When Does ETIAS Start? New Date Announced

The European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) have introduced the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), affecting visa-exempt nationals from various countries.

If you’re an American, Canadian, Australian or a citizen of any of the countries listed here looking to travel to most European countries, you must be aware of some new entry requirements.

Previously, citizens from these nations had visa-free travel to multiple destinations throughout Europe. However, due to the ETIAS, they will soon have to follow some additional steps before setting foot in Europe.

I first wrote about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) when the European Union announced its rollout for 2024. But the timeline has slipped—again. ETIAS won’t launch until late 2026, with full enforcement expected by April 2027— much later than originally planned. 

What does this mean for travellers from the U.S., Canada, and other visa-exempt countries? Let’s break it down.

THE EU’S PHASED ROLLOUT: MORE RED TAPE, LESS FREEDOM

The EU’s latest plan is a "phased implementation," which is a nice way of saying they’ll ease the public into full compliance, hoping they’ll barely notice like frogs in slowly boiling water. 

ETIAS becomes optional in late 2026, mandatory for most travellers by April 2027, and fully enforced with no exceptions by October 2027. This slow burn is no accident.  Governments know that if they impose these controls overnight, people may not adapt.

Let’s not forget the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will launch in October 2025. This system will replace passport stamps with biometric tracking (fingerprints, facial scans). By early 2026, your body will be part of the EU’s database—whether you like it or not.

Let’s cut through the nonsense. The European Union claims ETIAS is about security, but if this system were truly designed to stop terrorists or criminals, it would have been implemented swiftly and decisively. Instead, we see years of delays and a gradual rollout—classic tactics to acclimate the public to ever-tightening controls.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO COMPLY 

Once ETIAS is enforced, here’s what the EU will demand:

• Online application;

• €7 fee (around $7.57 USD);

• 3-year validity (or until your passport expires);

• Exemptions for kids under 18 & adults over 70 (but they’ll still have to apply—because of rules).

Supposedly, most ETIAS applications will be processed quickly. However, in some cases, the review process can take up to four days—and in rare or exceptional circumstances, it may extend to 14 or even 30 days.

After applying via the official website, travellers will receive a confirmation email containing a unique ETIAS application number—make sure to keep this for future reference. Once a decision is made, a follow-up email will confirm whether the application has been approved or denied. If denied, the email will explain the reasons, provide details about the appeal process, identify the responsible authority, and note the deadline for submitting an appeal.

WHO DOESN’T NEED ETIAS?

Although most citizens of countries that today are visa-free travel, like Canada and the U.S., will be required to obtain ETIAS authorization, there are a few important exceptions and unique scenarios to keep in mind. 

If you're simply passing through a Schengen airport and staying within the international transit zone, an ETIAS will not be necessary. However, if your travel plans involve staying in the Schengen Zone for more than 90 days within a 180-day period—or if you're travelling for reasons such as work, study, or family reunification—you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa or residence permit instead.

ETIAS delays won't last. Want EU access without surveillance? A European passport is your only escape—and ancestry routes are closing fast. Act now!

CONCLUSION

The EU’s delays don’t change the endgame: a world where governments decide where you can go, when, and under what conditions. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to live like that.

If you still want access to the Old Continent without begging permission from a surveillance system, maybe you should get a second passport to ensure you have another travel document—a critical aspect of any Plan-B. One of the most accessible ways to get a European passport is through ancestry, and many countries still offer citizenship by descent, like Romania, Latvia and Sweden—at least for now. 

The delay in ETIAS enforcement has created a temporary window—one that many people urgently need—to start the process of securing a second passport and continue travelling freely through Europe. Use this time wisely before that window shuts for good.