your passport? Your approved ETIAS just died with the old one.

Travel smarter than the queue

Rule changes reward travellers who read ahead. Whether it’s ETIAS, biometric borders or a full relocation, plan your next move with people who track this daily: https://wa.link/i9l1ec

Sources

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