5 Things to Know About ETIAS, Likely Delayed to 2027

Here’s what to expect and how much the new European fee will cost you 

By

Kimberley Lovato,

 
Updated July 28, 2026
AARP
Updated July 28, 2026
a device screen that reads E T I A S E U travel information and authorisation system
Travelers to most European countries will need approval via the new European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, likely debuting in 2027.
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Key takeaways

  • The planned ETIAS travel authorization for U.S. travelers visiting 30 European countries has likely been delayed until 2027 or later.
  • Travelers will pay 20 euros for ETIAS approval, though applicants 70 and older and under 18 are exempt from the fee.
  • ETIAS, which is not a visa, expires after three years or when a passport expires and does not apply to travel to the U.K.

The extra step travelers to Europe were bracing for appears to have been delayed until 2027 or later. Europe is the most popular international destination for people 50 and older, according to AARP’s 2026 Travel Trends survey.

When it does take effect, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require passport holders from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories, including the U.S., to apply for approval to enter 30 European countries.

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ETIAS is planned as the second of two new European Union travel systems. The first, Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), completed rollout in April. The EES replaces passport stamps with digital fingerprinting and facial scans for Americans and other non–European Union residents. Billed as being “quicker and more comfortable” for travelers, the process initially created massive delays during the busy 2026 summer travel season. Those challenges reportedly led to a rethinking of the ETIAS deadline, as first reported by the Financial Times. The official public timeline has not been updated.

While the new EES process takes place in airports, the application for ETIAS will unfold before a trip — ideally when your travel plans are firm, but before you buy a ticket or book a hotel. 

“Even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa ... you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to revisit them,” says Lael Kassis, vice president of market innovation and development for travel company EF Go Ahead Tours. “If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once.”

Travelers to Europe will fill out the form online or via a mobile app and pay a 20-euro charge (about $23, depending on the exchange rate; free for applicants 70 and older, and under 18). Approval is expected to be quick (as in minutes) and sent by email. But officials warn that approval could take as long as several days or weeks for some people if more information is required. If your passport number or name changed, or if you entered incorrect information, such as the wrong nationality, reapplication is recommended. 

ETIAS was initially proposed in 2016 and adopted in 2018 as part of the European Union’s effort to reduce security and migration risks and facilitate the arrival process for visa-free travelers. It’s been delayed multiple times since.

In addition to keeping current on the official green light, here are five other important things to know.

1. ETIAS is not a visa

“There are reports floating around that this is a visa, which is incorrect. It’s a simple travel authorization, similar to the USA’s ESTA [Electronic System for Travel Authorization] program,” says travel expert Kathy McCabe, host and executive producer of the PBS shows Dream of Italy and Dream of Europe. 

ESTA determines eligibility for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agency checks whether travelers pose any risk to the U.S. Like ETIAS, it is not a visa. 

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Though ETIAS approval won’t require a visit to a consulate or biometric data collection, it does not guarantee entry into a country. As is the case today, border authorities will still verify that each traveler meets the country’s entry requirements. ETIAS allows travelers to remain for a short-term stay (90 days during any 180-day period). ETIAS does not give travelers the right to study long-term or work in the country. 

Approval is not required of transit passengers (people connecting to other flights) who intend to remain in the international transit area of European airports. 

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2. ETIAS does expire

Once your application is approved, it will be good for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can apply for a new ETIAS 120 days before the expiration date. Renewing will be the same process as for the original application.

“As an ESTA holder, my biggest recommendation for new ETIAS applicants is to make sure you don’t forget to apply for it in a timely manner or let it expire,” says Patricia Palacios, cofounder of the Spain-focused travel website España Guide.

“On one occasion, I didn’t realize mine had expired, and I was just minutes away from being denied boarding [a flight to the U.S.],” she continues. “Thankfully, my application was approved instantly on my phone at the boarding gate. Otherwise, I would have missed my sister-in-law’s wedding!” 

3. You will be asked to provide personal and sensitive information 

To apply for ETIAS, you will need: 

  • A valid passport
  • A payment card
  • An email address

You also will be asked to provide information similar to what’s needed when booking an international flight, including your phone number, home address, current occupation, education, the first country you intend to stay in and information about past travel to conflict zones, health conditions that could be relevant to public safety and any criminal convictions.

“We have to remember that our European friends and citizens from other visa-waiver countries have been doing something similar for years when they fly to the U.S.,” McCabe says. “Our government asks for information similar to what the Europeans will now require.”

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4. There is only one official ETIAS website

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has identified more than 100 fake ETIAS websites. There is one official ETIAS website: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. You can apply only through the website or the official ETIAS mobile app, still in development. 

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Once ETIAS starts, intermediaries such as travel agents and tour companies will be allowed to apply on a traveler’s behalf and may charge an additional fee for their services.

5. ETIAS will not work for travel to the U.K., where there’s a separate system and fee  

The United Kingdom expanded its electronic travel authorization (ETA) system to U.S. travelers in January 2025. ETA approval is required of U.S. citizens entering the U.K. An ETIAS will not grant travelers entry into the U.K. 

The ETA approval process is similar to ETIAS’, and costs 20 pounds (about $27, depending on the exchange rate). The approval is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

The U.K. does not require transit passengers who don’t go through passport control to apply for an ETA. 

“None of this is going to be that big of a deal for the majority of travelers,” says John E. DiScala, creator of the travel-tips-and-deals website Johnny Jet, about ETIAS. “My advice: Stay up to date, apply in advance and just think of it as one more thing to put on your to-do list before you go.” ​ 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published Sept. 7, 2023. It has been updated to reflect new information.

Contributing: Berit Thorkelson, AARP

The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Kimberley Lovato is a California-based freelance writer who lives part-time in Europe.

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