ETIAS — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — is a new requirement for travellers who currently visit the Schengen Area without a visa. It is modelled on the United States' ESTA: a quick online form, a small fee, and an electronic approval tied to your passport. This guide covers who needs it, what it costs, how long it lasts, how to apply, and — importantly — what it does not do.
Key facts
- Who: nationals of visa-exempt countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and around 60 others) travelling for short stays.
- Cost: expected EUR 7; free for applicants under 18 or over 70.
- Validity: 3 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
- Not a visa, not a guarantee of entry, and not extra days — the 90/180 rule still applies.
- A transitional grace period is planned when it first becomes mandatory.
Who needs ETIAS
You need ETIAS if all of the following are true:
- You hold a passport from a country whose nationals do not need a Schengen visa for short stays.
- You are travelling for tourism, business, family visits, or transit for up to 90 days in any 180.
- You do not already hold a Schengen visa, a long-stay national visa, or an EU/EEA/Swiss residence permit.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need ETIAS. Nor do their family members holding a residence card. If you need a Schengen visa today, you will continue to use the visa process, not ETIAS.
What it costs and how long it lasts
The fee is expected to be EUR 7, charged once per successful application. Applicants aged under 18 or 70 and over are exempt from the fee but still need the authorisation. Once granted, ETIAS is valid for three years, or until your passport expires — so if your passport has only 18 months left, your ETIAS will expire then too, and you will reapply with the new passport.
Within its validity, ETIAS allows unlimited entries. Each entry is still subject to the 90/180 count. If you change passports, you must obtain a new ETIAS linked to the new document even if the old one has time left.
How to apply
- Use the official website or app only. There is a single official ETIAS portal; third-party sites charge markups for the same service.
- Have your passport ready. You will enter document number, issue and expiry dates, and personal details exactly as printed.
- Answer the background questions (criminal history, prior immigration issues, recent conflict-zone travel).
- Pay the fee by card.
- Wait for the decision. Most are approved within minutes. Some take up to 96 hours, and a minority are referred for manual review that can take up to 30 days — so apply well before booking non-refundable travel.
- Check the result is linked to the correct passport. You do not need to print anything, but keeping a copy is sensible.
What ETIAS does not do
- It does not extend your stay. 90 days in any 180 is unchanged.
- It does not guarantee entry. A border officer can still refuse you if other conditions (funds, purpose, return ticket) are not met.
- It does not replace a visa for nationalities that need one, or for long stays and work.
- It is not transferable between passports or people.
Before you apply, make sure the trip you are planning actually fits inside your remaining 90/180 allowance — ETIAS approval says nothing about your day count. The calculator on this site checks that in seconds.
Confirm your 90/180 allowance
ETIAS approval doesn't tell you your day count — this does.Frequently asked questions
Is ETIAS a visa?
No. It is a travel authorisation — no consulate appointment, no biometrics, granted electronically, usually within minutes.
Do I need ETIAS if I already hold a Schengen visa or residence permit?
No. Holders of a valid Schengen visa or an EU residence permit are exempt. ETIAS is for travellers who are visa-exempt for short stays.
Does ETIAS let me stay longer than 90 days?
No. It allows multiple visits within its validity, but each visit is still capped at 90 days in any 180.