ETIAS
Published 5 November 2026, 03:36
ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorisation System
A forthcoming travel authorisation for 30 European countries that travellers who do not need a visa will have to obtain in advance. It is linked to your passport, is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and lets you enter as many times as you like for short stays. It does not guarantee entry: your documents will still be checked at the border.
Where you come across it. Visa-free travel on a biometric passport from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia or Serbia.
As of 6 September 2026 the system is not running and is not accepting applications; the European Commission promises to announce the launch date several months in advance. So none of the paid "ETIAS application services" can actually get you anything right now. Anyone who needs a Schengen visa, such as citizens of Russia and Kazakhstan, will not need ETIAS even after the launch: it is only for visa-free travellers.
Official website: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-etias