ETIAS requires travelers to register

The European Union says ETIAS is still not operating, and visa-free travelers do not need to apply yet. ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026. (europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu) ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, an online pre-trip clearance for non-EU travelers who can now visit without a visa. It will apply to short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) The system will cover 30 European countries and travelers from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories. The official EU site says Americans, Britons, Canadians and other visa-free nationals should wait for the launch date announcement before applying. (europa.eu 1) (europa.eu 2) The European Commission says applications will open only after ETIAS goes live through an official website or mobile app. The Commission says the exact start date will be announced several months in advance. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) The price has changed since ETIAS was first designed. The Commission said in July 2025 that the fee will be €20, replacing the earlier planned €7 charge, and that the new fee will take effect when ETIAS becomes operational. (ec.europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu) ETIAS is part of the EU’s broader digital border overhaul, but it is not the same thing as the Entry/Exit System. The Entry/Exit System records border crossings digitally, while ETIAS is the pre-travel authorization check. (ec.europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu) That first system is already in place. The European Commission says the Entry/Exit System began rolling out on October 12, 2025 and became fully operational on April 10, 2026. (ec.europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu) The current practical advice from the EU is simple: do not pay third-party sites or submit an ETIAS application now, because no official applications are being collected yet. Travelers planning late-2026 trips need the exact launch date, not rumors. (europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu)