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The ETIAS start date has not been announced. ETIAS is not yet in operation, and no travel authorisation applications are being accepted. The Dutch government’s ETIAS page says the EU will announce the start date several months before launch, and it names no date. Meanwhile the Entry/Exit System (EES) is already running: the European Commission says it became fully operational on 10 April 2026. Travellers from visa-exempt countries should treat any website selling an ETIAS application today with suspicion.
In this guide
- Where things stand
- What EES already requires
- Fee and validity
- Who will need ETIAS
- What travellers should do
- ETIAS questions
Where ETIAS stands
The Netherlands says ETIAS will apply to travellers from 59 visa-exempt countries entering 30 European countries for short stays, usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period. VisasNews reported in May that ETIAS remains expected in the final quarter of 2026, that it could slip, and that a six-month phase-in would follow. That article cites no official EU document for the timetable, so treat the quarter as a press expectation rather than a confirmed date. Nothing on the Dutch page confirms it.
What EES already requires
According to the European Commission, EES replaces passport stamping for non-EU nationals on short stays. Each time they cross an external border of the 29 countries using the system, travellers are registered with their name, travel document details, fingerprints and facial image, plus the date and place of entry and exit and any refusal of entry. VisasNews adds that implementation varies by airport and that biometric collection can be temporarily suspended when queues are long. Allow extra time at first-time crossings.
Fee and validity
CIBT, a visa services firm, reports that the European Commission announced a rise in the ETIAS fee from EUR 7 to EUR 20 on 17 July 2025, that the fee applies to travellers aged 18 to 70, and that an approval lasts three years or until the passport expires. CIBT also says the Commission had not confirmed an exact launch date. This is a secondary source, and the Dutch page does not mention the fee, so confirm the amount on the official EU site once applications open.
Who will need ETIAS
ETIAS is for people who can enter without a visa, not for those who already need a Schengen visa. Consider a hypothetical case. Diego is a Colombian chef invited to a food fair in Amsterdam. He does not need a Schengen visa for a short stay today. Once ETIAS is live and the phase-in ends, he would need an authorisation before boarding. Until then he needs only a valid passport and to register at the border under EES. Travellers heading to Britain face a similar tool, covered in our report on UK ETA enforcement.
What travellers should do
Do not pay for an ETIAS application now, because none exists. Check your passport validity, keep return-ticket and accommodation details to hand, and expect biometric registration at the border. Bookmark the official EU travel site and the foreign ministry page for your destination, since the start date will be announced there. For other short-stay rules, see our guide to Thailand’s visa exemption rules, and use our visa eligibility checker to compare destinations.
ETIAS questions
Is ETIAS in force?
No. The Dutch government says it is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected.
When will ETIAS start?
No official date has been given. The Dutch page says the EU will announce it several months ahead. One news report expects the final quarter of 2026.
Is EES already running?
Yes. The European Commission says EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
How much will ETIAS cost?
A visa services firm reports EUR 20 for travellers aged 18 to 70. Confirm on the official EU site when applications open.
Who needs ETIAS?
Travellers from visa-exempt countries making short stays in the participating European countries. Those who need a visa are not covered.
Can I apply for ETIAS now?
No. Any site offering an application today is not an official service.
Sources
- Government of the Netherlands — European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). https://government.nl/topics/holidays-and-travels/etias
- European Commission — Entry/Exit System. https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en
- VisasNews — Despite a rocky EES rollout, ETIAS is still expected by late 2026. https://visasnews.com/en/despite-a-rocky-ees-rollout-etias-is-still-expected-by-late-2026/
- CIBT Visas — EU increases ETIAS fee from 2026. https://cibtvisas.com/blog/eu-increases-etias-fee-from-2026
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