Schengen visa resources
ETIAS explained
ETIAS explained — a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to around 30 European countries, costing EUR 20, expected to start in late 2026 (official EU ETIAS guidance).
Important
ETIAS is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers coming to Europe for short stays. This page explains it in plain language, attributed to the official EU ETIAS guidance; always confirm the current position on the official site before you travel.
What ETIAS is
According to the official EU ETIAS guidance (travel-europe.europa.eu/etias), ETIAS is a travel authorisation — not a visa — for visa-exempt travellers visiting around 30 European countries. It entitles the holder to short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the same short-stay rules.
Your travel document
The EU ETIAS guidance states that your travel document must be valid for at least 3 more months and must not be older than 10 years. Check your passport well ahead of travel so there is time to renew it if needed.
Cost and start date
The EU ETIAS guidance states that an ETIAS application costs EUR 20, with some travellers exempt from the fee. ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. Because dates and details can change, always confirm the current position on the official ETIAS site before relying on it.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-10. Information only — not legal advice.