At a glance
ETIAS is currently not in operation. The live EU portal says no travel-authorisation applications are being collected and that a specific start date will be announced several months before launch. Check the official portal before any application or payment.
Is ETIAS required now, and when will it start?
As checked on 17 October 2026, the official ETIAS portal says the system is not operating and gives no specific start date. There is no current ETIAS application to submit.
Earlier EU announcements referred to the last quarter of 2026, but a specific start date has not been announced. Check the live portal before applying or travelling.
Launch arrangements will include transition and grace rules. Their relevance depends on the actual start date and the trip concerned. Read the official guidance for your travel date once launch details are announced.
Who may need ETIAS once it operates?
ETIAS is designed for eligible visa-exempt travellers visiting 30 European countries. That scope includes Cyprus as well as the 29 Schengen countries. Requirements and exemptions depend on nationality, documents and status; use the official eligibility guidance for your case.
A traveller who requires a Schengen short-stay visa follows that visa process. ETIAS does not replace the visa, a residence permit or the conditions attached to either.
The live portal currently lists a EUR 20 application fee, with exemptions explained in the official guidance. A published fee is not an instruction to pay before applications open.
Does ETIAS give me another 90 days?
No. Travel authorisation and permitted duration are separate checks. For an ordinary Schengen short stay, earlier visits still affect the rolling 90/180 allowance. An authorisation does not clear your history or make every proposed trip fit.
Before booking, use the calculator to test the dates, and read when you can return if you have visited recently. The iPhone app retains your own trip history for repeated checks.
How to check an ETIAS application claim
- Start at the official EU ETIAS portal.
- Check whether applications have opened and whether the requirement applies to your trip.
- Read eligibility, fee and exemption guidance before entering information.
- Check the exact domain before giving document details or payment information.
A private website offering information or a future reminder cannot issue a currently unavailable ETIAS authorisation. The Schengen tracker app calculates travel days; it does not submit ETIAS applications.
Continue planning
Check your days before your next Europe visit.
Keep unlimited past trips and current stays free, then test your next itinerary using that history. Travel authorisation and day counting are separate checks.
Questions travellers ask
Is ETIAS required now?
As checked on 17 October 2026, the official EU portal says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being collected. Check the portal again before travel.
Is there a confirmed ETIAS start date?
The live portal does not give a specific start date and says it will be announced several months before launch. Earlier EU announcements referred to Q4 2026; a specific launch date remains unannounced.
Is ETIAS the same as a Schengen visa?
No. ETIAS is for eligible visa-exempt travellers once operational. Travellers who need a visa still follow the visa process.
Can I pay for an ETIAS authorisation today?
The official portal says applications are not being collected as of this review. Check the official status before sharing documents or paying an application service.