Quick Answer
ETIAS has not launched yet, and as of September 2026 there is no confirmed start date. The European Union removed its “last quarter of 2026” target from the official ETIAS website in July 2026, with 2027 now the more realistic expectation. UK travellers currently need nothing new for ETIAS, though the separate Entry/Exit System, which involves fingerprints and a photo at the border, is already fully operational.
ETIAS and EES Are Not the Same Thing
These two systems get confused constantly, and it’s worth being clear about the difference before anything else. The Entry/Exit System, or EES, is a biometric border check that replaces passport stamps with fingerprints and a facial photo. It has been fully operational at every Schengen external border since April 2026, so if you’ve travelled to Europe recently, you’ve likely already gone through it.
ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a separate online travel authorisation you’ll need to apply for before your trip, similar to the US ESTA or the UK’s own ETA scheme. This is the system that has not launched yet.
Why the Launch Keeps Being Delayed
ETIAS was originally meant to launch in 2021, and has been repeatedly pushed back since. The most recent target, the last quarter of 2026, was formally removed from the official EU ETIAS website in mid-July 2026, following reporting that the EU’s technical agency, eu-LISA, had concluded a 2026 launch was no longer feasible.
The EU cited a mix of factors, including insufficient staffing and infrastructure at national level, alongside knock-on issues from the EES rollout. A further eu-LISA board meeting was expected in September 2026 to settle on a revised timeline, with 2027 currently seen as the more realistic outcome.
What This Means If You’re Booking a Trip Now
For any trip booked in the near term, nothing changes. You do not need to apply for anything new, and no legitimate ETIAS application is currently open, since the system isn’t live. Any website currently claiming to process ETIAS applications should be treated as fraudulent.
Once ETIAS does launch, the EU has committed to giving at least six months’ public notice before it becomes mandatory, so there will be a clear warning period rather than a sudden requirement appearing overnight.
What ETIAS Will Involve, Once It Launches
When it does eventually go live, the core details are expected to remain as previously set out. It will apply to visa-exempt travellers, including UK, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period across the Schengen Area’s 30 participating countries.
The fee is set at 20 euros, raised from an original 7 euros, with applicants under 18 or over 70 exempt from the charge, though still required to hold the authorisation itself. Once granted, it’s valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers unlimited short trips within that window rather than needing to be renewed for each holiday.
What You Should Actually Do Right Now
Keep your passport in good order regardless of ETIAS, since the existing rule that it must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area still applies today, independently of any future authorisation.
Build a small amount of extra time into airport connections for EES checks, since the biometric registration at your first crossing has added noticeable queue time at some busy airports during 2026. Ignore any site offering to “pre-register” or “secure your place” for ETIAS ahead of launch, since the genuine application portal isn’t open and won’t be until closer to the real start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has ETIAS launched yet?
No. As of September 2026, ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being accepted. The previous “last quarter of 2026” target was removed from the official EU website in July 2026.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS to travel to Europe right now?
No, not yet. UK travellers currently need only a valid passport, though they will go through EES biometric checks, fingerprints and a photo, at the border, since that system is already fully operational.
What’s the difference between ETIAS and EES?
EES is a biometric border check, already live, that records your entry and exit. ETIAS is a separate online travel authorisation you’ll need to apply for in advance, similar to a US ESTA, which has not launched yet.
How much will ETIAS cost when it launches?
The fee is set at 20 euros, with applicants under 18 or over 70 exempt from paying, though everyone will still need the authorisation itself once it’s mandatory.
Planning a European trip and want help navigating the changing entry requirements? See our comparison of travel agent vs booking online, and check what your travel insurance covers before you book.
