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ETIAS: start date and current status

As of 31 October 2026 there is no confirmed start date for ETIAS, and applications are not open. You do not need ETIAS for any trip today.

Updated · checked against official sources

Where things stand

The EU's own position is short: ETIAS is not yet in operation, no applications are collected, and the start date will be announced several months before launch. The Australian government's travel advice (updated August 2026) says the same: "There is no confirmed date for the implementation of ETIAS."

For a long time the planned start was the last quarter of 2026. That wording is no longer on the official pages. Many websites still repeat it, so be careful with articles that give a fixed date or a fee as if confirmed.

Watch out for unofficial sites that offer to "apply for ETIAS" or "pre-register" for a fee. Until the system launches, there is nothing to apply for. When it does, only apply through the official EU website.

What ETIAS will be

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will be an online travel authorisation for people who do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area, for example citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You will apply online before you travel, and the authorisation will be linked to your passport.

ETIAS is a pre-travel check. It does not give you more days, and it does not count your days; that is the job of the Entry/Exit System, which is already live.

What to do now

  • Travel as before: no ETIAS is needed until the EU announces the start.
  • Make sure your passport was issued within the last 10 years and is valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave.
  • Count your days under the 90/180 rule; that rule applies regardless of ETIAS.
  • Check back here: we update this page when the EU announces a date.

Frequently asked questions

When does ETIAS start?

There is no official date. The EU has said it will announce the start several months in advance. Earlier target dates, including "the last quarter of 2026", are no longer official.

Do I need ETIAS for a trip right now?

No. Applications are not being collected. Any website that sells you an ETIAS today is not an official EU service.

Will ETIAS change the 90/180 rule?

No. ETIAS is a permission to travel. The time you may stay is still at most 90 days in any 180-day period, counted by the EES.

I am a dual citizen of an EU country. Will I need ETIAS?

No, and you will not be able to get one. The Australian government advises dual citizens of a participating country to enter on that country's passport.

Official sources