Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Europe or a frequent traveler across the pond, you should be aware that there are changes afoot. In late 2026, the European Union plans to introduce new entry requirements for U.S. travelers, following the rollout of a new electronic entry and exit system in April this year. Be prepared for Europe’s electronic travel authorization and ensure a stress-free trip with our helpful guide.

What Is the ETIAS?

Sometime during the fourth quarter of 2026, the EU intends to implement a new electronic authorization for travelers from qualifying visa-exempt countries such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. If you were previously able to enter Europe for a short-term stay without obtaining a visa, you will now need to apply for an ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, before you travel.

You’ll need to apply for an ETIAS if you’re visiting one or more of 30 European countries — 26 out of the 27 members of the EU (excluding the Republic of Ireland), plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Additionally, since Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are accessible only via another EU country, these destinations are also impacted by the change.  

Once your ETIAS travel authorization has been approved — a process that should take no more than three days, and typically even less than that — you can travel to these European countries as often as you want for as many as 90 days in any 180-day period. The ETIAS is valid for three years, as long as you are using the same passport.

Why Is the ETIAS Being Introduced?

Effectively, the ETIAS acts as a prescreening program. It will operate in a similar way to the long-established ESTA that eligible visitors have needed to apply for prior to arriving in the U.S. since 2009. It also follows a similar move by the U.K., which introduced its Electronic Travel Application (ETA) in 2025.

The application will collect personal details and ask about your travel plans, criminal convictions, and other relevant data in advance. In doing so, EU border authorities believe they can boost security for their citizens by having a better understanding up front about who is traveling in and out of the Schengen Area. The system also aims to cut down on immigration wait times by providing essential information in advance.

The ETIAS follows the introduction of Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which began a phased rollout in October 2025 and went fully live on April 10, 2026. (Not without a few hiccups, however.) The new digital border control system replaces traditional passport stamps with electronic passenger details and biometrics. Passengers will find the new fully digital entry and exit checkpoints in the same countries above that are implementing the ETIAS, with the exception of Cyprus (for the time being).

It’s been reported that the ETIAS will go live six months after the new EES. So, while the EU has yet to announce a firm date, we can expect to see it sometime in October 2026, after which travelers will have to apply and pay for authorization in advance to visit most of Europe.

What Will an ETIAS Cost?

The ETIAS hit headlines recently when it was announced that the fee would be 20 euros (around $23 USD) per person, rather than the 7-euro fee that was initially proposed. Notably, travelers who are under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 are exempt from the application fee, though all travelers will still have to apply and be approved for an ETIAS regardless of their age.

This price hike comes in response to inflation and higher operating costs than were previously expected. It has also taken longer than anticipated to roll out the ETIAS, largely due to the need to align policies and coordinate procedures between so many different countries. EU authorities expect the increased revenue to help pay for features such as upgraded automation, stronger encryption, and improved coordination with the new Entry/Exit System (EES).

How Does the ETIAS Compare to Other Visas?

Despite the higher cost of an ETIAS, Europeans currently pay significantly more for an ESTA to be able to visit the U.S.. In September 2025, the U.S. government hiked the cost of the ESTA, nearly doubling it from $21 to $40 USD.

Other countries have introduced similar electronic travel authorizations or are considering their implementation. For example, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the U.K. costs £20 (around $27) as of April 2026. Hop on a flight to Australia, and your ETA will set you back AU$20 ($14 USD); for New Zealand, it’s NZ$17 ($10 USD). 

While no one likes extra tourism fees, in practice, paying an additional $23 for a European vacation or business trip isn’t likely to be a deal breaker for most travelers, given the cost of the trip as a whole. However, it’s important to be prepared for these new entry requirements ahead of time so you can avoid any last-minute stress before you jet off to Europe later this year.