Quick answer: ETIAS is the EU’s new online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, such as citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia, travelling to 30 European countries. As of October 2026, ETIAS is not yet in operation and no ETIAS application can be submitted. When it launches (now expected in 2027), the ETIAS application will cost EUR 20, take about 10 minutes online and give approval valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. Until then, visa-exempt travellers enter Europe as they do now.
ETIAS has been delayed several times, and the internet is full of out-of-date dates and lookalike websites already “selling” ETIAS. This guide explains clearly where things stand in 2026, who will need an ETIAS application, how it differs from a Schengen visa, what the ETIAS application will ask for, and how to avoid scams. It’s written for first-time travellers, freelancers and business owners from anywhere in the world.
Table of Contents
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It’s a pre-travel security check for people who don’t need a visa to visit Europe. Instead of a visa, eligible travellers will fill in a short ETIAS application online before their trip. The system checks their details against EU security, migration and health databases, and most applicants will get an answer within minutes.
ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA, the Canadian eTA and the UK ETA. It is not a visa. It doesn’t guarantee entry either: border officers still make the final decision when you arrive.
The official information page is run by the European Union at travel-europe.europa.eu. When ETIAS launches, the official ETIAS application will be available through that site and the official mobile app only.
Is ETIAS live in 2026?
No. As of October 2026, ETIAS is not operating, and the official EU website states that no applications are being collected. EU ministers had endorsed a launch in the last quarter of 2026, but that target has since been dropped, and independent reporting points to 2027 as the likely launch year.
What this means for you right now:
- If you’re visa-exempt, you can visit the Schengen area without an ETIAS application for now, as long as you meet the normal entry rules.
- Any website taking money for an “ETIAS application” today is not official. Don’t pay it.
- The EU has promised advance notice before ETIAS starts, followed by a transition period.
A related system has already started: the Entry/Exit System (EES). EES replaced passport stamps with digital registration at the border and records your fingerprints and photo on your first visit. It began in October 2025 and has been fully running since April 2026. EES is separate from the ETIAS application and doesn’t need any action before you travel.
Who will need an ETIAS application?
ETIAS will apply to citizens of around 59 visa-exempt countries and territories, including:
- The United States, Canada and Mexico
- The United Kingdom (after Brexit)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the UAE
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile and many other Latin American countries
It will cover visits to 30 European countries: the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus.
Who won’t need an ETIAS application? EU citizens, and residents with an EU residence permit or long-stay visa. People who need a Schengen visa won’t use ETIAS either: they’ll keep applying for a visa as before. For example, Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian and Chinese passport holders generally need a Schengen visa, not ETIAS. Our Schengen visa guide explains that route.
ETIAS vs Schengen visa: what’s the difference?
| ETIAS | Schengen visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it | Visa-exempt nationalities | Nationalities that need a visa |
| How you apply | Online, about 10 minutes | Form, documents and biometrics at a visa centre |
| Cost | EUR 20 (free under 18 and over 70) | Usually EUR 90 for adults |
| Decision time | Usually minutes, up to 4 days, or up to 30 days if more checks are needed | Usually around 15 days, sometimes longer |
| Validity | 3 years or until passport expiry | Set on the visa sticker |
| Stay allowed | Up to 90 days in any 180 | As stated on the visa, up to 90 days in any 180 |
How much will the ETIAS application cost?
The ETIAS application fee is EUR 20. The EU raised it from the originally planned EUR 7. Applicants under 18 and over 70 won’t pay the fee, but they will still need an approved ETIAS. Family members of EU citizens with free movement rights are also exempt from the fee.
Unofficial websites already charge EUR 50 to EUR 100 or more for “ETIAS services”. When ETIAS launches, use only the official EU website or app, or a transparent agency that clearly shows its service fee separately from the EUR 20 government fee.
What will the ETIAS application ask for?
The ETIAS application is designed to be quick. You’ll need:
- A valid passport from a visa-exempt country. Your ETIAS will be linked to that passport, so if you get a new passport, you’ll need a new ETIAS.
