When will ETIAS authorization be launched?
ETIAS authorization will soon be mandatory for visa-exempt travelers wishing to enter the Schengen area. In 2026, ETIAS is still not in force. The launch of the system has been repeatedly postponed by the European Union.
The European Commission is now planning the official launch of ETIAS for the end of 2026.
The system will enable travelers from ETIAS-eligible countries to request an electronic authorization online before their trip to Europe. Applications must be submitted online via the official ETIAS website or the dedicated mobile application.
The new system is designed to improve border security and control short-term stays. More official information is available on the European Commission website.
When will ETIAS be mandatory?
ETIAS is scheduled to come into operation in the last quarter of 2026. Travel authorization will only become mandatory in 2027, after a transition phase.
The European Union is planning a gradual roll-out. The current timetable is as follows:
- End 2026: launch of the ETIAS system in 2026
- 6-month transition phase: Travelers are encouraged to apply, but entry is still possible without ETIAS.
- Additional grace period: some entries without ETIAS are still tolerated, particularly for first-time entry into the Schengen area.
Only then will ETIAS become a strict requirement for entry into the Schengen area. In practice, full compliance is expected during 2027.
Launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) by the European Union on October 12, 2025
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated border control system designed to register the entry and exit of non-EU / non-Schengen travellers at the external borders of the Schengen area.
Since October 12, 2025, member states have begun implementing the system at external borders. The roll-out is progressive, over a period of six months, until the system is fully operational for all external border crossings by April 10, 2026.
More information for nationals of each ETIAS-eligible country
See our pages dedicated to obtaining a :