Sésame Visa is a private service, not affiliated with any government. ETIAS applications will be possible on the official site europa.eu/etias, at the official fee only.
Europe · ETIAS and EES

ETIAS: what's true, today.

ETIAS is the upcoming travel authorisation for visa-free visitors to Europe. Plenty of websites already sell it. It doesn't exist yet.

Start dateNone officialRemoved from the official site in July 2026. To be announced months ahead.
Official fee€20Free under 18 and over 70 (an application is still required).
Validity3 yearsOr until your passport expires. Stays of 90 days in any 180.
DecisionMinutesUp to 4 days, or 14 to 30 days if more information or an interview is requested.
The only official siteeuropa.eu/etias — not accepting applications yet
Official site

Don't pay for an ETIAS today

EU authorities count more than 150 unofficial websites offering ETIAS, some using the EU flag. No application is processed before launch, so any fee paid now buys nothing. Frontex states that europa.eu is the only official channel, including for intermediaries.

How the rollout will work

  1. Launch date announcedThe Commission sets the date once everything is ready, several months in advance.
  2. Transition period, at least 6 monthsETIAS is requested, but travellers without one can still enter if they meet the other conditions.
  3. Grace period, at least 6 monthsETIAS is mandatory; only a first entry since the transition ended may be tolerated.
  4. Full enforcementWithout a valid ETIAS, airlines will refuse boarding.

Durations from the official ETIAS information pack (February 2026).

Already live: the EES

Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps for non-EU short-stay visitors. On your first crossing: face photo, fingerprints and passport scan. Allow extra time at the border.

Get the launch alert

One email when the official date is published, one reminder before it becomes mandatory. Free, no spam.

FAQ

When does ETIAS start?

There is no official start date (checked 2026-10-17). The European Commission says the system is not in operation and that the date will be announced several months in advance. The "last quarter of 2026" mention was removed from the official site in July 2026; press reports now point to 2027, which has not been confirmed.

Can I apply for ETIAS now?

No. No applications are collected until the system launches. Any website taking an "ETIAS application" fee today is charging you for nothing. The only official site is europa.eu/etias.

How much will ETIAS cost?

€20 per application on the official site (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411 raised it from the original €7). Free for travellers under 18 and over 70, who still need to apply.

Who will need ETIAS?

Citizens of the visa-exempt countries outside the EU, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, the UAE and Singapore. EU citizens do not need it.

Which countries will require ETIAS?

30 European countries: every EU member state except Ireland (including Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania), plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

How long is ETIAS valid?

3 years, or until your passport expires if sooner. Multiple entries, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A new passport needs a new authorisation.

What is the EES that replaced passport stamps?

Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System records non-EU short-stay travellers at the border: face photo, fingerprints and passport data, instead of stamps. Allow extra time on your first crossing.

Checked 2026-10-17 against European Commission (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, travel-europe.europa.eu), Frontex and eu-LISA sources.