No, you did not need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to travel to Spain in 2023. Although the program was originally discussed for a 2023 launch, the European Union officially delayed its implementation multiple times due to technical hurdles and the need for member states to prepare their border infrastructure. Throughout the entirety of 2023, travelers from visa-exempt countries (such as the U.S., Canada, and the UK) continued to enter Spain using only their valid passports under the standard Schengen Area rules. As of early 2026, the ETIAS system has finally become operational, requiring a small fee and an online application for short-term stays. However, for anyone looking back at 2023 travel requirements, the only "extra" documentation typically needed was related to the tail-end of COVID-19 travel protocols, which were also largely phased out by mid-2023. The confusion often stems from the fact that many travel websites did not update their "launch date" predictions in real-time, leading many to believe a new visa-waiver was required much earlier than it actually was.