After multiple delays stretching back to 2018, the European Commission has confirmed that ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. Travellers from around 60 visa-waiver countries will need the €20 pre-travel authorisation to enter any of the 30 Schengen-area nations.

The rollout will include a six-month transitional period during which entry without ETIAS will still be permitted, giving airlines, border agencies, and travellers time to adjust. After that, ETIAS will be strictly enforced, passengers without a valid authorisation will be denied boarding at the airline check-in.

The €20 fee, valid for up to three years or until passport expiry, applies to everyone aged 18 to 70. Children and seniors are exempt from the fee but must still apply. The only official portal will be travel-europe.europa.eu/etias, and the EU is already warning travellers about scam sites charging inflated fees.