- Personal details: name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, email and phone number.
- Education and current job (general information only).
- Your first planned country of entry.
- Background questions about past criminal convictions, travel to conflict zones and previous refusals or removal orders.
- A payment card for the EUR 20 fee.
You won’t need to upload bank statements, bookings or invitation letters for the ETIAS application itself, but border officers can still ask for them on arrival.
Alif Visa Step by Step Process
ETIAS isn’t open yet, but here’s exactly how the Alif Visa process works for European travel today, and how it will work for your ETIAS application once the system launches.
- Check your requirements for free. Use the Alif Visa requirements checker: enter your nationality, choose your European destination and pick your travel purpose. You’ll see whether you need a Schengen visa, nothing at all for now, or an ETIAS once it launches.
- Start your application. Create your Alif Visa account and open the right application for your route. Travelling with family or colleagues? Add each traveller to the same application.
- Get your personal document checklist. We build a checklist for your exact case, and every item is marked as required, received or approved, so you always know what’s outstanding.
- Upload your documents. Send your passport scan and travel details through your dashboard. For a Schengen visa, this also includes bank statements, bookings and supporting letters.
- We review and prepare your file. Our team checks that every name, date and passport number matches your passport exactly, and that your answers to the background questions are complete and accurate.
- See the full fee breakdown and pay. The government fee (passed on at cost), the Alif Visa service fee and any extras such as insurance are listed separately before you pay. You get an invoice and receipt for every payment.
- Get your ALF reference. Your application receives a reference such as ALF-2026-000123. Quote it whenever you contact us.
- Submission on the official system. Once ETIAS is live, your ETIAS application is submitted only through the official EU channels. For Schengen visas, we book your visa centre appointment and prepare you for biometrics.
- Track your progress. Follow each stage from your dashboard, the Alif Visa app or our tracking page using your reference and email.
- Receive your decision and check it. Check that the passport number on your approval matches the passport you’ll travel with, and keep a copy with your travel documents.
The EU and national authorities alone decide every application; no agency can guarantee approval. If something goes wrong, we explain your options clearly.
Prefer to submit your ETIAS application yourself?
Once ETIAS launches, you’ll be able to apply directly on the official EU website or app. The process will be: fill in your passport and personal details, answer the background questions, pay the EUR 20 fee (if it applies to you) and wait for the email. Most decisions are expected within minutes. Apply well before you book non-refundable travel, in case your ETIAS application needs extra checks.
How long will an ETIAS application take?
The EU expects most ETIAS application decisions within minutes. If the system flags something, a manual review can take up to 4 days. If you’re asked for more information or an interview, it can take up to 30 days. That’s why it’s sensible to apply at least a few weeks before you travel, even though most approvals will be instant.
How long is ETIAS valid?
An approved ETIAS will be valid for 3 years, or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first. During that time you can make as many trips as you like, as long as you follow the 90/180-day rule: no more than 90 days in the Schengen area in any 180-day period. ETIAS doesn’t give you the right to work or study in Europe.
Why could an ETIAS application be refused?
The EU expects the vast majority of applications to be approved quickly. Refusals are more likely if:
- Your passport is reported lost or stolen, or details don’t match.
- You have serious criminal convictions or a security alert.
- You’ve overstayed in Europe before or been refused entry.
- You give false or incomplete answers on the ETIAS application.
If you’re refused, you’ll be told why and how to appeal in the country that made the decision. Honesty matters: a false answer is far worse than a disclosed issue with context.
Will freelancers need an ETIAS application?
Yes, if you hold a visa-exempt passport. Freelancers visiting Europe for holidays or short client meetings will use ETIAS just like other visitors once it starts. But ETIAS is not a work permit. Working for a European client while physically in Europe can raise questions, and long stays as a digital nomad need a proper national visa. Several countries, including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, offer digital nomad visas.
Will business owners need ETIAS for business trips?
