Navigating ETIAS: What Travelers Heading to Europe Need to Know

Before too long, millions of travelers who want to go to a country in the Schengen area (and/or Cyprus) will need to apply for ETIAS to do so.

You may have heard the word ETIAS being tossed around or seen it in a few news stories... but what is it? And how exactly does it affect your travel plans?

ETIAS is short for European Travel Information and Authorization System, and it's a new requirement for visa-exempt citizens traveling to countries like France, Italy, and Spain. But what exactly does that mean?

In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know about this new requirement, from things like what it is to how to apply for it, and also how it's going to affect travelers from countries like the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia.

Is ETIAS a visa?

No, though it can be easy to confuse the two. ETIAS is essentially permission to enter a country in the Schengen area.

To understand how it works and why it's being instituted, you need to first know that some countries have visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen area. If you’re not familiar with the Schengen area, it’s a collection of European countries that have agreed to abolish internal border checks. This lets travelers go from country to country without needing additional permissions. Think of it like traveling from state to state in the US.

When countries have this agreement, it means that their citizens can visit any country in the Schengen area without requiring a visa (for stays shorter than 90 days within a 180-day period). For example, US citizens can go to France for up to 90 days without a visa.

Countries with visa waiver agreements with the zone include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and several others. This makes their citizens visa-exempt.

Instead of getting a visa, travelers from visa-exempt countries need to obtain ETIAS authorization to enter the Schengen zone from 2026 on.

ETIAS is similar to the US's ESTA. Like ESTA, ETIAS will screen travelers before they enter the zone, making the Schengen area even safer and more secure.

Ultimately, if you're a citizen from the US, UK, Canada, and any other visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to the Schengen area from 2026 on.

What does ETIAS stand for?

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a new requirement for travelers who do not need a visa to go to the countries in the Schengen area.

What is an ETIAS visa?

Even though many people call ETIAS a visa, it’s important to clarify that ETIAS is not a visa.

In fact, visa policies for the Schengen area aren't changing. Travelers who didn't need a visa for short stays in Europe before still do not need one.

Instead, they will need to complete the ETIAS application (which is a travel authorization, not a visa) before entering the Schengen zone.

In the same vein, travelers who previously needed a visa for short stays in the Schengen area will still need a visa, but they will not need to apply for ETIAS.

ETIAS is not replacing the Schengen visa: they will coexist, and travelers need one or the other.

Note: EU/Schengen country citizens are exempt from both ETIAS and Schengen visas.

The purpose of ETIAS

The main purpose of ETIAS is to strengthen security measures within the Schengen area and the European Union. By requiring travelers from visa-exempt countries to register with ETIAS, the EU can more effectively track travelers, which allows them to manage risks related to a variety of potential border issues such as trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism, and even public health threats (such as pandemics). Additionally, ETIAS will streamline border checks and improve efficiency, ensuring a smoother (and safer!) travel experience for everyone.

ETIAS isn’t meant to replace the Schengen visa, and in fact, it can’t. It’s purely permission to go into the Schengen area.

Countries you need ETIAS for

If you’re a citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or another visa-exempt country, you’ll need to get ETIAS approval in order to travel to the Schengen area, which includes these 29 countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Cyprus as well.

If you are getting a visa for your trip to any of the countries above, you do not need to apply for ETIAS. The visa requirements remain the same, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, Schengen visa insurance, etc.

Travelers who will need to apply for ETIAS

Travelers from visa-exempt countries who plan to stay in the Schengen area for short trips (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) will need ETIAS authorization (this includes citizens from the US, UK, and Canada, as well as others). Many travelers will need ETIAS moving forward.

If you hold a Schengen visa, you do not need ETIAS, as your visa already gives you travel authorization.

Citizens of the following countries will need ETIAS when going to the Schengen area from 2026 on:

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela

ETIAS for US Citizens

For US citizens, ETIAS is a mandatory requirement starting in 2026.

Americans can travel to the Schengen area (many countries in Europe) without a visa for trips up to 90 days. Once ETIAS is fully implemented, US travelers still won’t need a visa, but instead, they will need to complete a pre-travel authorization before their trip. This simple process is entirely online and will require basic information like passport details, travel plans, and background information related to security and health.

If you are a US citizen and are applying for a visa for your stay in the Schengen area, you do not need ETIAS. ETIAS is simply a travel authorization, and a visa already authorizes you, so you don’t need both.

Once approved, ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

ETIAS for UK Citizens

UK citizens, who enjoy visa-free travel in the Schengen area will now need to obtain ETIAS authorization, from 2026 on. UK travelers must complete the ETIAS application online to visit any Schengen country.

If you are from the UK and are getting a visa for your travels to the Schengen area, you won't need to obtain ETIAS approval.

ETIAS for Canadian citizens

From 2026 on, Canadian citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS if they plan to visit any country in the Schengen area (Spain, France, Italy, etc.). The process is quick and easy, requiring an online application and payment of a small fee (7 euros).

If you’re a Canadian citizen and are getting a visa for your trip to the Schengen area, you do not need to apply for ETIAS.

ETIAS for Australian citizens

Australian citizens, like those from other visa-exempt countries, will have to apply for ETIAS before visiting the Schengen area once ETIAS goes live (the end of 2026). You’ll need to fill out an online application with a few details (name, passport number, etc.), and then pay a small fee.

If you are applying for a visa for your travels to the Schengen area, you will not need to apply for ETIAS as your visa already covers you for travel authorization.

ETIAS requirements

To apply for ETIAS, you have to meet the following requirements.

• Hold a valid passport from a visa-exempt country (such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia).
• Complete the ETIAS application form (you’ll be prompted to fill this out. It should only take 15 minutes or so).
• Have a debit or credit card to pay a small fee (€7 for adults; free for travelers under 18 and over 70).
• Give a valid email address to receive your ETIAS authorization.
• Answer a few questions about your background.

Is ETIAS mandatory?

Yes, from 2026 on, ETIAS will be mandatory for all travelers from visa-exempt countries entering the Schengen area. This new requirement applies to travelers of all ages, including minors.

ETIAS is not required for travelers who previously needed a visa to visit the Schengen area. If you needed a visa before, you will still need a visa in order to go to a Schengen country.

If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, you do not need to apply for ETIAS.

How to travel to Europe with an ETIAS

ETIAS is electronically linked to your passport, so you don’t need to bring any paperwork or proof to the airport.

However, it's a good idea to keep a copy of your ETIAS approval email just in case there are any issues at border control, though the entire system was designed to be digital.

What happens if you forget to apply for ETIAS before your trip?

If you forget to apply for ETIAS, you may be denied boarding at the airport or entry into the Schengen area on arrival.

It’s very very important to apply for ETIAS before your trip once it's mandatory. Luckily, the application process is supposed to be quick and simple, giving you authorization in just a few minutes. That said, it's recommended that you apply at least a few days in advance of your travel date.

ETIAS approval, while it’s typically immediate, can take up to 30 days, so make sure to plan accordingly.

FAQs about ETIAS