ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorisation System
The rules of travel to most European countries have changed.
ETIAS will start operating in the last quarter of 2026. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
Once ETIAS launches, we will start offering services connected to it.
What is an ETIAS?
ETIAS is the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter European countries. It is linked to a traveller's passport. It is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, having ETIAS travel authorisation does not automatically guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border officer will ask to see your passport and other documents to verify that you meet the entry conditions.
Which countries require it?
These 30 European countries require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation.
Who does NOT need it?
You will not need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you are:
◇ a national of a European country requiring ETIAS or Ireland
If you have multiple nationalities and one of them is from a European country requiring ETIAS or Ireland, you must use your travel document issued by that European country during your trip to any of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS.
◇ a national of the United Kingdom who is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement
UK nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement and hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document issued in the uniform format are exempt from ETIAS.
Withdrawal Agrement beneficiaries whose host country is Ireland are not exempt from ETIAS.
In addition, Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries who hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence issued by Cyprus need and ETIAS travel authorisation to visit any of the other European countries requiring ETIAS.
◇ a national of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and holder of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
◇ a refugee, a stateless person or a person who does not hold nationality of any country and you reside in any of the European countries requiring ETIAS and hold a travel document issued by that country
◇ a holder of a residence card issued by any European country requiring ETIAS or Ireland
◇ a holder of a residence permit issued by any European country requiring ETIAS except for Cyprus
Travellers holding a residence permit issued pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, including a residence document issued under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, by any European country requiring ETIAS, except for Cyprus, do not need an ETIAS.
◇ a holder of a uniform visa
◇ a holder of a national long-stay visa
◇ a holder of a local border traffic permit, but only within the context of the Local Border Traffic
◇ a holder of a diplomatic, service or special passport
All visa-free nationals who travel with a diplomatic, service/official or special passport are exempt from the requirement to hold an ETIAS travel authorisation.
This exemption also applies to visa-required nationals whose countries have concluded international agreements with the EU allowing the holders of diplomatic, service or special passports to travel without a visa. This means that nationals of the following countries can travel to European countries requiring ETIAS both without an ETIAS and without a visa:
◇ Armenia, Azerbaijan, China (holders of diplomatic passports only)
◇ Cape Verde (holders of diplomatic and service/official passports only)
◇ Belarus (holders of diplomatic biometric passports only)
All other visa-required nationals who travel with a diplomatic, service/official or special passport are also exempt from the obligation to hold an ETIAS travel authorisation. However, they may be obliged to have a visa to visit the European countries requiring ETIAS. If you fall in this category, make sure to contact the consulates of the countries you intend to travel to, to check if you need a visa.
◇ a holder of a travel document issued by intergovernmental international organisations provided for in Part 3 of Decision No 1105/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council
◇ an intra-corporate transferee, a student or researcher exercising your right to mobility in accordance with Directive 2014/66/EU or Directive (EU) 2016/801
◇ a NATO International Civilian based in any of the European countries requiring ETIAS or their dependant
You will need to prove your status when you enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS. If you cannot prove your status because the appropriate documentation is not yet ready, you will need to be in possession of an ETIAS travel authorisation. Once you obtain the relevant documentation, your personal data will be deleted from the ETIAS system.
◇ a beneficiary of the Temporary Protective Directive
Who needs it?
Nationals of any of these visa-exempt countries and territories need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation.
There are specific travel document requirements for nationals of certain visa-exempt countries or territories - make sure to check if these apply to the travel document you have.
If you come from any of the visa-exempt countries or territories listed above and you are a family member of an EU citizen or of a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, there are special regulations that apply to you. Please check the official website.
Nationals of the United Kingdom
UK nationals are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period).
UK nationals who wish to stay longer must meet the entry requirements in accordance with national or EU migration law, such as holding a visa or residence permit.
ETIAS exemptions for UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement
UK nationals and their family members who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from ETIAS if they hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document issued in the uniform format by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS. They may reside on the territory of their EU host country and may travel to other European countries requiring ETIAS based on their Withdrawal Agreement residence document.
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