The short version: ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors to most of Europe, is not live yet, and as of 28 September 2026 the EU has not announced an exact start date. The official target is still the end of 2026.
What's official
- eu-LISA, the EU agency building the system, says the next steps point towards the launch of ETIAS by the end of 2026.
- The EU's plan, reported by Fragomen, places the launch in the last quarter of 2026, followed by a transitional period and a grace period before the authorisation is strictly enforced.
- ETIAS applies to travellers who don't need a visa for the Schengen area. If you already need a Schengen visa, ETIAS doesn't apply to you.
What's not confirmed
Some unofficial ETIAS websites now say the launch has slipped to 2027. The EU hasn't confirmed that. Treat any site asking you to pay for ETIAS now as a red flag: the system isn't open for applications.
What to do now
- Nothing to apply for yet. Travel to Europe as you do today.
- Check your passport validity. ETIAS will be linked to your passport.
- We'll post an update as soon as the EU announces a date. Follow Uncle Jetlag updates or the RSS feed.
Background: Visa types explained