Can I apply for ETIAS now?

It is expected that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be operational from mid-2025.



No, you cannot apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) as of March 2026. According to the latest European Union updates, the system is scheduled to become operational in the last quarter of 2026. The official website and mobile app for applications have not yet been launched for public use. Once the system goes live, travelers from visa-exempt countries (like the U.S., Canada, and the UK) will be required to apply online before traveling to 30 European countries. The application will cost €7 and is expected to be approved within minutes for most travelers. There will be a "grace period" of six months after the launch where the ETIAS is encouraged but not strictly mandatory for entry. For now, you should continue to travel to the Schengen Area using only your valid passport. Be wary of "scam" websites claiming to offer ETIAS registrations early; always use the official europa.eu domain once the service becomes available later this year.

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ETIAS Application. Travellers that are currently able to visit EU Schengen countries without a visa, will not need to apply for ETIAS until 2024. However, other travellers requiring a Schengen Visa to visit Europe for tourism, business or transit purposes will be unaffected by ETIAS.

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Introduction. The European Union has recently revised the introduction of the ETIAS. It will now be launched in 2025, which is a push-back from the previously planned 2020, 2022 and 2023 launches. ETIAS stands for EU Travel Information & Authorisation System.

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There will also be multiple traveller data-points that will be shared between the Schengen zone which it is hoped will improve the future security of the bloc. ETIAS will be required for eligible travellers entering Spain starting in early 2025.

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ETIAS will cost 7 euros (about $8 or 6 British pounds) for a three-year permit that allows third-country nationals to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Only visitors between 18 and 70 will need to pay the application fee, but all ages will need ETIAS authorization to enter.

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ETIAS Transitional and Grace Periods ETIAS will not be mandatory for U.S. citizens right away. There will be a 6-month transitional period followed by a 6-month grace period. During the 6-month transitional period, Americans will be allowed to cross the external border without ETIAS.

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Do infants, children or teens need an ETIAS? Yes, all travellers, regardless of their age, will require a separate and approved ETIAS in order to travel to the European Union. However, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, are exempt from paying the €7 processing fee.

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When applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers will need to provide their personal information, including address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions. No biometric data, such as fingerprints, is collected with ETIAS.

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Starting in 2024, people from more than 60 visa-free countries will need to get a travel authorisation before coming to Europe for a brief stay. The authorisation will be processed through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

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Visa Information for Italy
This is something to keep in mind before your trip, given from early 2023, anyone who is not a citizen of the European Union and wants to visit Italy or any member country of the Schengen area must have the ETIAS. Similarly, the Schengen agreement is a treaty between 26 European countries.

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4. What questions will be on the ETIAS?
  • Personal information: name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and contact details.
  • Passport information: passport number, expiration date, and country of issuance.
  • Travel information: point of entry to the Schengen Area, intended length of stay, and accommodation details.


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Decisions on whether the ETIAS will be granted are made on a case-by-case basis. As ETIAS is in place to prevent terrorism and serious crime in Europe, only those individuals deemed a threat will go on to have their request denied. Travelers with minor convictions should not be deterred from applying for ETIAS.

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Beginning in November 2023, U.S. visitors to the European Union will be required to pay a seven-euro charge (about $7.13), and must apply for approval before they arrive via a website or app.

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