ETIAS Delayed to 2026: What Travelers Need to Know
The European Union’s new travel authorization system, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), has been officially delayed until mid-2026. Originally expected to launch in 2024, the program has faced several technical and administrative setbacks. The delay gives travelers from the United States, Canada, and other visa-exempt countries a little more time before new requirements take effect.
What Is ETIAS?
ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization requirement for visitors entering the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries. It functions similarly to the U.S. ESTA system and is intended to strengthen border security and track short-term stays.
When implemented, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to complete an online application before departure. Once approved, the ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years, allowing multiple short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The process is expected to take only a few minutes to complete and cost about €7 (roughly $8 USD). Most applications should be approved almost instantly, although some may require additional review.
Why Was It Delayed?
The delay is largely due to coordination challenges between ETIAS and the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), a new biometric border management program that will record travelers’ fingerprints and facial scans instead of using manual passport stamps. Since ETIAS relies on data from EES, both systems must launch in sync to ensure a smooth process.
Officials now expect ETIAS to go live sometime in mid-2026, once EES is fully operational.
What This Means for Travelers
For now, travelers from the U.S., Canada, and other visa-exempt nations can continue visiting the Schengen Area without any new paperwork. The existing 90-day stay rule within any 180-day period still applies.
When ETIAS becomes active, all travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to obtain authorization before boarding a flight or crossing a border into participating EU nations. The system will not replace a visa; it simply pre-screens travelers and grants permission to enter for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
What About the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom has already introduced its own system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which applies to visitors from visa-exempt countries including the United States and Canada.
The UK ETA is currently being rolled out in phases and is expected to be fully implemented in 2025. Travelers entering the UK for short stays (up to six months) will need to apply online for authorization before traveling.
The ETA costs £10 and is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers entry to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but it is separate from the EU’s ETIAS system.
What You Should Do Now
Keep planning your European travels as normal. No additional documents are required until ETIAS officially begins in 2026.
Stay informed. Sign up for updates from official sources or through your travel advisor so you’ll know exactly when ETIAS goes live.
Plan ahead once it launches. While ETIAS is expected to process applications quickly, it’s best to apply a few days before your trip.
Check your passport validity. Both ETIAS and ETA require your passport to be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay.
The Bottom Line
The ETIAS delay gives travelers more time before new pre-authorization rules take effect for visiting most of Europe. Until 2026, U.S. and Canadian citizens can continue to enjoy short trips to the Schengen Area without any new procedures.
The key takeaway: ETIAS and the UK ETA are separate systems, and both will soon become part of the new normal for international travel. Staying informed now will make your future European adventures smoother when these programs officially launch.