Free ETIAS Checker for Europe Travel
Find out if you need ETIAS for your trip to Europe. Free, instant, no signup. Kept current with the official EU launch status.
ETIAS is not live yet
The European Union states that ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are being collected. The EU had published the fourth quarter of 2026 as the official start target. On 17 July 2026 it removed that target from its main ETIAS pages and has not published a replacement date since. The EU says it will announce the specific date several months before launch.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is the European Union's upcoming pre travel authorization for visa exempt visitors to the Schengen Area. It is similar to the United States ESTA or Canada eTA. ETIAS is not a visa and it does not change how long you can stay.
Once ETIAS goes live, citizens of around 60 visa exempt countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many others) will need an approved ETIAS authorization before traveling to any of the 29 Schengen Area countries.
- Cost: €20. Free for under 18 and 70 or older
- Validity: 3 years. Or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
- Type: Pre travel authorization. Not a visa. Will not replace the Schengen visa requirement
- Coverage: All 29 Schengen countries. One ETIAS covers every Schengen country
Where to apply
You cannot apply yet. The European Union states that ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are being collected at this point.
ETIAS is an online application. When it opens, it will only be accepted on the official EU website and the official EU mobile app, and the official fee is €20.
Apply only through the official EU site. The European Union has warned about unofficial ETIAS websites that charge extra fees on top of the official price. StaySchengen is not affiliated with the EU and never collects ETIAS applications.
Check the official EU ETIAS site | What you need to apply
ETIAS opens the door. The 90/180 rule decides how long you can stay.
ETIAS will be a one time gate for visa exempt travelers. The Schengen 90/180 day rule is a continuous constraint that already applies. Both are independent. A traveler with valid ETIAS who has used 88 of their 90 days in the last 180 still cannot stay another 30 days.
Frequently asked questions about ETIAS
Is ETIAS in effect yet? No. ETIAS is not yet operational. The European Union states that no applications for travel authorisations are being collected at this point. The EU had published the fourth quarter of 2026 as the official start target. On 17 July 2026 it removed that target from its main ETIAS pages and has not published a replacement date since. The EU says it will announce the specific date several months in advance. After launch there is a transitional period, then a grace period, before ETIAS becomes fully mandatory.
How much does ETIAS cost? €20 per application, free for travelers under 18 and 70 or older. The fee was originally set at €7 and was adjusted to €20 by the European Commission in July 2025 to cover operating costs and align with similar travel authorization programs.
Is ETIAS a visa? No. ETIAS is a pre travel authorization, similar to the United States ESTA or Canada eTA. It permits travel to Schengen countries by visa exempt visitors but is not itself a visa. Citizens of countries that already need a Schengen visa will continue to need that visa.
Who needs ETIAS? Citizens of around 60 visa exempt countries when traveling to Schengen for short stays. The list includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and most other visa waiver nationalities. EU/EEA citizens, Swiss nationals, holders of a Schengen long stay visa, and holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country do not need to apply.
Does ETIAS replace the Schengen 90/180 day rule? No. ETIAS authorizes you to travel to Schengen. The 90/180 rule decides how long you can stay. A visitor with valid ETIAS still cannot exceed 90 days of presence in any rolling 180 day window across the Schengen Area. Both apply independently.
How long is an ETIAS authorization valid? Three years from issuance, or until the passport it is tied to expires, whichever comes first. A passport renewal will require a new ETIAS, even if the old one has not expired. Within its validity, the same authorization covers any number of short stay visits.
Which countries does ETIAS cover? All 29 Schengen Area countries: 25 of the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. One ETIAS authorization covers entry to any of these countries. Ireland and Cyprus are EU members but not in the Schengen Area, so ETIAS does not apply for travel to those countries.
Do I need ETIAS for layovers in Europe? Yes if you clear Schengen passport control, even briefly. Airside transit through a non Schengen terminal does not require ETIAS. The same logic applies to the Schengen 90/180 day count.
Can I apply for ETIAS now? No. ETIAS is not yet open for applications. The European Union will announce the specific start date several months in advance. Be cautious of any third party site claiming to accept ETIAS applications now. Applications will only ever be accepted on the official EU ETIAS website and the official EU mobile app.
What happens if I travel without ETIAS after it launches? Once ETIAS is fully mandatory (after the transitional and grace periods), travelers from visa exempt countries who arrive without an approved ETIAS may be denied boarding by the airline or denied entry at the border. During the transitional period, travelers without ETIAS will not automatically be refused as long as they meet other entry conditions.
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