ETIAS will start requiring travel authorization for visitors to the EU by April 2027.*

Foreign travelers enjoying visa-free entry to the EU won’t need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) until at least April 2027. The European Commission states that while ETIAS could be implemented by late 2026, travelers will have a grace period before it becomes mandatory.

The rollout of ETIAS coincides with the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is planned to launch gradually starting October this year. If successfully implemented by this date, travelers crossing borders will need to comply with new biometric registration protocols.

During the initial six months after the launch of EES, ETIAS will remain optional for visa-exempt travelers. Post the trial period, compliance will be required, except for first-time entrants to the EU, who will have an additional six months to get an ETIAS.

In summary, ETIAS will become essential for the majority in April 2027, solidifying its status in October 2027 for all visa-exempt guests.