Travel rules
ETIAS in November 2026: still not open — what visitors to Europe need to know
The EU's €20 travel authorisation still has no start date. Here's who will need it, what it costs, and why you shouldn't pay anyone for it yet.
If you're planning a trip to Europe and keep seeing warnings about "ETIAS", here is the short version: as of 12 November 2026, ETIAS is not running, nobody can apply, and you do not need it to travel.
What ETIAS is
ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an online travel authorisation for people who can currently visit Europe without a visa — for example citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia. It is similar to the US ESTA or the UK's ETA: a short online form, a fee, and an approval linked to your passport.
It is not a visa, and it doesn't change how long you can stay. Short visits will still be limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Who will need it
- Citizens of around 60 visa-exempt countries and territories travelling for short stays.
- It will cover 30 European countries: the Schengen area plus Cyprus.
- EU citizens, and residents with a valid residence permit or long-stay visa, will not need it.
How much it will cost
The fee was raised from the originally planned €7 to €20, through a Commission regulation published in October 2025. Applicants under 18 or over 70 will not pay the fee, but will still need an authorisation. Once approved, an ETIAS is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.
When it will start
This is where the confusion comes from. For most of 2026, EU material said ETIAS would start in the last quarter of 2026. That has not happened: in October and November 2026 the official ETIAS website said the system is not in operation and that the start date will be announced several months in advance. Several travel outlets now report that a launch is more likely in 2027, but no date has been officially announced.
When it does start, the EU has planned a transition period of at least six months, during which travellers are encouraged to apply but border guards will be flexible with people who haven't.
ETIAS vs EES — don't mix them up
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a different system, and it is already running. Since 10 April 2026, non-EU visitors have their fingerprints and a face photo recorded at Schengen borders, replacing passport stamps. EES needs no application in advance. Read our guide to EES and the 90/180 rule.
Watch out for paid "ETIAS" websites
Because ETIAS is searched so often, many unofficial sites offer to "apply for you" — sometimes charging far more than €20, sometimes for an authorisation that doesn't exist yet. The only official site is the EU's travel-europe.europa.eu portal. If someone asks you to pay for ETIAS today, don't.
What to do now
- Nothing, for trips planned before a start date is announced. Just travel with a valid passport.
- Bookmark the official page and check it before trips in 2027.
- Keep an eye on your 90/180 days — with EES, overstays are now recorded automatically.
- Avoid roaming charges. If your phone plan doesn't cover Europe, a prepaid Europe eSIM such as Airalo (affiliate link) is usually much cheaper than roaming.