Yes, for visa-exempt nationals. Business owners will need an approved ETIAS for meetings, conferences, trade fairs and negotiations in Europe. Carry an invitation letter and company documents in case border officers ask about your trip. If you’re managing a team, remember that every traveller needs their own ETIAS application, linked to their own passport.
Is ETIAS the same as the UK ETA?
No. The UK ETA is the United Kingdom’s own travel authorisation, and it’s already in operation for most visa-exempt visitors to the UK. ETIAS is the EU’s system for the Schengen area and Cyprus. If your trip includes both London and Paris, you may need both. Read our UK ETA guide for the British system.
What should visa-exempt travellers do while ETIAS is delayed?
You don’t need to wait for ETIAS to plan a trip to Europe. These checks matter right now:
- Passport validity: For Schengen travel, your passport should normally be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave, and it should have been issued within the last 10 years. Renew early if yours is close to either limit.
- The 90/180-day rule: Count every day you’ve spent in the Schengen area over the last 180 days. Overstaying, even by a few days, can lead to fines, entry bans and problems with a future ETIAS application.
- Allow extra time at the border: EES registration takes longer on your first visit, because officers or self-service kiosks take your fingerprints and photo. Some airports and ports saw long queues in 2026, so arrive early for onward connections.
- Carry supporting documents: Border officers may ask for a return ticket, hotel bookings, travel insurance and proof of funds. Keep printed or offline copies.
- Watch for official announcements: The EU has promised to give notice before ETIAS starts, followed by a transition period when travellers can still enter without it. Follow the official EU travel website rather than social media rumours.
Freelancers who travel often should keep a simple travel log of entry and exit dates, and business owners managing staff travel should add passport expiry dates to a shared calendar. Both habits will make the switch to ETIAS painless when it finally arrives.
How to avoid ETIAS scams
- Remember ETIAS isn’t live yet. Anyone selling an ETIAS application in 2026 is not official.
- Use only official EU domains ending in europa.eu once the system launches.
- Check the fee. The government fee is EUR 20. Agencies must show their own fee separately.
- Never share card details over messaging apps with “agents” who can’t show a real company identity.
- Ignore “guaranteed approval” promises. Only the authorities decide.
How can Alif Visa help with European travel?
Alif Visa is a private visa assistance company based in Wolverhampton, UK. We are not part of the EU or any government, and the authorities alone decide every application. Today we help visa-required travellers prepare complete Schengen visa files. When ETIAS launches, we’ll help eligible travellers prepare a correct ETIAS application and avoid mistakes. Our service fees are private charges shown separately from government fees.
We prepare visit files only. We don’t sell work or residence sponsorship, and we will never invent letters or backdate employment. When you’re ready, start an application or contact us: +44 7482 331249 · info@alifvisa.com. Learn more about Alif Visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit an ETIAS application now?
No. As of October 2026, ETIAS is not in operation and the EU is not collecting applications. Any website charging for an ETIAS application today is not official. Launch is now expected in 2027.
Is ETIAS a visa?
No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, similar to the US ESTA. It is a pre-travel security check, not a visa, and border officers still decide whether to let you in.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The fee will be EUR 20. Travellers under 18 or over 70 won’t pay the fee, but they’ll still need an approved ETIAS.
How long will ETIAS be valid?
An approved ETIAS will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can make multiple trips, staying up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Do Pakistani passport holders need ETIAS?
No. Pakistani passport holders, like other visa-required nationals, apply for a Schengen visa instead. ETIAS is only for travellers from visa-exempt countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Is ETIAS the same as the UK ETA?
No. The UK ETA is for travel to the United Kingdom and is already in operation. ETIAS is the EU system for the Schengen area and Cyprus. A trip to both may need both authorisations.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
EES is the EU’s digital border system that replaced passport stamps for non-EU visitors. It records your fingerprints and photo at the border on your first visit. It’s separate from ETIAS and needs no action before you travel.
Does Alif Visa issue ETIAS?
No. Only the EU’s official system will issue ETIAS approvals. Alif Visa is a private company that helps travellers prepare correct applications and Schengen visa files. Our service fee is always shown separately from government fees.
