US travelers planning for a European vacation in the near future can remove one task from their pre-travel checklist, as the implementation of the European Union’s new visa waiver scheme has been postponed yet again.
Previously set to launch in the first half of 2025, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)—which approves travelers from visa-exempt countries for short-term stays in Europe—is now scheduled to “start operations in the last quarter of 2026,” per the official website.
“No action is required from travelers at this point,” the ETIAS website reads. “The European Union [EU] will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”
ETIAS is not a visa in the traditional sense that often requires lengthy applications. It is a travel authorization that can be obtained online and will typically be approved within a few minutes. The requirement is specifically for passport holders from the 59 countries and territories that currently enjoy visa-free travel to Europe, including travelers from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Once launched, ETIAS will be needed to enter 30 European countries. That includes full Schengen members like Spain, France, and Italy; European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland; and future Schengen members such as Cyprus.
Travelers following the ETIAS news closely will likely be unsurprised by this latest delay. The European Commission first introduced the idea of a new pre-entry requirement in 2016, but the program’s timeline has been adjusted on several occasions since then. According to the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, previous ETIAS postponements were due to issues with the new IT infrastructure required to launch the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace manual passport stamping with electronic registration.
Last year, European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper told Traveler via email that ETIAS cannot start until EES is fully operational as the traveler authorization system will rely on EES data to identify potential risks. Now, the official website states that ETIAS will start six months after EES, with the latter expected to launch in October 2025.
**This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date. **
Do Americans need a visa to go to Europe?
While the European Union’s ETIAS has been delayed to 2026, the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement did go into effect for American travelers on January 8, 2025. This means you need a UK ETA if you are traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Although many have compared the ETIAS and ETA systems to visas, Luxury Travel Designer Nathan Cripps says the distinction between a visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an important one to temper any stress travelers may have in regards to the new requirement.
“ETAs have been in use in various countries for many years and are considered simple, easy, and cost-effective,” Cripps says, pointing to countries like Canada and Australia that have made use of ETAs for decades. “The system is designed to make travel to Europe safer and easier, and once up and running it will soon become just another part of the routine.”
How will ETIAS work?
When Europe’s new authorization system is eventually implemented, travelers with passports from visa-exempt countries will have to apply for ETIAS online prior to their arrival on the continent. Unlike traditional visas, the application process for ETIAS is relatively quick and easy—it’s also inexpensive, costing only €7 (about $8) for a three-year approval. All travelers will need to fill out an ETIAS application regardless of their age. However, children under 18 and adults over 70 years old can apply for free.
