Quick answer

ETIAS isn't required yet. ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a future online travel authorization that Americans will need before visiting most of Europe. As of October 2026, it has no start date. The EU removed its "late 2026" target in July 2026, and says it will announce the date several months ahead. For trips to Europe today, Americans need only a valid passport.

Don't pay any website for ETIAS now. No applications are being accepted anywhere. Sites taking "ETIAS applications" or payments today aren't official.

What Americans need for Europe today

  • A U.S. passport that is:
    • valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area;
    • issued within the last 10 years.
  • No visa for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
  • Time for the new EES border check (below).

Many airlines and some countries are stricter, so check your passport now: Passport validity checker →

What ETIAS will be

  • An online authorization, not a visa. You'll apply on the EU's official site before traveling.
  • A €20 fee, with no fee for travelers under 18 or over 70. They'll still need an approved authorization.
  • Valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, for any number of trips.
  • Required for about 30 European countries, including the Schengen countries.
  • Linked to your passport: if you renew your passport, you'll need a new ETIAS.

Already in place: the EES border check

The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) began rolling out on October 12, 2025, and has been fully in place at Schengen borders since April 10, 2026. It registers non-EU travelers at Schengen borders. It replaces passport stamps.

  • On your first entry, border officers take your fingerprints and a photo, along with your passport details.
  • There's no application and no fee.
  • Allow extra time at the border, especially on your first trip since EES started.

EES isn't ETIAS. Many websites mix them up.

When ETIAS starts

  • The EU will announce the start date several months in advance, on its official site.
  • A transition period is planned after launch, so travelers have time to adjust.
  • We'll update this guide as soon as a date is official.

Questions

No. ETIAS isn't operating yet, and no start date has been announced. For trips today, Americans need only a valid passport for stays of up to 90 days.