European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
Starting from the last quarter of 2026, people from 59 visa-free countries will need to get a travel authorisation before coming to Europe for a brief stay. The authorisation will be processed through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
ETIAS will further strengthen Europe’s internal security by carrying pre-travel screening of visa-free travellers to determine whether they pose a security, illegal immigration, or public health risk.
The entire ETIAS ecosystem is complex and consists of the ETIAS Central Unit hosted by Frontex, ETIAS National Units located in 30 European countries, and the large-scale information system developed and maintained by eu-LISA.
Before travelling
Citizens of 59 visa-free countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before heading to any of the 30 European countries shown below.
It is expected that most applications (about 97%) will be approved automatically within minutes. The remaining 3% will be reviewed manually by the ETIAS Central Unit and the National Units.
Travellers who do not have a valid travel authorisation will be refused boarding by the carrier (for example, an airline, bus or ferry company).
At the border
When a visa-free traveller arrives at a border of one of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS, border guards will scan their travel document data electronically and register them in the EES, triggering a query to ETIAS. If the traveller has a valid travel authorisation, they will be able to cross the border if all other entry conditions are also fulfilled.
Appeal against a decision to refuse, revoke or annul your ETIAS travel authorisation
If your application for an ETIAS authorisation is refused or if your ETIAS travel authorisation is annulled or revoked, you will receive an email indicating the grounds for the decision and the authority that took the decision.
You have the right to appeal: the email will include information as to which European countries you should appeal to and describe the relevant procedure. Appeals are handled in accordance with the national law of those countries.
If your travel authorisation is revoked at your own request, it is not possible to appeal against the decision.
More information about what ETIAS means for travellers from visa-free countries can be found on the official ETIAS website.
Access the ETIAS information pack by clicking here.
