ETIAS in 2025: What Tourists Need to Know Before Travelling to Europe

Europe is preparing to roll out ETIAS, a new travel authorisation for visitors who can currently enter many European countries without a visa. For tourists, the change does not create a traditional visa requirement, but it does add a new administrative step before departure.

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What ETIAS changes for travellers

ETIAS will apply to visa-exempt travellers from around 60 non-EU countries, including the UK. Before a short stay in the Schengen Area, travellers will need to complete an online application, provide passport and personal details, answer security questions and, in most cases, pay a fee of 7 euros.

Validity, exemptions and rollout

Once approved, the authorisation will be linked to the passport and is generally expected to remain valid for three years or until the passport expires. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from the fee, although they still need to apply. EU authorities have also indicated that an initial grace period is expected when the system starts.

Why this matters in 2025

The new system is part of a broader EU effort to modernise border management and strengthen security. For tourists, the practical impact is straightforward: short trips to Europe will require more planning, especially for families, frequent travellers and anyone booking at short notice.

How to prepare for your next trip

Travellers should check passport validity well in advance, follow the official ETIAS launch timeline and leave enough time for the online application before departure. It is also important to understand that ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa, and that it will operate alongside other border modernisation measures in Europe.