EU ETIAS Travel Authorisation Delayed Until Late 2026

The European Union's long-planned ETIAS travel authorisation system will not begin as early as many travellers expected. According to the latest timeline, the system is now scheduled to start operations in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition period that means mandatory payment may not affect many visitors until 2027.

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What ETIAS Means for Travellers

ETIAS, short for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will apply to travellers from visa-exempt non-EU countries who want to enter the Schengen Area for short stays. This includes visitors from countries such as the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.

Applicants will need to complete an online form, provide personal and passport details, answer security-related questions, and receive approval before travelling. Once approved, the authorisation is linked to the passport and is generally valid for three years or until the passport expires.

Why the Launch Has Been Delayed

The ETIAS rollout depends on the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which is designed to digitally record the arrival and departure of non-EU travellers using biometric and passport data. Because the EES has faced repeated technical and operational delays, ETIAS has also moved back.

The EES is expected to begin a phased rollout in October 2025, with full implementation anticipated by April 2026. Only after that system is fully operational can ETIAS go live.

How Much It Could Cost

The original ETIAS application fee was set at EUR 7, but the European Commission has since proposed increasing it to EUR 20. The higher amount has been linked to inflation and the operational costs of running the system.

Not everyone will have to pay. The fee is expected to be waived for:

• travellers under 18
• travellers over 70
• certain family members of EU citizens
• certain family members of non-EU nationals with EU free-movement rights

When Travellers May Actually Need to Pay

Even when ETIAS begins in late 2026, it is expected to be introduced with a six-month transitional period. During that phase, the system may not be strictly enforced for all travellers immediately. In practical terms, that means some visitors may not have to pay or present ETIAS authorisation until well into 2027.

What Travellers Should Do Now

For now, travellers do not need to apply yet. But anyone planning trips to Europe in 2026 and 2027 should monitor official EU updates closely, especially if they are travelling without a visa. The key point is clear: ETIAS is coming, but not just yet.

For frequent visitors to Europe, the delay offers more preparation time, while also signalling that border procedures across the Schengen Area are becoming more digital, more standardised, and more security-focused.