Overview

• Applicants aged 18 to 70 will pay €20 for a three-year ETIAS travel authorisation, up from the originally envisaged €7 to cover inflation and extra operational costs.
• The Entry/Exit System is set to start non-biometric operations in October 2025 and achieve full biometric functionality by April 2026.
• ETIAS will launch around October 2026 with a six-month transition and six-month grace period that postpones mandatory authorisation until April 2027 and full enforcement by October 2027.
• UK passport holders will not need an ETIAS until at least April 2027 but face possible denial of entry to Schengen countries if they travel without one thereafter.
• Most ETIAS applications will receive an almost immediate decision online, although those flagged for data errors or security concerns may be subject to further checks or refusal.