ETIAS Timeline Explained: Transitional and Grace Periods for Visa-Free Travellers

ETIAS is not yet in operation, and at the time of writing it was confirmed that it would not start in the first half of 2025. No action is required from travellers at this stage; the European Union will give several months' notice before the system goes live. When it does, the rules for visa-free travel to Europe will change for nationals of dozens of countries and territories.

The launch will follow the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) by a few months. The EES will require identity, travel-document and biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering for a short stay; importantly, no biometric data is collected for ETIAS itself. Once both are in place, nationals of the visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation online before they travel, using the official ETIAS website or the official mobile app. Similar requirements already exist in the United States, Canada and Australia.

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The transitional period

The change to Europe's travel rules will be introduced gradually rather than overnight. The launch of ETIAS will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. During this time, travellers should already apply for their ETIAS travel authorisation before a trip. However, those who do not yet hold one will not be refused entry, as long as they meet all the remaining entry conditions.

In other words, the transitional period is a phase where ETIAS is expected but not yet strictly enforced at the border. It gives travellers and carriers time to adjust to the new requirement before it becomes mandatory in practice.

The grace period and what to do now

After the transitional phase comes the grace period, which will also last at least six months. During the grace period, travellers must hold an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter the 30 European countries that require it. There is one exception: travellers coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period may be allowed to enter without an ETIAS, provided they meet all the remaining entry conditions. All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold a valid authorisation.

For now, the most useful step is simply to stay informed and be ready to apply once the official start date is announced. There is only one official ETIAS website, and travellers should be wary of look-alike sites. To understand how the authorisation fits into the wider entry system, you can read this overview of how ETIAS works.