ETIAS: what we know about cost, validity and the start date
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a travel authorisation for travellers who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area. It is not a visa and it does not give you more days: your stay is still limited by the 90/180 rule.
The facts
- Cost: 20 euros. The Commission announced the figure on 17 July 2025, and it applies from the day ETIAS starts. Applicants under 18 and over 70 do not pay.
- Validity: three years, or until the passport you used expires, whichever comes first, for multiple entries.
- Start date: the Commission's article of 28 April 2026 says ETIAS is planned for the last quarter of 2026, with the exact date to be announced. Check the official site before you travel, because the date is the one thing that can still move.
- Not the same as the EES: the EES records your crossings and is already operating. ETIAS is an authorisation you request before you travel.
Be careful with copycat sites
Only the official EU website and app take ETIAS applications. Third-party sites that charge extra to "help" you are not the official service.
What to do now
If you are a visa-exempt traveller, plan for ETIAS the way you plan for a passport that must be valid: apply well before you travel once applications open, and keep counting your days with the free calculator.
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